Topic: Replacement GN F18 (Read 4605 times)

beaver5 · « **on:** August 19, 2020, 06:23:22 PM »

My fantastic Gray Nicolls F18 5 Star Lite finally bit the dust a few weeks ago. Having had one prolific season with it, I made the mistake of lending it to a mate in the nets. He managed to split the toe in half, about 5 inches up the blade. I repaired it myself, gluing and pinning it. It limped on for another season, but finally broke in the nets. It's definitely in the top 3 best bats I've owned, so gutted it's finally gone. I've tried various bats since, including by current match bat a B3 custom, but none has compared. So I've taken a punt on a ebay sports-clearance F18 4 star. It's a bit heavier, but still has a great pick up and the full profile I like best. It has 40mm edges and a spine of about 60mm and although it has a wavy stain running down the outside edge, it actually has 9 very straight grains. I used it on Saturday and scored 27. It sounds quite hard and clearly will take some time to open up, but when I middled it it flew. If it ends up performing anywhere near as well as the old one I'll be delighted. I bargain at just �75. I've attached pictures of my old and new F18's.

procricket · « **Reply #1 on:** August 19, 2020, 07:16:26 PM »

that bat is a great shape and was the inspiration to the B3 bats i got made up called Tonto

very good shape hope you score loads with it.

Whispering Death · « **Reply #2 on:** August 19, 2020, 07:48:24 PM »

Looks great - just wish they'd respond to messages - have contacted many times about grains, edges, etc and never heard anything back unfortunately

beaver5 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 19, 2020, 08:04:14 PM »

Quote from: Whispering Death on August 19, 2020, 07:48:24 PM

Looks great - just wish they'd respond to messages - have contacted many times about grains, edges, etc and never heard anything back unfortunately

Is that the GN sports-clearance store on ebay? If so, then yes I had the same problem. Tried to contact them several times, but no reply. Gave up in the end and just took a punt.

Whispering Death · « **Reply #4 on:** August 20, 2020, 09:19:35 AM »

Quote from: beaver5 on August 19, 2020, 08:04:14 PM

Is that the GN sports-clearance store on ebay? If so, then yes I had the same problem. Tried to contact them several times, but no reply. Gave up in the end and just took a punt.

Yes, guess they're cheap for a reason but would expect slightly better service than that

beaver5 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 20, 2020, 09:47:03 AM »

Quote from: Whispering Death on August 20, 2020, 09:19:35 AM

Yes, guess they're cheap for a reason but would expect slightly better service than that

I agree, but with the fact it was free postage and i could return it I decided to give it a go. I guess as they are producing goods on a large scale they don't need to make the effort.

beaver5 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 20, 2020, 09:52:23 AM »

Quote from: procricket on August 19, 2020, 07:16:26 PM

that bat is a great shape and was the inspiration to the B3 bats i got made up called Tonto

very good shape hope you score loads with it.

I've tried to find the Tonto shape on the B3 website but can't find it. Does it have a number code or would I need to contact them?

e4sby · « **Reply #7 on:** August 20, 2020, 10:19:33 AM »

Quote from: beaver5 on August 20, 2020, 09:52:23 AM

I've tried to find the Tonto shape on the B3 website but can't find it. Does it have a number code or would I need to contact them?

I have one in my garage - i'll get the number later

e4sby · « **Reply #8 on:** August 20, 2020, 10:23:53 AM »

3318

jonny77 · « **Reply #9 on:** August 20, 2020, 11:32:25 AM »

Quote from: Whispering Death on August 19, 2020, 07:48:24 PM

Looks great - just wish they'd respond to messages - have contacted many times about grains, edges, etc and never heard anything back unfortunately

They are obviously pretty big and will have loads of products available not only in cricket, so unlikely to confirm details on grains, specs etc.

One of the benefits of going with a smaller brand or forum sponsor I suppose. You pay a bit more than a clearance section or from Online Stockist etc, but you can see what you'll get. Or you pay less and take a punt, nothing wrong with that tho as it obviously serves budgets. But difficult to get that level of service on the cheap imo.

Bat looks great mate, hope it goes well

Jimbo · « **Reply #10 on:** August 20, 2020, 11:59:32 AM »

Quote from: beaver5 on August 20, 2020, 09:52:23 AM

I've tried to find the Tonto shape on the B3 website but can't find it. Does it have a number code or would I need to contact them?

Give them a ring mate, I called B3 up about one of their sale website bats and they were brilliant. Ran me through the pros and cons, suggested a few options and ultimately suggested I'd be better off not buying the bat I was looking at. No up-selling or sales tactics, just genuine advice.

Author Topic: Replacement GN F18 (Read 4605 times)

beaver5

Replacement GN F18

procricket

Re: Replacement GN F18

Whispering Death

Re: Replacement GN F18

beaver5

Re: Replacement GN F18

Whispering Death

Re: Replacement GN F18

beaver5

Re: Replacement GN F18

beaver5

Re: Replacement GN F18

e4sby

Re: Replacement GN F18

e4sby

Re: Replacement GN F18

jonny77

Re: Replacement GN F18

Jimbo

Re: Replacement GN F18