Topic: Dry bats (Read 1143 times)

Gingerbusiness · « **on:** October 27, 2013, 11:43:10 AM »

Hi all,

As some of you may have realised by now, I go through a lot of bats, mainly ones I find to refurbish and sell on.

Recently, I have had a few Indian/Pakistani bats come through the door - the wood is so incredibly dry! I have had to give them three or four coats if linseed, just so they are supple enough for a solid knocking in, and even then I wax them thoroughly after the knocking and then face sheet them to keep the moisture in - otherwise I have seen some absolute horror shows in terms of cracking and breaking if not prepared thoroughly.

My question is, does this come down to the drying process or just a lack of care in prep from the bat makers themselves. I just want to clarify, I am not talking about ALL Asian bats, just a fair few seem to be coming on the market which are very dry.

Ryan · « **Reply #1 on:** October 27, 2013, 12:11:48 PM »

I've seen pictures of willow being stored on the roof in the baking hot sun. This in combination with drying to the normal 8/9% moisture content at the willow distributors will reduce the overall moisture content of some Asian bats and in turn increase the likelihood of a breakage.

Number 11 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 28, 2013, 01:05:07 AM »

I'm not surprised really, generally hot dry countries, first coat of oil locks out most moisture.
Recently got a new Amplus, weight in at a tad under 2 lbs 10 oz. Then the weather changed and the rain came, weighed again at 2 lbs 10.5 oz. My old Warsop also gained exactly the same amount due to the extra moisture in the air.
What surprises me is that these dry Asian don't seem to have moistened up. I suppose it depends on how they're kept and treated throughout the season.

smilley792 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 28, 2013, 07:09:06 AM »

This is an interesting subject and something I have discovered recently with my mb laminate Malik.

I have a cheapo moisture content device. Cheap as in it was �6 form lidl, so I take the readings as a simple reading/monitor not as calibrated.

Most my bats come up as 6% on it! all 5 b3 identical. Puma, gray nics, gn are all 6%

My two mongooses are at 9%, as is my kahuna! but I use them in the rain, so could explain.

My ss ton is 4%

Then there's my mb Malik laminate, it came up as 0% on both pieces of wood.
Thought this is very very dry, so oiled it, but it didn't want to take the oil?

Started to knock it in and it started to crack. Seems this bat has been lacquered in someway, probably water down pv glue by looks and feel,

So scrapped a bit off and bang the moisture meter on, 1.5% so still very dry.

Need to remove the laquer to give it a good oil, but don't really wanna, as it takes the painted stickers off, and I hate blank bats(non stickered not the sponsor)

IQ · « **Reply #4 on:** October 31, 2013, 01:37:37 PM »

OP, which bats did you find to be dry?

For me, mostly the Pak bats look and feel over dried. Especially the last few years. All bats need to have Big profiles @ super light weight issue.

Also, the really dry bats seem to go well, it seems. For how long they live is another story. Lol

Gingerbusiness · « **Reply #5 on:** October 31, 2013, 01:39:32 PM »

I've had a few CAs which are drier than the Sahara!

MB Malik and SS on occasion haven't been too amazing either.

Author Topic: Dry bats (Read 1143 times)

Gingerbusiness

Dry bats

Ryan

Re: Dry bats

Number 11

Re: Dry bats

smilley792

Re: Dry bats

IQ

Re: Dry bats

Gingerbusiness

Re: Dry bats