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[Chad]

Right, so here are a few queries I have had for years:

1. I like to put faceguards on most of my bats, as this lengthens their lifespan. However, I oil them before I put on the faceguard, normally 2 or 3 coats, occasionally just 1. Does anyone know if this affects the performance, as I notice that Julian Millichamp doesn't oil the bat beforehand, as it sticks better to the bat without oil. I did ask him this question, and he said he did not know if oiling or not oiling before applying a faceguard affected performance. Normally I leave the bat for a few days after oiling before putting on the faceguard and then knock it in, and have never really had a problem with them sticking onto the bat. Edge tape is a different story however...

2. What are the best faceguards? I use hammeredge normally as they are by far the sturdiest I have used. I know that JM only uses the best materials for his bats, so I asked him how much it would cost him to get his style of faceguards and if there are any like it in the UK. He actually has the logs of scuff sheet made specially for him, and said I could order through him, but it would cost me 770 AUD per log, and I would have to order 2. This is excluding shipping and import charges, so this is obviously a little too expensive, even for a guy with 20+ bats. He did however give me an alternative, which is helicopter blade tape from 3M UK. Any idea about how they are like? Are they just the same as hammeredges? I would like a roll of very high quality anti scuff that I can cut to length, as I feel that the some of the hammeredge sheet gets wasted, especially on bats with large stickers! Oh, and also, my teammate mentioned that he found that the hammeredge sheets hindered the performance at the beginning, but after lots of use, the bat responded just as well, if not better than it used to.

Sorry for the long post, but it has been bugging me for a while. :S Also getting a few new bats, so would be useful to know what to do.

[Chad]

Anyone able to answer my question?

[Number4]

1. I honestly can't see how oiling it and the scuffing will affect performance unless its overoiled

2. I think I seen on here somewhere a while back that Duck & Run sell scuff sheet rolls. I think helicopter scuff are quite good

[Chad]

1. I honestly can't see how oiling it and the scuffing will affect performance unless its overoiled

2. I think I seen on here somewhere a while back that Duck & Run sell scuff sheet rolls. I think helicopter scuff are quite good

Ah right, any idea if they are any good, the Duck & Run ones? I would get a helicopter scuff sheet roll if I knew where to get some.

[Blazer]

Keiron @bulldog cricket used to have them. It would also be worth getting in touch with 3M directly.

[Simmy]

never oiled any of my bats buy them stick a scuff sheet on them use them...

dont even bother knocking them in..

[Blazer]

I oil and fine sand before sticking on the scuff sheet.

[trypewriter]

I'm no expert, but I think you can oil before applying sheet or not - your call. I have been advised that if you don't oil first, the scuff sheet should be removed at season's end and the bat oiled then.
The obvious conundrum is, should you remove the scuff sheet at every season end to apply oil?

I've got hammer edge on a bat and it doesn't seem to be detrimental to performance.

[tushar sehgal]

I'm no expert, but I think you can oil before applying sheet or not - your call. I have been advised that if you don't oil first, the scuff sheet should be removed at season's end and the bat oiled then.
The obvious conundrum is, should you remove the scuff sheet at every season end to apply oil?

I've got hammer edge on a bat and it doesn't seem to be detrimental to performance.

I do. I oil / knock my bats every winter (couple of months before the start of season to get through all the bats i have in time). Brand new bat gets a coat of oil, 24 hr soaking period and then repeat (total of 3 times). Then start knocking for abt 20-30 mins a day depending on how much time i have for abt 4-5 days and then apply the sheet.

End of season/winter oiling is usually just remove the sheet, very carefully, light sand, 1 very small coat of oil, apply scuff sheet and give it 20-30 mins with the mallet once.

On bats that have not had this treatment from me have developed cracks etc, mind you there is heat on here in canada during winter months so i find it important to do these steps.

[Buzz]

there are a few threads on this subject, so it may be worth doing a search.

in simple terms, linseed oil seals the bat by stopping moisture from leaving or entering the willow.
the faceguard will also do this, plus it will protect the face of the blade from some of the damaging impacts from the ball.

So you can oil, leave to dry and then put a scuff sheet on, but for most UK made bats you wont need to do that. If you have a very overdried Asian bat, it might be worth doing the oil first as it will further help the bat last (I think).

Oil also improves the appearance of the grains!!

[Chad]

Thanks for the input guys! I agree with oiling and how it improves the look of the grains Buzz! Aren't the 3M UK ones just the same as Hammeredge? I see the logo on the part that peels off. They are easily the best faceguards that I have used, but was just wondering if there was anything better that comes in rolls or even hammeredge rolls. I never replace my scuff sheet unless it is dead haha.

[tushar sehgal]

Thanks for the input guys! I agree with oiling and how it improves the look of the grains Buzz! Aren't the 3M UK ones just the same as Hammeredge? I see the logo on the part that peels off. They are easily the best faceguards that I have used, but was just wondering if there was anything better that comes in rolls or even hammeredge rolls. I never replace my scuff sheet unless it is dead haha.

Self healing ones are nice too, I don't know how they work but like the fact that they are a bit strechy so fit well on bats. They do get dirty (ball marks etc) quicker than hammer edge sheets

[trypewriter]

I think someone posted a link on here with Julian Millichamp (Screaming Cat) talking about bats, oiling, scuff sheets etc. Very interesting, though the part where he saws a bat in half to show just how far the linseed HADN'T penetrated must have bought tears to the eyes of many on this site. You can almost hear the cries of NOOOOOO! as you watch him do the deed!