@sarg => Very nice bat collection ... Nice work with the re-shaped TON slasher. Reduced shoulder helps pick up ? How does it feel before and after ?
It was a final touch and part of a weight reduction.
I shaved the toe 2-3mm to lighten the pickup and raise the duckbill 1 cm. I then didn't like the TON stamp missing on the toe but showing on the edges. I like clean edges and the willow looked good so i sanded them off. All my SS have been less than 4 1/4 inch so 1/2 mm either side makes little difference.
I then unbinded the handle, removed a tiny bit of bog and made the base semi oval. Rebinding with much thicker 12 ply twine. Whilst there I thought stuff it lets go retro and lobbed off the shoulders after seeing JP Gavan do it to two of Andre Russell's practice bats. I didn't go Newbery Excalibur, more TT.
Pickup is balanced and the bulk of the wood i left in the hitting area. Weight reduction is significant and more weight in the handle helps.
I then made some stickers using photo paper, ms publisher and automotive paint protection film. Took a pic for the Facebook page and 2 days later i took them off.
Still deciding what to do next. Maybe use it.