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[hilly_2015]

Firstly, Merry Christmas everybody! 

Now... I've been a long term lurker on these forums but I've often wondered how people go about choosing their bats. Like most I was thrust a cricket bat into my hands at an early age, but I've often wondered whether the type of bats I've had have been the best to make the most of my game.

I've had large bats (Kookaburra Big Kahuna - 3lbs+) and I've had smaller ones (Kookaburra Kahuna - 2lbs 8oz - my current one) and all I've really managed to determine from this is that although I can smash balls into the next county with a big bat, my innings were rather brief!

With a much lighter bat, I feel as though I have more control over my shots and I also have the ability to change my shot after the ball has been bowled i.e. jamming down on yorkers, whereas the bigger bat was really 'go big or go home!'. This has been important as I've started facing quicker and quicker bowlers.

This is the first time in a long time that I have a bit of money to buy a new bat and I want to make sure I pick the best one for my game and after reading reviews etc... I have my heart set on a bat from Hell4Leather.

TLDR Version

So... I guess my question is I only have 3 decent shots in my armoury; the lofted drive back over the bowlers head, the late cut and the pull shot.

What characteristics should i be looking for in a bat?

[Buzz]

Look back at your averages over the last few seasons and work out which bat you were most consistent with then look at the weight and middle position of that.

[hilly_2015]

Look back at your averages over the last few seasons and work out which bat you were most consistent with then look at the weight and middle position of that.

Good idea. Unfortunately I don't tend to get new bats often, so I've had my 2lb 8oz Kahuna for about 4 / 5 seasons now.

I've done ok with this since owning it (in my terms!), but I don't know whether that's more down to me getting better as a player, or the bat giving me that little extra 'oomph'.

Lighter bats seem to be working for me, so I'll stick with them, but for those 'types' of shot, is there a certain characteristic that I need to be looking for in a bat i.e. more / less concaving etc...?

[procricket]

I do something similar Phil i look at where the cracks are most on a bat and tend to try and move the middle closer to that for my real bats i use in games

[Andythomo21]

Very interesting post as I've also used various different weighted bats in the past and my strongest areas are the straight drive and the cut shot (not so strong on the pull)!

One of my favourite bats was a GN Sabre 750.  Very light (2lb 8/9oz), old school, small edges and not a big profile at all but an absolute bullet.  Was gutted when it snapped beyond repair a few years back.  Loved square cutting and playing an uppish cut over the infield off quick bowlers with this bat.

More recently I have favoured heavier bats with a mid-low swell that have suited hitting big and straight.  I've got a nice old Nixon (2lb 13/14oz) and a couple of Kippax' I purchased at the end of last season.  I sometimes feel my cutting has been effected by these more recent bats.

I have a B3 voucher, and am looking at getting another lowish grade custom bat made, as I have some stickers at home I want to put on a blank bat.  I'd be really interested to know what shapes/weights people recommend that still gives me the touch behind square and for cutting but also still gives me confidence when on the front foot driving and hitting big, back over the bowlers head?

Thanks,

Andy.

[procricket]

Very interesting post as I've also used various different weighted bats in the past and my strongest areas are the straight drive and the cut shot (not so strong on the pull)!

One of my favourite bats was a GN Sabre 750.  Very light (2lb 8/9oz), old school, small edges and not a big profile at all but an absolute bullet.  Was gutted when it snapped beyond repair a few years back.  Loved square cutting and playing an uppish cut over the infield off quick bowlers with this bat.

More recently I have favoured heavier bats with a mid-low swell that have suited hitting big and straight.  I've got a nice old Nixon (2lb 13/14oz) and a couple of Kippax' I purchased at the end of last season.  I sometimes feel my cutting has been effected by these more recent bats.

I have a B3 voucher, and am looking at getting another lowish grade custom bat made, as I have some stickers at home I want to put on a blank bat.  I'd be really interested to know what shapes/weights people recommend that still gives me the touch behind square and for cutting but also still gives me confidence when on the front foot driving and hitting big, back over the bowlers head?

Thanks,

Andy.

1271

[Andythomo21]

Thanks mate, is that the Trott profile?  What weight does it come out in the average density cleft and is the pick-up generally good?

Thanks again.

[liscon12]

It's a fair beast, the Trott comes out at 2lb 15.5oz using a 400 density cleft.

[procricket]

pick up is brilliant with balance throughtout the blade because of t massive shoulders....

[Northern monkey]

Matt has a lovely hellfire pro in his showroom
One of the nicest bats I've ever seen,,huge sweet spot on it with perfect pick up and balance
Worth whatever matt would take for it, beautiful bat, that I'm still kicking myself for not buying

[Seniorplayer]

Firstly, Merry Christmas everybody! 

Now... I've been a long term lurker on these forums but I've often wondered how people go about choosing their bats. Like most I was thrust a cricket bat into my hands at an early age, but I've often wondered whether the type of bats I've been had have been the best to make the most of my game.

I've had large bats (Kookaburra Big Kahuna - 3lbs+) and I've had smaller ones (Kookaburra Kahuna - 2lbs 8oz - my current one) and all I've really managed to determine from this is that although I can smash balls into the next county with a big bat, my innings were rather brief!

With a much lighter bat, I feel as though I have more control over my shots and I also have the ability to change my shot after the ball has been bowled i.e. jamming down on yorkers, whereas the bigger bat was really 'go big or go home!'. This has been important as I've started facing quicker and quicker bowlers.

This is the first time in a long time that I have a bit of money to buy a new bat and I want to make sure I pick the best one for my game and after reading reviews etc... I have my heart set on a bat from Hell4Leather.

