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[GJ]

Was thinking today as to what people think of custom companies and what defines a custom company. Is it one that you give specs and makes you a bat (eg through internet or phone) or is it one that involves you in the whole job? ie. pressing right the way through to labelling with you there...

Which brings me on to the next question of how many batmakers on here/that are left today that offer the whole package of going right the way through the process with you there? Would people pay the extra money to do this? I would far rather be involved right the way through and I think that is what a true custom experience is. Interested to hear peoples views on this and what they think is a 'custom' made bat.

[Talisman]

Well I can fully custom make with a choice of handles too, but I don't make them myself but I do select the willow personally and a lot of people make these claims with no ability to back it up.

[Tom]

How would one back up such claims? For example how would you back up that you can custom make a bat with you choosing the willow and handles?

I'm not saying you don't, my point is if I were a consumer how would you know who does what and who is telling the truth?

[niceonechoppy]

How do you grade each bat Mike, on performance or Aesthetics. As some batmakers/companies have different styles for grading....

[tim2000s]

Don't SAF and H4L press their willow after acquiring it from someone like Mike? Or do they have their own willow?

[Talisman]

How would one back up such claims? For example how would who back up that you can custom make a bat with you choosing the willow and handles?

I'm not saying you don't, my point is if I were a consumer how would you know who does what and who is telling the truth?

Because I can get a bat made to spec and have sold a few to forum members you hopefully will attain to this, 12 grains with a strip of heartwood and a whippy handle etc, I do try and be honest and state here and privately that I do not advise having any pressing other than the one given by the batmaker as it will be as close to perfect as is possible.

I will grade a bat by performance but please remember that 12 straight grains without a blemish will play better than a 4 grain bat with a blemish slap in the middle of the face. For me density is first followed by grain cleanliness and tightness.

[GJ]

I assume you have set up a workshop now and press the timber yourself too. Interesting that you offer a choice of handles too as i dont know of any other companies that offer this service, quite unique!
With regard to the 'custom service' you offer i assume the price increases significantly for thisand do many use this offer?

[jonpinson]

Because I can get a bat made to spec and have sold a few to forum members you hopefully will attain to this, 12 grains with a strip of heartwood and a whippy handle etc, I do try and be honest and state here and privately that I do not advise having any pressing other than the one given by the batmaker as it will be as close to perfect as is possible.

I will grade a bat by performance but please remember that 12 straight grains without a blemish will play better than a 4 grain bat with a blemish slap in the middle of the face. For me density is first followed by grain cleanliness and tightness.

Tis true, Mike can get his man to make to any spec, including some rather special ones.

[Talisman]

I am not a bat maker, I am simply not able to do it time after time at the speed required. I have my bats made by a few choice people and they make them to my requirements, I also will sometimes get the chance to buy a few spare bats at said establishments and offer them on here.

Custom made bats are great if you cannot get what you want off the shelf but I think 95% of us can, however the price is no more for a custom than a top off the shelf as no more work goes into it than a normal bat. My top price will be reserved for something that is quite simply outstanding in every department, rarity value rather than it costing more to make.

[jonpinson]

I am not a bat maker, I am simply not able to do it time after time at the speed required. I have my bats made by a few choice people and they make them to my requirements, I also will sometimes get the chance to buy a few spare bats at said establishments and offer them on here.

Custom made bats are great if you cannot get what you want off the shelf but I think 95% of us can, however the price is no more for a custom than a top off the shelf as no more work goes into it than a normal bat. My top price will be reserved for something that is quite simply outstanding in every department, rarity value rather than it costing more to make.

Speaking of which, check your pm's when convenient.

Edit, or don't

[Tom]

Because I can get a bat made to spec and have sold a few to forum members you hopefully will attain to this, 12 grains with a strip of heartwood and a whippy handle etc, I do try and be honest and state here and privately that I do not advise having any pressing other than the one given by the batmaker as it will be as close to perfect as is possible.

Mike, that doesn't back up that you select the willow personally.

How do people here know who is and isn't a batmaker? How do they know who talks big but really isn't that big? How do they know who presses which bat and how hard?

Do we all read too much into who's the best (after all who is?) should the focus be on getting a bat which performs well and suits the person using it.

[Talisman]

You are in a very philosophical mood tonight Thomas, the market has been ramped up massively with baseless claims about more power and speed but essentially the simple things are the biggest factors in making the match between man and bat perfect, willow, pressing and shape.

As for who is the best, this is a cricket geek forum and so it here at least should be important to know the opinion of members.

[jandgcricket]

Please don't remind us Mike!  It's just an addictive forum where we all talk about...........Well, Cricket.  DOH