Topic: Bat making and a blinkered view (Read 10079 times)

norbs · « **on:** August 31, 2012, 10:31:38 AM »

It seems we are getting complacent, resigned to the fact that, bespoke isn't bespoke, it is off a CNC machine or we are being duped in someway to handover money for something that has been incorrectly advertised.

Do we have this blinkered view on bat making in the UK because of the proliferation of stickered up bats, the apparent ease of the availability of finished bat and the internet rumour mill?

Johnny · « **Reply #1 on:** August 31, 2012, 11:00:53 AM »

Firstly, i'm sure the majority don't care. It's just the kit nerds on the forums thatcare really bothered.

But I don't share that view at all - if I'm going to be precious about having a handmade bat I'm confident of 4-5 places I can go to get exactly what I want.

But even if it is a mass produced, stickered up bat, doesn't make it a bad bat.

norbs · « **Reply #2 on:** August 31, 2012, 11:23:54 AM »

I'd tend to disagree, maybe it just me though. It seems on discovery that bat isn't what it should be or there is a snippet of information, rumour or otherwise, that comes out there is normally "This is madness is there no one that makes a bat anymore" and or "That ain't bespoke mate, that is......"

So I reckon the question still stands, as we become more informed, rightly or wrongly with the information [some of it isnt quite right sometimes]? Why does this make more complacent, cynical is it the proliferation of brands. Has the choice made us this way.... Are we feeling cheated even though we think we know what is go on!

It is quite interesting really.....

At the end of the day if the guy uses it likes it there is no such thing as a bad bat...

PedalsMcgrew · « **Reply #3 on:** August 31, 2012, 11:37:47 AM »

The reason people are so wary of what they are buying is because, in general, the makers of all bats are very, very bad at telling us exactly what it is that they are selling! Be that through contractual reasons or just because marketing isn't a strong point. Us bat nerds have to end up asking questions in order to ensure we're not just paying �100 extra for different stickers! It's hardly surprising that we become suspicious is it?

For me, the 'real' batmakers, the ones who do it all under one roof including the pressing, handling etc need to be shouting about it a lot louder than they are. As for the others? Well, that's the price they pay for outsourcing!

I would like to point out that my standard answer to the favourite 'What bat shall I buy?' thread is that any of the forum sponsors plus a great many outside of this forum can make you the bat of your dreams. I just prefer to know exactly what it is that I am paying for

petehosk · « **Reply #4 on:** August 31, 2012, 11:41:28 AM »

If someone uses and likes their bat, then indeed shoudl it matter in what circumstance it was made?

I still think that there should be a definite line drawn between (1) the fully stickered up bats, then (2) the part mades then are finished, and lastly (3) the bats which are pressed and fully made by the brand. If each of the three scenaros were defined and the brands had to disclose which category they were in, then that would allow a more informed choice by the buyer?

ppccopener · « **Reply #5 on:** August 31, 2012, 11:43:46 AM »

im sure the majority of bats are bought by club cricketers on line or in sports stores,these are marked up already as the main 'big boys' seek to recover large paychecks for the players(1m each for flintoff and kp at woodworm-woodworm went bust) and then again by the sports shops themselves.So it's the club cricketers(us) that fuel the machine.
I do have a problem with smaller batmakers pushing the fact it's 'custom made' providing it actually is.
An the more information available the better,why this forum is protective of who makes what for who is odd.People may speculate and get it wrong and I can see that would be not in my interests if I was a seller on here,but if it's right I dont see a problem.
The problem I have is shisters who sticker up other people's brand's,mark them up and sell them on higher,I just dont get how the 'middle man' fit's in...
just my thoughts

ppccopener · « **Reply #6 on:** August 31, 2012, 11:45:28 AM »

sorry that should say i DON'T have a problem with smaller batmakers pushing the 'custom made' thing
more power to their elbow

ajmw89 · « **Reply #7 on:** August 31, 2012, 11:49:51 AM »

The way I see it, bespoke is tailored to suit the buyers needs. Whether it be made by machine or hand, if it is made specifically for you and your needs, then it is bespoke. A tailor won't always hand stitch that �3000 suit you paid for will he?

