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[InternalTraining]

I  don't like alterations made to bats as they change the balance and feel of them. However, I find myself in a situation where I am contemplating alterations to a bat.

The bat in question is a size SH bat but with a long blade. The bat feels heavy, even though it weighs close to 2-12, and the shoulder corner digs into back of my hand when there is a recoil. I am considering shaving/carving 1/2 - 3/4 of an inch of the shoulders to reduce the blade length. It will also bring the weight down to 2-11 (and change).

Have you ever done such an alteration to a bat? How much of an impact did it have on the balance, feel of the bat?

[CrickFreak]

In your case the bat will feel even heavier because you are cutting the toe off which will  result in a thicker toe thus altering the CG and resulting in heavier pickup.
I have tried things in past and realised that to achieve the desired results, the whole blade need reshaping...

[InternalTraining]

Not toe, reducing shoulders since it is an LB.

[mrazvi]

CG would move lower making it a heavier pickup in my view.

[Silver Bullet]

Won't make a massive difference. I've shaved off an ounce off a bat many times, and hardly noticed it from a balance perspective. The thing is, I always take some off the toe, some off the shoulders. I've never done an entire ounce of the shoulders. That'd be my only caution, but no reason why you cannot take half an ounce off, try it out and then decide if you wanna go all the way.

Just to make sure though, I'm talking about shaving the shoulders as opposed to cutting them off.

[Chad]

I'm not entirely sure, but I reckon it should be okay. It should in theory shift the balance point slightly down the blade, but in terms of feel, I'd imagine the weight loss will counteract the balance change, especially if it's quite a small amount. If it helps you grip slightly lower down the bat because the shoulder isn't in the way anymore, it should improve pick up because it changes where you put your hands.

Dunno if that makes sense, but it should be okay. You normally use a reasonably heavy weight, right?

[InternalTraining]

@Chad, I normally use between 2-11 and 2-12. I can hit fine with a bat that is 2-11 and change. Anything reaching 2-13 alters my timing.  The issue with this guy is that it is actually 2-13 and change, on top of that the shoulder point hits the back of my hand on some rebounds (you know when you defend against a quick and bat rebounds back a little). I am thinking if I sort the shoulder (sand or small cut-and-sand), I could bring the weight down a little and also fix the rebound dig.

[Seniorplayer]

Shaving an ounce of each shoulder is quite a lot it will also make the pickup heavier I would take a little of the shoulders  and also reduce the shoulder point to stop it hitting the back of your hand and then to get the required weight take the remainder off evenly over the bat Without touching the spine  from experience thats the best to retain the bats balance