Afternoon all
So thought I would do a little review of the 2024 retro Powerbow Gold that I purchased on its release date. Firstly from what iv seen so far there seems to be a nod towards retro from a few brands and I’m now of an age when I remember vaguely the originals of these when I first started being taken to cricket to watch my uncle. So it’s the retro stickers but that’s about it in terms of a nod to its original shape.
Convex profile about as dome shaped as you can get and similar to the Newbery tour from years gone buy in that I can’t remember many profiles that are this convex so it will certainly be forgiving off centre. Traditional full blade length, handle length and rounded toe but with the modern dimension everyone wants. Edges are 37mm, toe edge 21mm, centre of toe 28mm and shoulder 20mm. Blade widowhood isn’t to bad at 106mm all the way so it’s the same width at the shoulders, centre of the bat and toe and once you added a layer or two of edge tape you would get the 108mm width. Back of the bat also 106mm and edges are flat so none of the tricks often seen from bats made in Asia and sold via mainly retailers or those that must ensure scale weight is achieved. Handle is medium to thin in my opinion it’s not Keeley skinny nor is is GM thick somewhere in the middle. To my mind would benefit from a second round of binding or a thicker twine binding and that will aid the pick up.
Onto its pick up it’s ok. The bat weighs 2lb 9.4oz which for its shape, dimensions and supposed grade is fairly decent specs for a 2lb 9 bat but could certainly be made better with the addition of a 2nd grip if that’s your chosen method but personally I’ll change the binding and much prefer a single chevron set up.
This is the 3star model which is £175 i believe RRP or that price from GN direct, £140 at retailers GN grading I much be honest I know very little about and would assume at this price point in the range would be G3 or G4 but as they grow there own willow etc who knows. I would say from what is often sold these days this could be classed as anything from G1 ( plenty selling 6 grain blemish free clefts as G1 these days) but for me it’s a solid G3. Performance straight from the off is pretty good tapping up a new league ball it responds well albeit with an element of a former feel as you would and should expect from a mass produced retailer bat but as is often the case in my opinion GN very rarely get the pressing and performance elements of there bats wrong and to me are the most consistent of the large mainstream brands on this point.
Only really gripe for me is the powerspot sticker doesn’t work on this shape in that it cracks or has torn already or was cut/slashed at the factory to make it fit. For me GN have so many models and sticker options to choose from you will always find something you like just a shame they couldn’t find a better solution as the colour and design for me really works on this bat.
Overall pretty happy with it and for the price can’t really grumble and if ever given the time of proper preparation, knocking in etc will be a lovely bat for sub £150