Topic: Oh custom Gurus! Please advise..... (Read 2184 times)

Fez · « **on:** June 12, 2011, 05:40:56 PM »

Hi,

Firstly, greetings to you all, I'm new on the forum.

I'm currently shopping around for a custom bat since my '06 Puma Stealth 5000 bit the dust on Saturday. I always used to play with one of Bernie Facer's Baronet bats, these were brilliant. When that one gave up, I was a poor lowly student so picked up a Puma in a sale. We had fun together, now time to move on back to the bespoke market...

I've had a good trawl through the forum today to pick little pieces of advice here and there. To break it down, I want to spend roughly �200 on a new custom (which seems average market price). I live near Birmingham so anywhere within reach of here would be a bonus so I can go down to the shop (if there is one).

I have a few questions for you guys.....

1) I've not seen anything on here about Warrior (Wakefield). When I played up in Leeds a couple of years ago, I saw a few of these and they seemed pretty good. Anyone have any experience?

2) Can anyone recommend any particularly good makers in Midlands/Yorkshire (I travel up there regularly)? (I've been looking at Hawk and SAF websites today)

3) Anyone aware of any deals being run currently by any custom producers?

Thanks for taking the time to read, any insight greatly appreciated.

Colesy · « **Reply #1 on:** June 12, 2011, 05:43:55 PM »

Hi Fez, welcome to the forum.

If it's any help, I'm having an SAF built at the moment, it should be arriving soon. I can put pictures up when it comes which might help you make your decision.

Johnny · « **Reply #2 on:** June 12, 2011, 05:47:08 PM »

Hello and welcome!

I believe that Bernie Facer is now involved with Hawk, so that sounds like it may be a good bet for you.

Warrior bats are still knocking about, but I believe the brand was bought off Richard Wensley, the chap who would have made the bats a few years back, so although you may recognise the branding, they're no longer the same bats (iirc).

There are many companies out there that can sort you a custom bat for that price, and there are offers knocking about intermittently.

I use a Laver & Wood which is very good, and as a forum member, you get 10% discount. They're based in New Zealand though, and I don't think they do a custom bat in the �200 price bracket (certainly not after import charges etc...)

Fez · « **Reply #3 on:** June 12, 2011, 05:52:37 PM »

Cheers guys.

Also, what is the general turn around for bats? Most sites seem to advertise approx 3 weeks or less. Obviously this would suit me as I'll be borrowing a bat till I get my new one.

Sounds a shame about Warrior, it would certainly have been prior being bought when I saw their bats.

I forgot in my first post, any experience with VSports bats from Coventry? They seem to be the cheapest customs out there....I assume this is for a reason?

Tumo · « **Reply #4 on:** June 12, 2011, 05:53:48 PM »

On the topic of Yorkshire batmakers, Nick Nixon is based up in Malton (North Yorkshire) and he has a massive consumer base in the middle of England. http://www.nixoncricket.co.uk/Default.aspx There are obviously some other wonderful batmakers about, SAF, Hell4Leather, just to name 2 forum sponsors, and Mike (Talisman) is another who can get you just about any bat in any shape you want! VSports are decent enough, I've never personally owned a bat from them, but they're nice guys, and I've seen a couple of decent ones!

kookaburraking · « **Reply #5 on:** June 12, 2011, 05:55:50 PM »

My Mates warrior ( old one when richard was there) is proberly goes better then any other bat i have ever seen its literally a machine lol but the new warriors are very bad id keep well away , hell4leather the best around .

tim2000s · « **Reply #6 on:** June 12, 2011, 06:09:18 PM »

Can't speak well enough of SAF, H4L or Instinct in terms of getting a custom made up. If you are going to visit, then I'd suggest that, as others have already mentioned, SAF or Hawk are probably best located.

Fez · « **Reply #7 on:** June 12, 2011, 06:37:51 PM »

Certainly looks like SAF or Hawk for me. Thanks for the opinions!

Sent both emails so looking forward to speaking to them.

jonpinson · « **Reply #8 on:** June 12, 2011, 06:48:36 PM »

Don't be upset if they don't email back immediately. Both set ups are not really big enough to have a full time admin person, so it tends to be the batmaker answering emails when time allows.

Simmy · « **Reply #9 on:** June 12, 2011, 08:54:20 PM »

Quote from: kookaburraking on June 12, 2011, 05:55:50 PM

My Mates warrior ( old one when richard was there) is proberly goes better then any other bat i have ever seen its literally a machine lol but the new warriors are very bad id keep well away , hell4leather the best around .

basically what this guy said.

I had warriors and nothing else since i was 14 up untill he rich stopped making bats. the new guys went down hill "ifsports" but i think last year rich went back for a bit and showed them a few things cos they where getting a bad name.

they are now producing decent bats again. but not as good as they where back in the day.

id go H4L or get mike to get you something

Lekka Global Alliance · « **Reply #10 on:** June 13, 2011, 02:41:49 AM »

Solitaire will run you up a custom bat for �100.

Fez · « **Reply #11 on:** June 13, 2011, 07:37:50 AM »

Cheers, for �100 I'm thinking solitare is worth a punt. If it doesn't perform then I'll look to SAF or hawk in the off season.

Solitaire's branding isn't too easy on the eye but then I'm not paying for flashy stickers, just a (hopefully) killer bat!

Simmy · « **Reply #12 on:** June 13, 2011, 07:46:42 AM »

i took a punt with solitaire i asked for 2.7 and it came at 2.12. but it was an amazing bat and it changed me and i now use heavy bats and my batting is much better for it.

really cant stress how much of a performer the solitaire was! are 1st team slipper is using it now

Lekka Global Alliance · « **Reply #13 on:** June 13, 2011, 07:49:28 AM »

Ask for the bat without stickers and a discount and then pick up some legal Puma stickers online for �20+ and you're on the pigs back.

Simmy · « **Reply #14 on:** June 13, 2011, 07:54:57 AM »

tbh fez any of the forum brands will provide a good bat.

ive had

Lekka
Blueroom
H4l
Ayrtek

and tbh they have all been very good bats!

Author Topic: Oh custom Gurus! Please advise..... (Read 2184 times)

Fez

Oh custom Gurus! Please advise.....

Colesy

Re: Oh custom Gurus! Please advise.....

Johnny

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Fez

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Tumo

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kookaburraking

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tim2000s

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Fez

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jonpinson

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Simmy

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Lekka Global Alliance

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Fez

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Simmy

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Lekka Global Alliance

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Simmy

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