PedalsMcgrew · « **Reply #8 on:** August 31, 2012, 12:13:36 PM »

Quote from: petehosk on August 31, 2012, 11:41:28 AM

If someone uses and likes their bat, then indeed shoudl it matter in what circumstance it was made?

I still think that there should be a definite line drawn between (1) the fully stickered up bats, then (2) the part mades then are finished, and lastly (3) the bats which are pressed and fully made by the brand. If each of the three scenaros were defined and the brands had to disclose which category they were in, then that would allow a more informed choice by the buyer?

100% Agree. The only reason anyone would be against this is if they are currently hiding something!

norbs · « **Reply #9 on:** August 31, 2012, 12:20:41 PM »

So it seems like it is more of an annoyance then anything else. Is that because you cant say who does what on here as you can call the sellers and find out, or is it because you smell rat and when you've asked the seller they feed you a line?

PedalsMcgrew · « **Reply #10 on:** August 31, 2012, 12:32:57 PM »

I just think that the few guys left who are really doing everything from start to finish need to be protected as much as possible. If we don't support those guys then the industry will eventually die and all bats will end up being the same. A lot of informed (or ill informed!!) opinion has it that pressing is one of the key parts of bat making. If it's all done by one company then where is the choice? Or is there only one way to press a bat?

Those companies that like to give the impression of handmaking bats themselves when they are just buying in bats are just contributing to the struggles of the real craftsman. That doesn't mean they are selling an inferior product but if everything was forced to be out in the open then at least people could make an informed choice and choose to support the 'real' craftsman if they so wish.

It would also put costs into perspective which is why a few companies would be against it......most of us would be happy to spend a little extra on a truly handmade bat....I would be anyway!

norbs · « **Reply #11 on:** August 31, 2012, 12:50:55 PM »

Pressing and cricket bat making!!!! It is down to the bat makers voodoo and his mojo on the day, right!!

Decent handles, willow selection, profile shapes and understand those go a long way to making a good bat.

PedalsMcgrew · « **Reply #12 on:** August 31, 2012, 01:15:02 PM »

Quote from: norbs on August 31, 2012, 12:50:55 PM

Pressing and cricket bat making!!!! It is down to the bat makers voodoo and his mojo on the day, right!!

Decent handles, willow selection, profile shapes and understand those go a long way to making a good bat.

So there is only one way to press a bat then?

norbs · « **Reply #13 on:** August 31, 2012, 01:26:04 PM »

Quote from: PedalsMcgrew on August 31, 2012, 01:15:02 PM

So there is only one way to press a bat then?

No there are a few ways to press a bat, the debatable bit is whether on a larger scales [and possibly smaller] the pressing changes

PedalsMcgrew · « **Reply #14 on:** August 31, 2012, 01:34:27 PM »

If you have two separate people pressing bats then surely they will have differing ideas of what the best way to press it is....? So there will be differences between pressings. That's what gives people the choice....those differences. It's not about right or wrong it's about choice and it's that choice that I want to see protected!

Author Topic: Bat making and a blinkered view (Read 10079 times)

norbs

Bat making and a blinkered view

Johnny

Re: Bat making and a blinkered view

norbs

Re: Bat making and a blinkered view

PedalsMcgrew

Re: Bat making and a blinkered view

petehosk

Re: Bat making and a blinkered view

ppccopener

Re: Bat making and a blinkered view

ppccopener

Re: Bat making and a blinkered view

ajmw89

Re: Bat making and a blinkered view

PedalsMcgrew

Re: Bat making and a blinkered view

norbs

Re: Bat making and a blinkered view

PedalsMcgrew

Re: Bat making and a blinkered view

norbs

Re: Bat making and a blinkered view

PedalsMcgrew

Re: Bat making and a blinkered view

norbs

Re: Bat making and a blinkered view

PedalsMcgrew

Re: Bat making and a blinkered view