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[Tailendfielder]

Morning all,

First post.

I had a batsmans dream day out yesterday. I travelled from Birmingham to headingly  and stopped at b3, owszat cricket and finished at all rounder cricket as i need a new bat.

I currently own three custom salix bats. I have a 2lb 8oz Ive owned for years a replica of a previous salix. Scored allot of runs but sadly i lent it to a bowler who almost immediately miss timed a toe end shot and split it through the middle. He lent me his 2lb 13oz salix which i scored allot of runs with two years ago. During the close season i had my light bat repaired and had a duplicate of my mates heavy bat made. I just cant get on with the new heavy bat, despite being same shape and size it just feels heavy and i cant cut and pull. Unsure whether to sell or take it back to Andrew to see if anything can be done. My technique fell apart a bit with the light bat as it feels a bit like a tooth pick now and it wont last this season anyway.

I'm at a loss on two counts, how heavy a bat i want and where from. I'm taking a mate to salix on 14th march but I'm a bit torn on whether to get another one and wonder if its a bit dull to use one brand your whole life.

Kipax bats seemed so big that they cant have been pressed properly. I'm unsure exactly what i wanted and it made my visit to b3 difficult because i couldn't be specific. Its also allot of money to gamble as i found out when i got burnt with my last salix. I'm not massively bothered about big edges, white willow and a 1000 grains but id like to get the best performing bat available.

I've always prefered English handmade bats and prefer to keep my custom within England supporting small businesses so i haven't looked at other brands. The only other bat i own is from James laver. I felt i should go meet him when i was there a few years ago.

I realise issues with my technique are not really bat related and i am spending some time with a coach to try and sort it out but i wanna get used to a new bat before the season starts.

Don't really think anyone could help as i need to make a decision but it's doing my head in.

Anyone have similar issues with bat weight or ordering custom bats don't work out?ill post some pictures of my salix bats if i can manage it.

[Vitas Cricket]

http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=33548.0

Won't break the bank if you decide down the road that you've made the wrong decision

[Seniorplayer]

Have you tried Boundary  Sports near Edgebaston cricket ground  you could try out bats  there in different weights
There's also customade at Hawk Stourbridge visitors always welcome.
Also ordering Custom made ( brought  online ) didnt work for me the bat was made to the correct wieght but there  was to much wood near the bottom which threw my timing out.

[nottinghamtiger]

You must have handled hundreds of bats if you have managed to get round that many of the best cricket bat makers/retailers in the country. 
Surely you picked up one that felt "right"?

[Tailendfielder]

Several ..... Juat couldn't make a decision.

[nottinghamtiger]

Several ..... Juat couldn't make a decision.

But did one feel better than the others?  Is there one that stands out?
If not, maybe you will find something at Salix.
My comment would be that if you have been through this many bats without making a decision, it might be unwise to go for a custom made bat as you can't "try them out" before buying.  You can give your specs, but if it doesn't feel "right" you're stuck with it.

[jwebber86]

thats a lot of bats to look and pick up without finding one you like. maybe ask salix or somebody if they have any premade you could pick up before ordering one

[simonmay5]

But did one feel better than the others?  Is there one that stands out?
If not, maybe you will find something at Salix.
My comment would be that if you have been through this many bats without making a decision, it might be unwise to go for a custom made bat as you can't "try them out" before buying.  You can give your specs, but if it doesn't feel "right" you're stuck with it.

That's very true I think you need to go to one off the sponsors and spend an hour their your bound to find one you like the feel off with the bats they will have on offer I think its true you could not like the bat that Salix make to your speck not down to them rather you need to pick a bat that your happy with don't worry about the weight feel how it picks up and then when found one you like stick with it

[Tailendfielder]

Thanks for your comments, i realise this is a decision i need to sort out myself. Moving the thread on a bit, hS anyone ever found u need to adjust your technique slightly when changing bats?

[nottinghamtiger]

Thanks for your comments, i realise this is a decision i need to sort out myself. Moving the thread on a bit, hS anyone ever found u need to adjust your technique slightly when changing bats?

No, I try to get a bat that suits my technique rather than change it.

[Gurujames]

I hear your pain. I was always loyal to SS (Stuart surridge) and had those from size 4 up. though from last season I used a Salix Praestantia from 2006 which I bought 2nd hand. It has small edges and a traditional profile so no-one else likes it. It, like my old Ss's, is a beautiful bat. I recently bought a used Salix 'the edge' (more brand loyalty). Although different to my SS turbo and Salix Praestantia it still feels like a good bat.
I think you get used to a bat so long as it is not too heavy/light for you and so long as you don't blame your equipment for your own short comings. However, SiNce being on this forum I have always fancied an Aldred. Though Vitas's offer with the county's is hard to resist.

[Seniorplayer]

Thanks for your comments, i realise this is a decision i need to sort out myself. Moving the thread on a bit, hS anyone ever found u need to adjust your technique slightly when changing bats?

No wouldn't recommend adjusting your technique if you are scoring runs as
Batting is all about technique timing and positioning and then bats.

[Rob580]

I don't have anything to say on this topic, the Spelling Pedant in me just needed to change the Title.......

[Buzz]

I think you are asking all the wrong questions about this bat.

ask yourself
1. what are the similarities between the two bats you liked - think handle, middle position, pick up
2. what are the key shots you like playing and align this to 1.

On weight - my gut feel is that you would be ok with something around 2lbs 10 - i.e. in-between the two weights.

now your only task is to decide which stickers you like the most and then approach that brand..

Thanks for your comments, i realise this is a decision i need to sort out myself. Moving the thread on a bit, hS anyone ever found u need to adjust your technique slightly when changing bats?

not so much technique - but certainly shots that I play vary with different bats - mostly subconscious though

[SLC]

Phew, I thought I was the only one bothered by that!