Sorry for the late update from yesterday. Left my phone in the car so didn't take any pictures (school boy error i know)
It was a really good day. Bit of trek with the wife and kids from Kent to Nottingham but made decent time and got there just about midday. Was greater by streaky who made me a lovely cup of tea before getting down and talking about bats/cricket in general. Went through the process that B3 use and shown me how the design the bats and also talked me through the willow density calculations (which went straight over my head!)
Ended up going for a crown willow bat in the trott shape (also picked up pads and gloves too). Looks an odd profile but the middle on it was pretty much the entire bat. The amount of wood on it is insane and was quite surprised when the bat on display weighed in at 2.11 on the nose. Asked about the top shelf and was shown a few beauties and went for one of these in the end.
Was then taken around the factory and shown the process from clefts coming in to, grading, weighing, machining, finishing, twine and stickers. Asked if they grade on looks or performance and was told initially looks but then performance to ensure a bat performs as it should do.
Saw the butterfly clefts that dave has now posted and some of them looked really good in the flesh.
For those who can make it down to B3 i'd highly recommend it. I'll be honest i was a little sceptical before going about what they did and offer but having been shown what they do and how the company came about i think they really do have potential to grow and grow.
Bat arrives in about a week or so and will post pictures then.
Thanks again to all at B3 and my club mate who arranged it all for me
Defo recommend the trip if you are a cricket badger like me!