Topic: Why are manufacturers abandoning the long handle? (Read 3896 times)

Manormanic · « **on:** December 03, 2012, 09:24:46 AM »

This is a subject that has been bugging me for quite some time now - being 6' 3" and in possession of dodgy knees, I've used long handled (or long bladed, ideally) bats for the best part of two decades now. It always used to be the case that these were common as anything - yet over the past few years they seem to have become rarer than rocking horse droppings as major manufacturers stopped making them - first it was Puma and then Adidas, Slazenger don't do it and now Gray Nicolls don't make them in most of their range, Kookaburra don't seem to be doing them anymore ...

imogzyboy · « **Reply #1 on:** December 03, 2012, 09:35:10 AM »

My friend uses a gray nicolls with a long handle, also talent cricket sell kookaburra with long handle he orders them from the factory if that helps

Manormanic · « **Reply #2 on:** December 03, 2012, 09:40:31 AM »

Oh, I have GNlong handles, but for 2013 they're not making them for the Dynadrive, Maverick and I think a couple others.

tim2000s · « **Reply #3 on:** December 03, 2012, 09:42:48 AM »

I was pretty sure that Kook made LB bats rather than LH bats, and I've seen a fair few of them available. Now that's not to say that they're not being stocked by most UK retailers this year...

Bruce · « **Reply #4 on:** December 03, 2012, 09:51:12 AM »

Quote from: tim2000s on December 03, 2012, 09:42:48 AM

I was pretty sure that Kook made LB bats rather than LH bats, and I've seen a fair few of them available. Now that's not to say that they're not being stocked by most UK retailers this year...

You are quite correct, Tim.
One of my friends has a 'sponsorship' with Kookaburra and he went for Long blade Recoils last season. He chose them from the factory, got some real nice bats.

tim2000s · « **Reply #5 on:** December 03, 2012, 09:53:57 AM »

And on checking, Millett Sports do indeed have Long Blades in pretty much all models, and if you like, you can pick upa medium weight LB (which usually means 2.11) Recoil 450 for �90.

Manormanic · « **Reply #6 on:** December 03, 2012, 09:59:13 AM »

Hokay, Kooks seem to still do some. What about the rest though?

tim2000s · « **Reply #7 on:** December 03, 2012, 10:05:38 AM »

I've always found that numbers of LH GN, GM, Newbery, Slazenger and Hunts were fairly limited and you had to hunt for them. I guess they've just got more like rocking horse poo.

Tom · « **Reply #8 on:** December 03, 2012, 01:49:46 PM »

LH's don't really sell. Retailers didn't want or order them, so manufacturers don't make them.

ItsJustCricket · « **Reply #9 on:** December 03, 2012, 01:58:24 PM »

Interesting thread...

Firstly, regarding Kookaburra, they generally do LB instead of LH, but do still offer LH for their entry level bats.

We've actually sold a fair few LH & LB bats in the past, and are ordering in a few more - I guess if other retailers are not stocking them, the punter has less choice, which is always good for us!

That being said, they are definitely getting rarer, and no good reason why. It's not that there are any statistics to suggest that the cricketing population are getting shorter over time...

Manormanic · « **Reply #10 on:** December 03, 2012, 05:05:58 PM »

quite true Paul - indeed, the opposite seems quite possible (unless the increased levels of patricipation from the Asian community is affecting this)- and I know a lot of players who use them.

ItsJustCricket · « **Reply #11 on:** December 03, 2012, 05:41:41 PM »

Quote from: Manormanic on December 03, 2012, 05:05:58 PM

quite true Paul - indeed, the opposite seems quite possible (unless the increased levels of patricipation from the Asian community is affecting this)- and I know a lot of players who use them.

Well, as long as there's demand, Iain, we'll continue to stock them. Might even get more of them in in future if none of our competitors are bothering to!

Vitas Cricket · « **Reply #12 on:** December 03, 2012, 05:44:51 PM »

We generally order them by request.

kookaburra lower grade, grays custom made and hunts custom made are our main avenues for long handle sales.

Vitas Cricket · « **Reply #13 on:** December 07, 2012, 05:44:42 AM »

Quote from: Manormanic on December 03, 2012, 09:40:31 AM

Oh, I have GNlong handles, but for 2013 they're not making them for the Dynadrive, Maverick and I think a couple others.

Legend, E41 1000, and both Scoop variants are the only LH bats according to the online grays stocklist.

Of course you can get a custom made version of any grays bat with a LH, but this costs dollar.

Six Sixes Cricket · « **Reply #14 on:** December 07, 2012, 08:13:45 PM »

Off Twitter for the long handle lover

@Sportscraft1: @graynics For anyone who uses a Long Handle,we have a Nitro Powerblade in the SALE at �39.99!
http://t.co/jVxxe8b7
#BARGAINS

Author Topic: Why are manufacturers abandoning the long handle? (Read 3896 times)

Manormanic

Why are manufacturers abandoning the long handle?

imogzyboy

Re: Why are manufacturers abandoning the long handle?

Manormanic

Re: Why are manufacturers abandoning the long handle?

tim2000s

Re: Why are manufacturers abandoning the long handle?

Bruce

Re: Why are manufacturers abandoning the long handle?

tim2000s

Re: Why are manufacturers abandoning the long handle?

Manormanic

Re: Why are manufacturers abandoning the long handle?

tim2000s

Re: Why are manufacturers abandoning the long handle?

Tom

Re: Why are manufacturers abandoning the long handle?

ItsJustCricket

Re: Why are manufacturers abandoning the long handle?

Manormanic

Re: Why are manufacturers abandoning the long handle?

ItsJustCricket

Re: Why are manufacturers abandoning the long handle?

Vitas Cricket

Re: Why are manufacturers abandoning the long handle?

Vitas Cricket

Re: Why are manufacturers abandoning the long handle?

Six Sixes Cricket

Re: Why are manufacturers abandoning the long handle?