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[SAF Bats]

Ok here is my answer to the question....

Pressing is based on the willow.... If you have a piece of willow with lots of grains on it then you'd press the cleft lighter... Why because the grains will already add a certain amount of rigidity / stiffness and therefore it doesnt require the same pressue.  A loose [only a few] grains will require more pressure as you don't have the stiffness you need

a lightly pressed bat in any of those scenarios will not give you extra peformance you'd get a dull thud and a dent....

Ok that all said a lightly pressed bat if done properly will give you ping and if anyone can work what I'm getting at here I should really offer them a prize...

Now I'm going to talk about sound.... If you are lucky enough to have a bat that is in your opinion a pinging machine... Hit it with a mallet and listen then get another bat, if you can, that isn't quite there and hit it and listen.  note the difference in the sound, there is a difference...! If that isn't an option or you are ballsy enough go to a shop with a mallet and pick out a top of range Newbery or Salix [slightly bowed if possible] tap them with a mallet listen and pick out a bat that has gone through a product line note the difference.... The sound difference is related to vibration [energy loss] and therefore ping...

I doubt that made a huge amount of sense but was a good advert for Newbery and Salix's press

[BrianLara400*]

Well I suppose that is all logical, though I attended a demonstration a few years ago in which they tapped up bats seeking those with a nice ring (light vibration was mentioned) to their note when struck with the uhmwpe mallet for their higher gradings. Generally he's not the type of maker to seek the safe middle ground when pressing.
Are there explanations or reasons why there could be a discrepancy?
And why do the Salix & Newbery presses come in for mention?
I was going to make some rough sketches up as I had planned on building one over winter, do you beleive there are special features in certain bat press designs that set them apart? (other than the operator )

[Talisman]

A Press is only as good as the operator, Newbery and GN have the same one. However GN use it in a production line without any care or adjustments, that is why their pressing will never be consistent.

[SAF Bats]

Well I suppose that is all logical, though I attended a demonstration a few years ago in which they tapped up bats seeking those with a nice ring (light vibration was mentioned) to their note when struck with the uhmwpe mallet for their higher gradings. Generally he's not the type of maker to seek the safe middle ground when pressing.
Are there explanations or reasons why there could be a discrepancy?
And why do the Salix & Newbery presses come in for mention?
I was going to make some rough sketches up as I had planned on building one over winter, do you beleive there are special features in certain bat press designs that set them apart? (other than the operator )

Mornin' Glen and welcome to the world of listening to Willow

Talisman has given you a good answer... Those that adjust based on the willow are getting the most from there pressing those that don't generally get a happy medium...

Salix and Newbery get a mention because I think they are the 2 best press bats on the market.

Yes pm me about press designs I've got 2 on the go both different from the norm which I doubt is surprise to you... but the operator needs a good eye and ear to know what needs to be done

[BrianLara400*]

I probably should have clarified a bit better, I did beleive it or not allready know about idividuality and pressing accordingly - hence why I rate GN bats about 1/10th the distance I can levitate them with my mind, and why I feel sick each time they get a plug on the lunch time cricket show. What I was getting at is he theoretically right to be be striving for that slight vibration, or is that indicating as you say an inefficiency in the transference of energy?
And as for the press designs Ive seen a few and had in mind something along the lines of a roller mounted on a cantilever arm? anyway Ill send a PM.

[Tom]

Norb do you know if all Salix bats are pressed by them?

[SAF Bats]

Norb do you know if all Salix bats are pressed by them?

I'll say this about every bat ummm if made in the then UK yes!

[Tom]

What would classify as made in the UK?

[SAF Bats]

An english willow cleft that hasn't be exported from the UK

[Talisman]

I think we all know that Salix polish far more bats than they make.

[SillyShilly]

I'm seeming to pick up the vibe that there is a certain discordance in the bat-making world......are pretty much all of the bats you pick up off the shelf made in India, if so is this a real problem if they are made using English willow (not that nurtured crap!) - i know that Bradbury used to make there bats in a little shed in deepest darkest somerset (which is now the location of an over-priced restaraunt named 'Podshavers' - a bit of irony?) and now they are made in India and i have had quite a few people comment on the decrease in quality after this switch over!

[ianbuchanan]

lol where abouts in somerset is podshavers mate?

[SillyShilly]

Bishops Lydeard - just outside of taunton - went there for my 21st, left there with my trousers round my ankles.......very expensive!

[ianbuchanan]

lol we're playing them in a pre season friendly this year! haha my mate lives in the pub there, its called the bird in hand....

[SAF Bats]

I think we all know that Salix polish far more bats than they make.

My mate of mate who is the uncles brother of a pro has one.... Well there is a guy around the corner who has been up to Salix [Saturdays I think] and had one handmae.... Very nice bat, lovely sound to it...