TLDR Version

So... I guess my question is I only have 3 decent shots in my armoury; the lofted drive back over the bowlers head, the late cut and the pull shot.

What characteristics should i be looking for in a bat?

With your 3 shots in mind  and that you will be facing quicker bowlers I would be thinking light pick up with a bow to assist the lofted drive also what you lose in wieght will be offset faster  by bat speed.

[sanredrose]

@hilly_2015 => H4L HellFire bats are a natural fit for anyone who finds themselves at home with Kook Kahuna. I used a Kookaburra Kahuna 1000 - 2lb10oz until it was damaged beyond repair. I got in touch with Paul/Chris at @ItsJustCricket and got a Hell4Leather HellFire G2 - 2lb10oz bat. This bat feels exactly like my Kahuna 1000 in hand. I have almost played one full season with this bat and can confirm this is an excellent quality product from H4L. At this weight it works very well for late cut, pull shots and driving the ball straight back over the bowlers head ...

H4L HellFire Vs Kook Kahuna
Similarities
* Mid sweet spot - roughly around 200 - 220 mm from toe.
* Big edges - 35 to 40 mm
* Spine runs till the toe.
* Balance and pick up feel very similar for the same weight.

Differences
* Kook has a round handle while Hellfire has an oval handle but you can get H4L with round handle. You have to just let the retailer know and they will get it on order from H4L.
* Kook back profile has deep concaving at lower weights - 2lb8oz, 2lb9oz etc. H4L HellFire has very mild concaving. By keeping the profile slightly fuller they seem to trade-off on the edge size. Bat loses 1 or 2mm in edge size but the profile very well makes up for it.

I recently got a H4L Hattori G2 as part of H4L season clearance sale. This one has a mid to low sweet spot with spine running till the toe, 35mm edges for a weight of 2lb 9.4oz. I have started preparing this bat just last week, so i don't have any inputs from a game play perspective.

If you are residing in UK, i would suggest visiting a retailer or H4L with your Kook Kahuna bat. You can just pick up the H4L bat in your hand and get a good feel for it ..
 
Keep watching the H4L section (@hell4leather cricket) of the forum. If they post some sale around new year then you could get lucky ....

[hilly_2015]

@hilly_2015 => H4L HellFire bats are a natural fit for anyone who finds themselves at home with Kook Kahuna. I used a Kookaburra Kahuna 1000 - 2lb10oz until it was damaged beyond repair. I got in touch with Paul/Chris at @ItsJustCricket and got a Hell4Leather HellFire G2 - 2lb10oz bat. This bat feels exactly like my Kahuna 1000 in hand. I have almost played one full season with this bat and can confirm this is an excellent quality product from H4L. At this weight it works very well for late cut, pull shots and driving the ball straight back over the bowlers head ...

H4L HellFire Vs Kook Kahuna
Similarities
* Mid sweet spot - roughly around 200 - 220 mm from toe.
* Big edges - 35 to 40 mm
* Spine runs till the toe.
* Balance and pick up feel very similar for the same weight.

Differences
* Kook has a round handle while Hellfire has an oval handle but you can get H4L with round handle. You have to just let the retailer know and they will get it on order from H4L.
* Kook back profile has deep concaving at lower weights - 2lb8oz, 2lb9oz etc. H4L HellFire has very mild concaving. By keeping the profile slightly fuller they seem to trade-off on the edge size. Bat loses 1 or 2mm in edge size but the profile very well makes up for it.

I recently got a H4L Hattori G2 as part of H4L season clearance sale. This one has a mid to low sweet spot with spine running till the toe, 35mm edges for a weight of 2lb 9.4oz. I have started preparing this bat just last week, so i don't have any inputs from a game play perspective.

If you are residing in UK, i would suggest visiting a retailer or H4L with your Kook Kahuna bat. You can just pick up the H4L bat in your hand and get a good feel for it ..
 
Keep watching the H4L section (@hell4leather cricket) of the forum. If they post some sale around new year then you could get lucky ....

Excellent! Thanks @sanredrose! This is exactly the sort of information I'm after - great to hear from somebody with a similar experience to me too.

I had my eye on the Hellfire, so it's good to know I'm on the right track. Thought about the Warbird but the shorter bat / longer handle put me off slightly. I'm in two minds whether to go for a slightly heavier Hellfire i.e. 2lb 10 oz because reading bits and bobs a lot of people seem to suggest that because the pickup on these are amazing and it picks up like a 2lb 8oz bat anyway.

Truth be told I was hoping that H4L would have a bit of a after Xmas sale on - bit like they did for Black Friday / Cyber Monday but it's gone a bit quiet. I'll do as you say and keep looking to see if they do anything between now and early January.

I live in the North East so getting down to the H4L factory would be a bit difficult, so I might have to deal in emails with them - but hopefully they will be accommodating.

[sanredrose]

@hilly_2015 => Good to know you had your eyes on the HellFire. I reside in US and don't have an option to visit H4L or other retailers in person. I was tempted to buy a heavier version of the bat but opted against it. Kook Kahuna bat with the max trio grip has a thicker round handle compared to other bat makers. Not many use this kind of grip. So i might need to add an extra grip on H4L to get the same size. An additional grip could easily add anywhere between 1~2oz. So waited for the bat and when it came with a dead weight of 2lb9.5oz, removed the H4L grip and added two white grips (one ripple + one chevron) plus fiber glass scuff sheet. The final dead weight is 2lb10.3oz. At this weight with double grip the bat felt very nice to swing around.

Pick up is more of an individual perception and it could vary from person to person. What feels light to me might feel too heavy for you. For me 2lb10oz H4L HellFire bat (double grip) felt like a 2lb10oz Kook Kahuna to me. For me pick up is comparing it to my personal bat of choice.