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[Jaffa]

I do make from scratch but I have a profiling machine that shapes the back ,I see it as progress, which saves hours of work and I find helps my business in that I can produce more bats ,when you make them all yourself any modern machine that can help push your business , why not? No bat maker truly  handmakes every bat ? If they do then every cut would be done by hand and no machines to cut the splice ,press the blade , drum sand ?

Matt, I was trying to think what made me come to the conclusion that your bats came already with handles attached. It has to do with this IJC vid about 3,30mins in where you talk about time saving methods. That bit stuck in my mind. The parts where you show how strong a cleft/handle combination is without any glue and where you can clearly see two boxes next to each other. One box full of clefts with the V cut out ready to accept the handle and the other with the two combined erased itself from my selective memory. My apologies.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-AuCmDezBs

[fasteddie]

I do make from scratch but I have a profiling machine that shapes the back ,I see it as progress, which saves hours of work and I find helps my business in that I can produce more bats ,when you make them all yourself any modern machine that can help push your business , why not? No bat maker truly  handmakes every bat ? If they do then every cut would be done by hand and no machines to cut the splice ,press the blade , drum sand ?

I can concur with Matt. I've had the pleasure of visiting his factory/workshop and seen him at work.

[Jaffa]

I can concur with Matt. I've had the pleasure of visiting his factory/workshop and seen him at work.

Have you seen "Catch me if you can" recently FF? 

I must also agree, I have two Hattori's.

[ItsJustCricket]

Having visited both workshops, I can say that Matt certainly does a lot more than John at Woodstock!

[Ryan]

My understanding with the most of the boutique bat makers is that while they may or may not physically insert the handles or press the bats, it is done to their spec.

No all of us shape part made blades, however I don't currently have a press so outsource that. Hopefully that will change in the near future. 

As business grows it's impossible to keep up with demand so I agree that machines like what matt mentioned help keep up with demand. I certainly would if the demand was there, it just makes business sense. 

[johnnyw]

Got a woodstock harrow bat in for repair today. I can tell its 100% pakistan made even though it has a made in england sticker on it

[Red Ink Cricket]

Played against a guy with a Woodstock the other day, couple in the team had them. He said  that John was head bat maker at newbery but left to run his own business. Was news to me.

A lot of brands have their junior bats made in India/ Pakistan as it sometimes isn't cost effective to do it themself and make a decent profit. There are obviously others that don't do that. I don't make many junior bats but when I do they are hand made, I know Matt makes his too.

[johnnyw]

I have no issues with brands outsourcing junior bats as I know alot do so. My problem is that this bat as a "handmade in england" sticker on the back of it

[Red Ink Cricket]

I have no issues with brands outsourcing junior bats as I know alot do so. My problem is that this bat as a "handmade in england" sticker on the back of it

I guess honesty would be good in that situation rather than misleading. I guess the average buyer wouldn't care and wouldn't notice any difference. It doesn't mean it's a bad bat just not what you have paid for really

[SOULMAN1012]

Played against a guy with a Woodstock the other day, couple in the team had them. He said  that John was head bat maker at newbery but left to run his own business. Was news to me.

He did used to work for Newbery but not as head bat maker he was part of the sales team at Newbery for a while.

[Red Ink Cricket]

He did used to work for Newbery but not as head bat maker he was part of the sales team at Newbery for a while.

That was my understanding too. Almost couldn't stop laughing when he told me.

[petehosk]

So who told your mate that John was head batmaker at Newbery in the first place?
Was he told by someone at Woodstock or was it simply a misunderstanding?

[GarrettJ]

some bloke called John makes Woodstock, he uses his skills to produce a bat that can be used in a match. Does he do everything? ......... no.

I think only 3 companies truly do everything. A cricket bat is made from willow, so if you dont grow your own willow and outsource that part are you not classed as being a batmaker as you are using someone else's willow and wihtout it you couldnt make a bat!!

i think anyone who shapes part mades makes bats ... anyone who stickers up pre made bats (like me) does not make bats.

Simple as that.