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Author Topic: I bought an ugly cleft from Sam...  (Read 5494 times)

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Alvaro

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I bought an ugly cleft from Sam...
« on: June 25, 2012, 12:51:12 PM »

Now, I am not good with wood (and even then I own no tools other than a drill and a basic Wilko tool box), but I have a very talented woodworker of a Father-in-Law. He has a bunch of Victorian planes and a spokeshave that belonged to his Grandfather, a master cabinet maker.  He doesn't play cricket, nor is he interested in it past the fact that he knows I muddle through a season like a brainless Brearley.

He does, however, like a challenge.

With this is mind I had a punt on one of Peplow's clearance clefts for a small fee that wouldn't end my world if it all went wrong. I then broached the idea with Patrick (FiL) and he jumped at the idea - he asked to borrow a bat for a reference and I gave him my Paradox LE and a load of links to Laver/J Millichamp and other batmaking videos, as well as Beachy's blog (which received high praise). He said that the most useful videos were ones from factories in India, which is interesting.

He came to dinner yesterday and brought the work in progress with him. I couldn't believe it... I'd love to hear your thoughts, please bear in mind this is the first attempt he's ever done (weight at the moment is 1158 grams) so be kind:





Picks up okay, and the rebound is good out of the middle.

And here it be:
The finished bat: 2lb 12oz with snake grip and antiscuff




Overall, it's a great effort - the pickup is good and the rebound is okay - will surely open up with some knocking in.Thanks for looking.
A
« Last Edit: July 04, 2012, 08:10:13 PM by Alvaro »
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Ryan

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Re: I bought an ugly cleft from Sam...
« Reply #1 on: June 25, 2012, 01:05:20 PM »

very nice, looks like he's done/ doing a good job of the shaping etc. looking forward to seeing it finished!

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Buzz

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Re: I bought an ugly cleft from Sam...
« Reply #2 on: June 25, 2012, 01:10:43 PM »

nice - so a shade under 2lbs 9 with no binding and will a little polishing to go.
that is a really amazing first go - he clearly has a gift!.

The middle is quite high and the handle needs a little shaping, perhaps, but the shoulders look perfect.

Brilliant!
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tommo256

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Re: I bought an ugly cleft from Sam...
« Reply #3 on: June 25, 2012, 01:11:23 PM »

Love the shape
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Alvaro

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Re: I bought an ugly cleft from Sam...
« Reply #4 on: June 25, 2012, 01:20:53 PM »

nice - so a shade under 2lbs 9 with no binding and will a little polishing to go.
that is a really amazing first go - he clearly has a gift!.

The middle is quite high and the handle needs a little shaping, perhaps, but the shoulders look perfect.

Brilliant!

Thanks, Buzz.
I was really chuffed when I saw it. Shame he's nearly 70, cos there may have been a little business opportunity! It is a pretty accurate copy of the Redback I lent him.
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Alvaro

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Re: I bought an ugly cleft from Sam...
« Reply #5 on: June 25, 2012, 01:25:36 PM »

very nice, looks like he's done/ doing a good job of the shaping etc. looking forward to seeing it finished!


Thanks Fletch - I'm looking forward to the finished bat too!
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charlie15

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Re: I bought an ugly cleft from Sam...
« Reply #6 on: June 25, 2012, 01:35:21 PM »

Wow, that really is quite impressive.  Can't wait to see the end result.
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Jaymo

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Re: I bought an ugly cleft from Sam...
« Reply #7 on: June 25, 2012, 03:43:19 PM »

Great 1st effort that, bat maker in the making!
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trypewriter

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Re: I bought an ugly cleft from Sam...
« Reply #8 on: June 25, 2012, 03:50:39 PM »

Lovely job
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Blazer

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Re: I bought an ugly cleft from Sam...
« Reply #9 on: June 25, 2012, 04:14:45 PM »

Nice profile  :).
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Hit Out or Get Out

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Re: I bought an ugly cleft from Sam...
« Reply #10 on: June 25, 2012, 04:54:48 PM »

One of the best first attempts i've seen in a while, it will look excellent when finished.
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gnook

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Re: I bought an ugly cleft from Sam...
« Reply #11 on: June 25, 2012, 05:10:49 PM »

Thanks, Buzz.
I was really chuffed when I saw it. Shame he's nearly 70, cos there may have been a little business opportunity! It is a pretty accurate copy of the Redback I lent him.

Hi everyone,

Great topic for my first post. This is brilliant mate, for a first-time effort! So what if he is 70; so was Col. Sanders :)
We all know where KFC is now...

I would say, have him train an apprentice or perhaps you could pick up a few tips here and there, and keep going...
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SillyShilly

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Re: I bought an ugly cleft from Sam...
« Reply #12 on: June 25, 2012, 05:20:16 PM »

fantatsic first effort - more than anything I would say that it appears that he has a real 'feel' for the willow. Lovely lines and shape on that bat. Finish off those shoulders and it's going to look the dog's danglies :)
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Cover_Drive

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Re: I bought an ugly cleft from Sam...
« Reply #13 on: June 25, 2012, 08:35:24 PM »

A champ FiL you have got mate ;) its impressive, he did sterling work there!

The shape is exactly like Paradox so amazing work conisdering it was his first ever bat. Shows how talented he is!
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tushar sehgal

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Re: I bought an ugly cleft from Sam...
« Reply #14 on: June 25, 2012, 11:29:36 PM »

Tell him this was a nice attempt but not good enough and hand him 4-5 clefts ;)...really nice work
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