My trip to H4L.
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fasteddie

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My trip to H4L.
« on: January 05, 2013, 06:43:00 PM »

It was a pleasure to meet Matt at the corporate HQ of H4L in deepest Kent this weekend. I had an appointment to collect a bat and discuss how my new blade should be born.

Firstly, I was impressed to see that Matt is a fellow red and shares my first name. Even better than that I can concur that his bat making skills appear to be top notch.

He crafts the finished articles from clefts they source themselves, as well as the normal sources. All parts of the process are carried out by hand, with love, and (even more important) with care and detail, at H4L HQ.

Not many small firms can claim to do as much with the raw cleft as Matt.

I'm a long standing supporter of the small bat maker. For most of my life I've been a Warsop man (still am). As buyers and geeks we need to support entrepreneurs such as Matt with our patronage.

As a 'normal' buyer I had the same level of service as the pro would enjoy. A warm smile and access Matt's knowledge and honesty.

I bought the Excell he advertised on this forum (£90 was a complete steal for such a wonderful blade), but more excitingly, I chose my own Tempo cleft from his stash. We looked at all the raw tempo clefts, discussing their merits of each. When we found the 'right' one the rebound on the mallet was immense and my grin was even wider than the middle is long.

I shall be posting a few pictures of my wares when they arrive, but wanted to offer Matt my approval, and (to all my fellow gear geeks) whole heatedly give Matt my recommendation.

Before you buy a bat ask yourself, who made it? Can I influence that process (and feel so important and loved as a result of that input), can I see the raw materials, can I choose my own raw cleft, so many questions.........

My tick in the box' is firmly with H4L alongside Warsop, but I also tip my hat to those others who make the bats themselves from the raw cleft. Craftsmen of this ilk should be supported at every opportunity.

Matt, the next round is on me.

Pictures to follow (and I really can't wait!).
« Last Edit: January 05, 2013, 07:26:16 PM by fasteddie »
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SOULMAN1012

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Re: My trip to H4L.
« Reply #1 on: January 05, 2013, 07:52:45 PM »

Very nice little set up Matt has down there I do agree. Looking forward to seeing the new willow fella.
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ItsJustCricket

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Re: My trip to H4L.
« Reply #2 on: January 05, 2013, 09:18:42 PM »

Thanks for sharing - this sounds brilliant.  H4L is definitely next on my list of "must visit" cricket bat workshops...

i12breakfree

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Re: My trip to H4L.
« Reply #3 on: January 05, 2013, 09:43:45 PM »

Tempo Tempo tempo
gotta have this bat soon :)

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thecord

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Re: My trip to H4L.
« Reply #4 on: January 05, 2013, 10:11:57 PM »

Definitely a worthwhile trip, just make sure you don't miss the turning like me  :(
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rudder162

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Re: My trip to H4L.
« Reply #5 on: January 05, 2013, 10:37:56 PM »

Matt is a top bloke very helpful and patient
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tushar sehgal

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Re: My trip to H4L.
« Reply #6 on: January 06, 2013, 12:00:08 AM »

I have never had a bad, no correct that to non-performing h4l..3 have passed through my hands this year and they all play very well...
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fasteddie

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Re: My trip to H4L.
« Reply #7 on: January 09, 2013, 09:58:07 PM »

I netted the 666 (stickered Excel) tonight. It's first outing.

WOW! On the mallet it was good, on the bouncy track at Lords it was amazing! It even made me look presentable.

Am hugely impressed with (what is planned to be) my #2 bat. What a blade!

The Tempo? Well that will be here on Monday/Tuesday and I can't wait.

Pics of the 666 to follow tomorrow.
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Alvaro

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Re: My trip to H4L.
« Reply #8 on: January 09, 2013, 10:07:14 PM »

I wanna see pics!
This is more drawn out than a Peter Jackson trilogy...
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Chad

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Re: My trip to H4L.
« Reply #9 on: January 09, 2013, 10:17:00 PM »

I wanna see pics!
This is more drawn out than a Peter Jackson trilogy...

I agree. 4 days and still no pictures? Surely that is a forum sin! ;)
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jimba101

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Re: My trip to H4L.
« Reply #10 on: January 09, 2013, 10:48:23 PM »

Ban him ;)
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wilkie113

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Re: My trip to H4L.
« Reply #11 on: January 09, 2013, 10:49:13 PM »

When you post the pictures can you change the title to pictures added so I'm not tempted, means I won't look at the thread when the pictures are up then . Lol
« Last Edit: January 09, 2013, 10:53:24 PM by wilkie113 »
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fasteddie

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Re: My trip to H4L.
« Reply #12 on: January 09, 2013, 10:58:05 PM »

I was waiting for the Tempo to arrive, Matt has given me an ETA of Sat.

In the meantime I but shall post a few of the 666/Excl tomorrow.

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Simmy

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Re: My trip to H4L.
« Reply #13 on: January 10, 2013, 08:25:55 AM »

should of waited till u had it then lol
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fasteddie

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Re: My trip to H4L.
« Reply #14 on: January 11, 2013, 06:18:29 PM »

Here are some pictures of the H4L after it's first net. You will see from the marks that I actually nailed one out of the screws! (I think that was the 80 mph length ball from my son where I just closed my eyes and swung for glory)

If I only had this bat for the season I would be happy, but I have the Tempo coming (fingers crossed tomorrow) so I'll just have to make do!

Oh, I'll happily stick my chin out for a good slap for the poor photos.













A review?
Well, Matt calls this a 'Devil' grade in light of the 3 stupidly small pressing cracks on the face. I'd call him generous in the extreme.
It has 10 straight and even grains, a good splash of heartwood on the outside edge, some concaving but not too much, and a great balance.
It weighs in at 2 lb 13 and has a pick up which feels like 'menace'. It's no lightweight but is beautifully balanced.
I was worried it would be hard to swing but the balance is fantastic.
Matt patiently added my required 1/2 grip (at the splice end) and then 2 more on top.

I found myself punching shots and limiting my follow through. However, when I gave it the beans it pinged like a good un and screamed away.

I knocked it in for about 30 minutes with a mallet and ball and stick thing. Boned the edges with a rolling pin, and just netted as normal. My son tried to kill me (as normal) and when I got a ball which wasn't aimed at my throat, from him it flew.

I have no idea how the Tempo with feel alongside this, but as I said, if this where my only bat I would be grinning.

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