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[arjwiz]

I have just bought a new SS Ton Gold bat. I paid slightly extra for it to be knocked in by the retailer. He then applied an anti-scuff sheet across the entire face, right up to the sticker.

He suggested that the bat didn't really need oiling if I knocked it in, which I thought was a bit strange.

How do I know that the bat has been knocked in well? And do I need to oil it? I don't think I can anyway, given that there's an anti-scuff sheet on the front (and that oiling is usually done before knocking in).

[WalkingWicket37]

With any new bat it's worth oiling it in my opinion.
As you have a whole face scuff sheet applied, you only need to oil the exposed timber (the edges and back)

To see if it's been knocked in try hitting it firmly, but not waxking it, with a bat mallet. If it doesn't leave an indent then it's probably ready to be played in. If the mallet leaves a dent you need to knock the whole face to even this out.

[arjwiz]

Thank you. I was considering the mallet test. If it does need knocking, is it alright to knock over the scuff sheet?

I'll oil the back edges of the bat. I'll try and post before and after pictures as well.

[WalkingWicket37]

Yes knocking in through the scuff sheet is fine mate.
Looking forward to seeing the pictures 

[The Cricket Boutique]

It would also be a good idea to tap the edges with the mallet, if the edges compress and you notice the scuff sheet coming away from the edges (leaving a little bubble) then I would suggest the bat needs some extra work.

Toe and edges are the most important.