Topic: Knocking in heartwood... (Read 1535 times)

Spinflight · « **on:** January 05, 2018, 04:50:29 PM »

Just bought a couple of longblades in Kashmiri willow thinking I'd have a play around with them by shaving a few ounces off here and there. The idea was to get thick edged bats so that I could shape them however I wanted.

Unfortunately one of them seems to be a crackerjack so daren't touch it.

The other is pretty much what I expected with a lot of heartwood on two thirds of the blade. Doesn't seem to be taking a malletting too well, is it just a case of more linseed oil or is there a particular technique for battering the crap out of heartwood?

Gurujames · « **Reply #1 on:** January 05, 2018, 05:02:38 PM »

Adding linseed oil won't help. I'm assuming you are saying the mallet isn't making indents. If this is the case it is because the bat is very hard pressed. This is done to increase the life of th bat to avoid returns to the manufacturer.

Spinflight · « **Reply #2 on:** January 05, 2018, 06:05:13 PM »

Yeah no dents, (No Swearing Please) it hard enough and hair line cracks but doesn't seem to dent at all.

I should point out they were very cheap indeed. I'm trying to figure out what shaped sticker was taken off the better of the two..

Seniorplayer · « **Reply #3 on:** January 05, 2018, 07:00:01 PM »

It's heartwood there's little or no sap so it's naturally hard as well as being pressed just keep going with the mallet.

sarg · « **Reply #4 on:** January 05, 2018, 08:56:12 PM »

I echo @Seniorplayer, but warn that whilst Kashmir is naturally going to crack, bashing it too hard with just create cracks. I find most bats are stiff earlier on in the knocking and then let go as you continue. Progressively increasing your force until you find the right technique for both your chosen mallet and the individual bat is a better approach. Generally, making really deep dents early on will just break the fibres, so ease back and work your indentations out from the centre to the edges and toe. Knocking is not playing in, so your returns will diminish and at that point it�s ready to net.

Spinflight · « **Reply #5 on:** January 06, 2018, 03:00:29 AM »

Cheers chaps..

I've probably just been a bit impatient thus far...

Author Topic: Knocking in heartwood... (Read 1535 times)

Spinflight

Knocking in heartwood...

Gurujames

Re: Knocking in heartwood...

Spinflight

Re: Knocking in heartwood...

Seniorplayer

Re: Knocking in heartwood...

sarg

Re: Knocking in heartwood...

Spinflight

Re: Knocking in heartwood...