Topic: New bat for the season. What to get? CA or H4L? (Read 8183 times)

Rob580 · « **Reply #30 on:** January 30, 2015, 10:31:13 AM »

Hell4Leather.

Why is this even a discussion?

northernboy1987 · « **Reply #31 on:** January 30, 2015, 01:04:06 PM »

I've got a Hellfire Monster which is beastly and just got a team mate a NV not only are they both amazing bats but Matt is very helpful and really easy to deal with! Doesn't get much better in my opinion!

Northern monkey · « **Reply #32 on:** January 30, 2015, 07:31:56 PM »

Never seen or used a CA, but there seems to be a lot of negatives regarding the brand as a whole

Hell for leather are on my wish list,only heard positives about them

FvanN · « **Reply #33 on:** January 30, 2015, 07:48:13 PM »

Not used a H4L yet but my current match bat is a lowly grade ca8000 which performs better than anything I have ever tried before. Will be a sad day when she finally gives up. Think I might try a H4l or bb then.

InternalTraining · « **Reply #34 on:** January 30, 2015, 07:54:38 PM »

Quote from: Northern monkey on January 30, 2015, 07:31:56 PM

Never seen or used a CA, but there seems to be a lot of negatives regarding the brand as a whole

Hell for leather are on my wish list,only heard positives about them

Before joining this forum, I had not heard of H4L (and I am sure they make good bats, although I haven't used one). Like I wrote earlier, there are different markets and brands catering to them. I had heard only positives about CA until I owned one.

So, I wouldn't knock a brand down until I have used it. I own 22 bats, and I have some "negatives" on big names as well.

EaglesCC · « **Reply #35 on:** January 31, 2015, 10:05:14 AM »

Quote from: InternalTraining on January 30, 2015, 07:54:38 PM

Before joining this forum, I had not heard of H4L (and I am sure they make good bats, although I haven't used one). Like I wrote earlier, there are different markets and brands catering to them. I had heard only positives about CA until I owned one. So, I wouldn't knock a brand down until I have used it. I own 22 bats, and I have some "negatives" on big names as well.

InternalTraining, correct me if I'm wrong but the SM-18 you refer to, is one of the pre-release ones? Perhaps even meant for a pro? I have one of those as well. But the SM-18 you're likely to buy in a shop is exactly the same shape etc as any other CA.

I wouldn't recommend an SM-18 based on the one I have purely because I know it's not a production version.

The pics taken at a angle but you can clearly see the production CA TRD is a shorter blade.

Yes CA tend to be bought for their performance but I agree with much of the critisms of CA too. And you can forget about customer service (although that's not unique to CA).

Just my perspective.

smilley792 · « **Reply #36 on:** January 31, 2015, 10:36:20 AM »

I have had 2 ca's, a 10000 plus and a kp big bang. In terms of a cricket bat. They are up there as some if the best I've owned.

But issues with bats can be difficult to sort dependant on where you buy. Stickers aren't everyone's cup of tea. And they are all mainly one generic shape.

The h4l I have is a nice bat, very well made with good ping. I just don't get on with it.
The 1st bat h4l sent me wasn't rright. there customer service was so good I had its replacement in 3 days.
In a world of poor customer service, it's brilliant to see companies that offer great service.

FattusCattus · « **Reply #37 on:** January 31, 2015, 12:20:49 PM »

How do you get on with the Horsey bat Eags? They are CA made too if I recall.

EaglesCC · « **Reply #38 on:** January 31, 2015, 01:55:47 PM »

Quote from: FattusCattus on January 31, 2015, 12:20:49 PM

How do you get on with the Horsey bat Eags? They are CA made too if I recall.

Not sure if they're actually CA made but the owners are brothers. Rumour has it they went separate ways so can't imagine they continue to make bats together...

That said, they are identical to CA's in almost every way. The shapes, the finishing, the quality of stickers etc. But cost less.

Core 5 is their top bat and usually sub �200 where as CA top range is usually �250+

But same cr@ppy service from both companies. I've dealt with both companies extensively and have lost money with both.

InternalTraining · « **Reply #39 on:** January 31, 2015, 02:19:28 PM »

Quote from: EaglesCC on January 31, 2015, 10:05:14 AM

InternalTraining, correct me if I'm wrong but the SM-18 you refer to, is one of the pre-release ones? Perhaps even meant for a pro? I have one of those as well. But the SM-18 you're likely to buy in a shop is exactly the same shape etc as any other CA.

I wouldn't recommend an SM-18 based on the one I have purely because I know it's not a production version.

The pics taken at a angle but you can clearly see the production CA TRD is a shorter blade.

Yes CA tend to be bought for their performance but I agree with much of the critisms of CA too. And you can forget about customer service (although that's not unique to CA).

Just my perspective.

