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[100 not out]

Why are all of the o/s cleft bats  ive seen, grade 2/3 from a looks perspective. I have yet to see a good looking o/s bat. Anyone seen any?..

Is it just a way of offloading g2/3 for a premium?

[Six Sixes Cricket]

Is it down to the trees being cut at an early age?

[Dan W]

The distinction I have is G1...I think they (OS clefts) are that rare (and getting more popular) that the 'good' ones will be rocking horse droppings. Maybe M&H had a real competitive advantage once upon a time by spotting their demand early on - certainly the ones I've seen in the last year haven't been of similar standard to the 2010/11 ones.

I don't think they can say it's a way of offloading g2/3 willow - it's a fundamental different cut (and for most involve completely bypassing your supplier that's been used for a gazillion other clefts)

[Chad]

Maybe it's complete luck?  I assume they cut a very small number of trees down for OS clefts, so the number of G1 clefts are obviously more scarce. Since there are HUGE numbers of normal sized clefts being supplied, there will also be more G1 clefts in regular size. I think you get less clefts out of the tree, so I can only assume they can't afford to waste too many!

[BakarooBonzai]

Do you mean O/S cleft as in, a cleft cut to a larger size?  If so H4L Temp bat that was posted on the forum by matt looks really nice (Also on his website).  Distinctions are low density clefts, which are rare (1 in 500 according to them).  My distinction is a grade 2 but looks pretty good for that grade.  The best bat I ever had, goes like a cannon.  I've seen some G1 distinctions on the forums but you are correct they may not be the best lookers, but I imagine if it's anything like mine, it would perform well. 

[Six Sixes Cricket]

Where have you got the " 1 in 500 low density clefts for grade 1 distinctions " from?

[BakarooBonzai]

I couldn't find the original source but I think the "1:500" stat is from the M&H website or from a blog I read.  Then again it just could be marketing blabber from the companies, so wouldn't put too much into it.  I do think they are somewhat rare.  One of the bat makers in the forum will be better suited to answer the rarity of the low density clefts.

[Cover_Drive]

Is it down to the trees being cut at an early age?

Being cut at early age, doesn't that also mean that they'll have lower density?

Just assuming, younger it is, less dense it is.

[tim2000s]

Being cut at early age, doesn't that also mean that they'll have lower density?

Just assuming, younger it is, less dense it is.

Not necessarily. Conditions during growth will play the biggest part.

[norbs]

You get G1 oversize if you ask and pay for it

You are also over complicating stuff....  An oversized cleft is just a different cut size so you get less clefts from the tree if it was all split into oversized clefts [therefore the cost increase]

[norbs]

PS: I know this line is the pot calling the kettle black 

You are also over complicating stuff....

[Number4]

You get G1 oversize if you ask and pay for it

You are also over complicating stuff....  An oversized cleft is just a different cut size so you get less clefts from the tree if it was all split into oversized clefts [therefore the cost increase]

So you are saying the consumer in general isn't asking for G1 oversize clefts so that's why we don't see them?

[Buzz]

but given most players like a bat weighing less than 2lbs11, is there that much of a need for an oversized cleft?

[Kulli]

I think there's some confusion between oversized clefts and low density ones here.

[norbs]

So you are saying the consumer in general isn't asking for G1 oversize clefts so that's why we don't see them?

Nope it is a fairly new thing in the world of cricket...  So the consumer in the wider world will not be aware of it!

It is the bat makers that aren't asking from them so the willow suppliers dont stock them.

have a look here....

http://www.cricketinsight.co.uk/2012/11/05/jeremy-ruggles-of-j-s-wrights-big-bats/

but given most players like a bat weighing less than 2lbs11, is there that much of a need for an oversized cleft?

If the market continues to drive for larger edges and super high spines expect alot of concaved oversize clefts [with the odd light one as an exception]


PS: To throw something in the mix

In general wider grains clefts are lighter then close grains clefts