Topic: 2 Northern Monkey Specials (Read 4852 times)

Chad · « **on:** May 12, 2021, 10:53:31 PM »

Not really a review as of yet, but more just some pictures and also a wee write up of these 2 stunners. (Just a wee one, nothing too verbose until later, as it's late)

I reached out to Mark back in 2019, enquiring about a potential purchase. I've been following his batmaking thread ever since resurfacing on the forum, and had been very impressed with what I had been seeing. In fact, he was on my list of 2 of the last batmakers I'd like to try before really trying to pull it in on expanding the collection. (Robert Pack is the other)

Anyways, lockdown happened, and I had been buying bats like crazy. I had kept in mind that I said that I would drop him a message when I felt ready to buy, so of course, I dropped him a Whatsapp, and we discussed some things regarding when he would get the willow in, etc etc. I don't think I really specified a shape or anything, just that I wanted a stick around 2.10 and wouldn't mind a shorter blade setup to pack more wood in the hitting area. I just trusted Mark knew what I'd like, knowing what kind of bats I generally go for and knowing that he likes to make bats that are BIG, and trusted him with the shape. I had initially just wanted to take 1 bat, but the first one he made he accidentally took it down to 2.7. He had another pro cleft in, so told him just to shape that one up too, and I wanted it finished at around 2.10. Was told the 2.7 was an absolute belter, so decided to take both.

I picked blue stickers and pink stickers. The blue stickered bat is 2lb 7oz, while the pink one is between 2lb 9.5oz - 2lb 10oz. Both don't fit through the gauge, and I can see why he was also a bit shocked the blue one ended up as light as it did... (Also, both full width)

Anyways, enough of my blabber for now, I'll go into more depth with that at a later date. Here are the pics, I tried to be a little different with them in terms of times of day, etc. Dunno if it's too much different, but hey, at least this got me to give the piano a good clean!

Big thanks to @Northern monkey for making me these 2 beauties. The finishing on these would put many full time batmakers to shame. The flow of the shapes and clean lines are just so aesthetically pleasing, and Mark is a good nut, so the whole experience was great one.

potzy248 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 12, 2021, 11:08:28 PM »

I've missed that piano.

Bats look awesome.

Northern monkey · « **Reply #2 on:** May 13, 2021, 09:33:17 AM »

Glad you like them both Chad,,,the 2.7,one, was a monumental balls up, which I will never forgive myself for, but hey ho, I won�t make that mistake again
Pictures look amazing, and I appreciate the time it must have taken to photograph them..

I�ll be honest, there were a few I always wanted to make bats for on here,,,Simon May was a big help in me starting out and It was nice to make him a few bats,,but you, JB,Brucie,and Pete Hosk all had collections I�d lusted after on here for years,,,so to be able to make for you guys,,and others on here, has been a real pleasure,,,,and maybe pushed me towards doing this as a day job going forward.
Thankyou

Mark

procricket · « **Reply #3 on:** May 13, 2021, 10:32:12 AM »

That blue one I like I like alot looks top quality craftsmanship from a Northern man in the South

Author Topic: 2 Northern Monkey Specials (Read 4852 times)

Chad

2 Northern Monkey Specials

potzy248

Re: 2 Northern Monkey Specials

Northern monkey

Re: 2 Northern Monkey Specials

procricket

Re: 2 Northern Monkey Specials