Yes, my CA SM-18 is one of the pro bats and I mentioned that in my review (linked in my original post in this thread). That's interesting that retail SM-18 is not a duck bill, I didn't know that. My point is not about SM-18 though, overall I feel that CA bats have great performance and excellent value for money. I am not denying that the bats are 1/2 inch shorter but I know guys who are 5'10 and 6' tall and happily using their CAs - 1/2 an inch is not a problem for them. [Note: I have some issues with normal "SH" length bats for short adult men, I have custom size 6 bats and use them regularly in matches]. In general, CAs (whether bought via retail or acquired through "friends" - like me) perform great!

Now, in my experience, customer service is relative and local especially for bats. Even with that, I know retail brands like GN have burnt their customers.

InternalTraining · « **Reply #40 on:** January 31, 2015, 02:21:46 PM »

Quote from: EaglesCC on January 31, 2015, 01:55:47 PM

But same cr@ppy service from both companies. I've dealt with both companies extensively and have lost money with both.

You are based in UK. Wouldn't it help if you dealt with a retailer? This is where I feel that retailers' feedback should compel bat makers to correct their short comings.

EaglesCC · « **Reply #41 on:** January 31, 2015, 02:40:28 PM »

Quote from: InternalTraining on January 31, 2015, 02:21:46 PM

You are based in UK. Wouldn't it help if you dealt with a retailer? This is where I feel that retailers' feedback should compel bat makers to correct their short comings.

For a short period I have sold their bats as a retailer if you like. And it's these experiences I'm sharing.

It might seem like these companies are being bashed but for me this is an honest appraisal based on real experiences. The fact of the matter is that in that part of the world quality control and customer service do not featured very highly on both the customers needs or the companies USP.

CA have a captured market and it seems they feel they don't need to please the little people. They don't want to hear this feedback as their retort is simply that their bats are sold all over the world and they must know what they're doing. Fair point.

Don't get me wrong, their bats perform and if you buy from a UK retailer then you're likely to get some honest service. But here a comparison is being made to a smaller UK brand, buying from whom you will get a more personalised service.

I must admit I used to feel differently when I didn't buy from them directly, but these experience have changed my opinions.

InternalTraining · « **Reply #42 on:** January 31, 2015, 03:04:11 PM »

Quote from: EaglesCC on January 31, 2015, 02:40:28 PM

For a short period I have sold their bats as a retailer if you like. And it's these experiences I'm sharing.

It might seem like these companies are being bashed but for me this is an honest appraisal based on real experiences. The fact of the matter is that in that part of the world quality control and customer service do not featured very highly on both the customers needs or the companies USP.

CA have a captured market and it seems they feel they don't need to please the little people. They don't want to hear this feedback as their retort is simply that their bats are sold all over the world and they must know what they're doing. Fair point.

Don't get me wrong, their bats perform and if you buy from a UK retailer then you're likely to get some honest service. But here a comparison is being made to a smaller UK brand, buying from whom you will get a more personalised service.

I must admit I used to feel differently when I didn't buy from them directly, but these experience have changed my opinions.

This is a valid point of view and I agree.

Disclaimer: I have no relationship with any brand nor am I in the bat business. I am a consumer who is looking for the best deals (price and performance) and not knocking one brand over another.

I do feel that I, personally, would overlook some of the criticism that is lobbed at CA or any other brand if it performed well and price was good. I see the brand getting flak in the opinion market but bats are great.

bat dr · « **Reply #43 on:** February 08, 2015, 08:54:19 AM »

As the UK's official aftercare service and repair provider for CA (also SF, Hammer & Ihsan). SQ-SPORTS sell a lot of CA bats from pro and grade 1 down to grade 3 and 4, nearly all have great pick ups and after I personally knock them in, once the edges are rounded off, can't tell the difference in bat width. This year we are now stocking H4L bats, chosen by Matt himself and can testify that they are some of the best bats you can find on the market. Repair wise, CA bats do tend to crack in the shoulder, near the splice, but don't have many face or edge problems. I have had one H4L with major lifting on the face, but maybe just where the player smashed it in the middle too often, (not a bad thing).

Author Topic: New bat for the season. What to get? CA or H4L? (Read 8183 times)

Rob580

Re: New bat for the season. What to get? CA or H4L?

northernboy1987

Re: New bat for the season. What to get? CA or H4L?

Northern monkey

Re: New bat for the season. What to get? CA or H4L?

FvanN

Re: New bat for the season. What to get? CA or H4L?

InternalTraining

Re: New bat for the season. What to get? CA or H4L?

EaglesCC

Re: New bat for the season. What to get? CA or H4L?

smilley792

Re: New bat for the season. What to get? CA or H4L?

FattusCattus

Re: New bat for the season. What to get? CA or H4L?

EaglesCC

Re: New bat for the season. What to get? CA or H4L?

InternalTraining

Re: New bat for the season. What to get? CA or H4L?

InternalTraining

Re: New bat for the season. What to get? CA or H4L?

EaglesCC

Re: New bat for the season. What to get? CA or H4L?

InternalTraining

Re: New bat for the season. What to get? CA or H4L?

bat dr

Re: New bat for the season. What to get? CA or H4L?