Hi Guys,
New to the forum. Found it by accident when looking for a bat that no longer exists (Kookaburra Blade Runner) which is a shame as it was the best bat I'd ever had. Anyway it was cracked near the handle and didn't feel quite right anymore which was to be expected. It was then (towards the end of last season) that I began looking for new bats. I've had a few custom bats previously from Alf at ACE, but he's retired now I believe and the factory at Elland has gone. A mate of mine who plays against Chris Kippax suggested that I try one of his and given that one of my team mates also uses one I took the plunge.
The first one that I had was a 2.7 wavex and just didn't feel quite right. I couldn't get on with it as it just felt dead all over. It did improve a little but I considered it the worst bat I'd had in 20 years. I played 5 games (probably around 100 overs / 300 balls) with it and then a couple of net sessions during which it cracked from halfway in the middle to the oustide edge and around the back (I'd post a photo but this site is coming up with errors).
It was sent back and it was replaced without question (which was good customer service, where many others may have tried to fob me off) and a new one provided. I was sent a 2.10 though instead of a 2.7 like first time around so expect it was a stock one. I wasn't delighted with that but decided to give it a go anyway. Again something didnt feel quite as it should. I needed to replace the rubber after just two matches and carried on using it. 7 games in and around 350 runs this new bat has now cracked about half an inch from the handle both front and back.
I've never had this kind of bad luck with any bats previously and I've had quite a few over the years. I can't imagine that this is how all of the Kippax bats are but to be honest i'm disappointed when you spend nearly £200 on one and it's not lasting more than half a dozen games. Has anyone else had the same problem or is this simply a run of bad luck?
I haven't sent this back yet (a friend is returning it for me) so I haven't had a response. Hopefully it will be replaced again and this time I get a decent piece of wood.
Opinions on the Kippax bats is most welcome.