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[nicks]

How difficult is it to clone a bat? Is it something that can be done by most bat makers or is it a relatively more specialised skill?

I have an old bat which is nearing the end of its life but is perfect for me in terms of performance and feel. I guess most people normally take the old bat along to a shop and compare the bats until they find one that is almost identical. I'd be interested to know if many custom bats are made to match older bats. Not in terms of the look of the wood, simply the shape, performance and feel of the bat.

[Coach]

Most good bat makers should be able to do this for you

[Buzz]

"Dolly the bat" has to go down as one of me favourite ever thread titles.

Apart from that, largely yes, but as every tree is different, the bat will never be totally the same, but you wil be able to get a bat with the same shape and middle position, then you have to hope that the density of the wood is similar, the handle is similar and that it has been pressed well...

[Talisman]

All possible variations can be copied, but in order to get them all to match you need to find the same density willow as Buzz points out, also bear in mind that we all change our grips and add anti scuff, oil and other sundries that change the feel and weight of a bat, don't get too hung up on more than shape and feel.

[nicks]

Thanks for the advice. I think the shape, where the weight and volume of the wood is positioned is the aspect of the bat I'd like recreated. Well, so long as it's not a complete plank and meets a pre-mature end due to bad genetics.

[Talisman]

What bat are you using?

[nicks]

It's a GM Maestro.

[Talisman]

Ha, my Rugby captain is after one.... maybe time to get a newer shape, I think after last week I can confidently say that GM have moved on shape wise and you would get a better bat by swapping to a new model with a comparable feel.

[nicks]

I think I might be too emotionally attached but I'll certainly try out some of the 2011 bats.

[Buzz]

It's a GM Maestro.

Awesome - I loved those bats, I went through 2 of them!
Given that your bat must be at least 5, probably 10 years old, I would put the sentimentality aside and get a shiny and new bat. You will be amazed at the difference in a modern bat, even to one 5 years old.

[19reading87]

Dolly the bat - brilliant