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[tugga]

So there can be performance benefits to flatter faces?

[Chad]

Great videos Paul! Look forward to seeing what the finished bats look like! Both the G1s sounded quite distinctly different, it will be interesting to see how they end up tapping up like! Did Andrew say that if the grains run very straight and parallel down the toe, it is a good sign of a cleft which will perform excellently?

[jimba101]

Nice videos Paul. Makes me want to try a Salix even more...

[ItsJustCricket]

Great videos Paul! Look forward to seeing what the finished bats look like! Both the G1s sounded quite distinctly different, it will be interesting to see how they end up tapping up like! Did Andrew say that if the grains run very straight and parallel down the toe, it is a good sign of a cleft which will perform excellently?

Yes exactly, Chad - straight grains on the face are one thing, but apparently, if they're straight down the toe, the bat is likely to perform better.  Interesting because I have seen some beautiful bats with perfect grains on the face, but then curvy / diagonal grains down the toe.  Not sure on the whys and wherefores to be honest, but it's definitely a consideration now when we're hand picking bats (that don't have toe guards fitted already!)

Flatter faces seem to help performance, yes, as well as durability.  I have never used such a bat myself, so I can't speak with total conviction on the matter, but there is clearly some decent evidence to suggest this.  It's not just about getting larger edges! This, I guess, justifies why so many manufacturers have gone down the flatter face route for 2013...

[tim2000s]

Flatter faces seem to help performance, yes, as well as durability.  I have never used such a bat myself, so I can't speak with total conviction on the matter, but there is clearly some decent evidence to suggest this.  It's not just about getting larger edges! This, I guess, justifies why so many manufacturers have gone down the flatter face route for 2013...

Is there really evidence to suggest this? I'd be surprised... If it was any good, everyone would have copied Fearneley back in the eighties with flat faces.

[ItsJustCricket]

Is there really evidence to suggest this? I'd be surprised... If it was any good, everyone would have copied Fearneley back in the eighties with flat faces.

Well, Salix have had some great results in testing - and they've been given a lot of thorough testing, trust me! Of course, it still remains to be seen how well they perform, and how everyone feels about them generally, but from what I've seen and heard so far, I am very confident that they'll end up usurping the rounder faced bat as the bat to have.

[Beachcricket]

It's interesting stuff. Food for thought here, not sure if I agree or not.

Great videos, Thank you.

[tim2000s]

I'm still not completely convinced! If there was really that big a difference, previous flat faced bats would have dominated the market a long way ahead of the fashion for big edges driving the changing face profile.

[Beachcricket]

Paul, would it be possible to expand on what Salix said to you regarding this? I'm interested how this came about within their design and research process. Where did this theory come from?

[ItsJustCricket]

I'm still not completely convinced! If there was really that big a difference, previous flat faced bats would have dominated the market a long way ahead of the fashion for big edges driving the changing face profile.

I actually think even the bat makers themselves are learning as they go along.  So, an argument could be made that this is a new discovery of sorts.  I certainly get that impression from what I've heard anyway...

[ItsJustCricket]

Paul, would it be possible to expand on what Salix said to you regarding this? I'm interested how this came about within their design and research process. Where did this theory come from?

Well, one thing I will say is that I know they can apply more pressure during the pressing process (on the flatter faced bats).  And as we know, it's all about the pressing...

[thecord]

Paul, would it be possible to expand on what Salix said to you regarding this? I'm interested how this came about within their design and research process. Where did this theory come from?

This video has Paul explaining more about what Salix have told him on the subject.

http://youtu.be/zuwBgVYAtCI

[Beachcricket]

Thanks thecord, I saw that one and that's what got me thinking.

Sorry to Paul if it seems like I'm being provocative or trying to diminish his hard work, my degree forced me to be very skeptical and analytical of theory and I can't stop. Lack of falsifiability doesn't influence the possibility of this being true, however it cannot be proved false.

[Six Sixes Cricket]

Are Salix bats all flat faced for 2013 models?

[ItsJustCricket]

Are Salix bats all flat faced for 2013 models?

all except the praestantia...