Print

[farnham_quins_2]

So I went to visit Paul at IJC today, mainly just to have a look at all the shiny new bats he has in stock. All I wanted to purchase was a couple of grips.

I didnt really know which grips I wanted, was hoping he had some hybrids though. I played about with some of the bats he had in stock (I'll get to those later) and a couple had really quality hybrid grips on. Looked through the box of grips he has in the shop (which he really needs to sort out so its easier to look through) and found a gold one, same as on the Affinity Carbine.

So I bought that and a black thick spiral one, and the hybrid will be going on my net bat once Ive sanded it down and shoe gooed the toe.

Now on to the bats. I was hugely impressed with the Affinity bats. They look amazing.
Lovely stickers, great shape and nice grains on them too. Picking them up, they felt really well balanced and picked up nicely. Think they were 2'10 and 2'11 but they felt a good couple of ounces lighter to hold.

Then Paul told me to use the mallet on the Spectre. The sound off the middle was great, but the ping, sound, everything off the toe was unreal. Sounds like the middle off most bats. It really was something. I know the toe isnt what you want to using to hit the ball, but if you do then you will get so many extra runs compared to other bats.

I was also very impressed with the Hammer range. Bats had really nice shapes, picked up very well too. Only thing is they are a tad expensive, but I think if you did purchase one you probably would get your money's worth. The Platinums were particularly impressive.

The Carbine really is one of the best bats Ive seen, and I would encourage anyone who has any opinion on the Affinity bats to look at them in person.

Also, just want to say how Friendly and helpful Paul was. First time Ive been to his shop and he was more than happy for me to look at his bats even though I wasnt going to be buying one, and to talk about cricket in general.

[Wazi]

Really tempted to get a Spectre But just spent money on Ayrtek helmet and H4L bat.
Might get one anyways.

[FattusCattus]

Also, just want to say how Friendly and helpful Paul was. First time Ive been to his shop and he was more than happy for me to look at his bats even though I wasnt going to be buying one, and to talk about cricket in general.

I'd agree with this - he really is a lovely, long stick of cricketing knowledge (needs fattening up though!)

[ItsJustCricket]

So I went to visit Paul at IJC today, mainly just to have a look at all the shiny new bats he has in stock. All I wanted to purchase was a couple of grips.

I didnt really know which grips I wanted, was hoping he had some hybrids though. I played about with some of the bats he had in stock (I'll get to those later) and a couple had really quality hybrid grips on. Looked through the box of grips he has in the shop (which he really needs to sort out so its easier to look through) and found a gold one, same as on the Affinity Carbine.

So I bought that and a black thick spiral one, and the hybrid will be going on my net bat once Ive sanded it down and shoe gooed the toe.

Now on to the bats. I was hugely impressed with the Affinity bats. They look amazing.
Lovely stickers, great shape and nice grains on them too. Picking them up, they felt really well balanced and picked up nicely. Think they were 2'10 and 2'11 but they felt a good couple of ounces lighter to hold.

Then Paul told me to use the mallet on the Spectre. The sound off the middle was great, but the ping, sound, everything off the toe was unreal. Sounds like the middle off most bats. It really was something. I know the toe isnt what you want to using to hit the ball, but if you do then you will get so many extra runs compared to other bats.

I was also very impressed with the Hammer range. Bats had really nice shapes, picked up very well too. Only thing is they are a tad expensive, but I think if you did purchase one you probably would get your money's worth. The Platinums were particularly impressive.

The Carbine really is one of the best bats Ive seen, and I would encourage anyone who has any opinion on the Affinity bats to look at them in person.

Also, just want to say how Friendly and helpful Paul was. First time Ive been to his shop and he was more than happy for me to look at his bats even though I wasnt going to be buying one, and to talk about cricket in general.

Thanks for this thread, Jamie - good to meet you too! Always welcome to browse the bats, whether you're buying or not. Just a shame Millwall weren't able to produce the goods for you this afternoon!

[procricket]

not against the mighty clarets

[farnham_quins_2]

Thanks for this thread, Jamie - good to meet you too! Always welcome to browse the bats, whether you're buying or not. Just a shame Millwall weren't able to produce the goods for you this afternoon!

Haha yeah I know. Was the worst performance Ive seen all season! Seeing all those bats has kept me from getting too down though. How did Wednesday get on?

[farnham_quins_2]

not against the mighty clarets

Not a Burnley fan surely? Didnt go today by any chance? We were truly awful. No play offs for us this seaon

[ItsJustCricket]

Haha yeah I know. Was the worst performance Ive seen all season! Seeing all those bats has kept me from getting too down though. How did Wednesday get on?

A bore draw - but a useful point, given that none of the others around us managed to win!

[farnham_quins_2]

Better than us though. Id take a bore draw over a miserable 2 nil loss on a cold January afternoon

[SOULMAN1012]

A bore draw - but a useful point, given that none of the others around us managed to win!

Paul are you the 2nd member of the Sheffield Wednesday supports club down here in the south?? i thought it was just me.

[ItsJustCricket]

Paul are you the 2nd member of the Sheffield Wednesday supports club down here in the south?? i thought it was just me.

A little unexpected that, Chris, but really good to see another Owl on here! Will have to hold that thought and continue this conversation when you visit next week!

[Hammer Cricket]

So I went to visit Paul at IJC today, mainly just to have a look at all the shiny new bats he has in stock. All I wanted to purchase was a couple of grips.

I didnt really know which grips I wanted, was hoping he had some hybrids though. I played about with some of the bats he had in stock (I'll get to those later) and a couple had really quality hybrid grips on. Looked through the box of grips he has in the shop (which he really needs to sort out so its easier to look through) and found a gold one, same as on the Affinity Carbine.

So I bought that and a black thick spiral one, and the hybrid will be going on my net bat once Ive sanded it down and shoe gooed the toe.

Now on to the bats. I was hugely impressed with the Affinity bats. They look amazing.
Lovely stickers, great shape and nice grains on them too. Picking them up, they felt really well balanced and picked up nicely. Think they were 2'10 and 2'11 but they felt a good couple of ounces lighter to hold.

Then Paul told me to use the mallet on the Spectre. The sound off the middle was great, but the ping, sound, everything off the toe was unreal. Sounds like the middle off most bats. It really was something. I know the toe isnt what you want to using to hit the ball, but if you do then you will get so many extra runs compared to other bats.

I was also very impressed with the Hammer range. Bats had really nice shapes, picked up very well too. Only thing is they are a tad expensive, but I think if you did purchase one you probably would get your money's worth. The Platinums were particularly impressive.

The Carbine really is one of the best bats Ive seen, and I would encourage anyone who has any opinion on the Affinity bats to look at them in person.

Also, just want to say how Friendly and helpful Paul was. First time Ive been to his shop and he was more than happy for me to look at his bats even though I wasnt going to be buying one, and to talk about cricket in general.

just wanted to make a clarification as in your opening statement you said the hammer bats were a tad bit expensive and that you really liked the hammer bats and the affinity bats..

please note the affinity bats are more expensive than the hammer LE bats.. i just found that small line a bit misleading.

not attacking anyone. just when i red it i got the message that the hammer bats are expensive compared, when thats in fact not the sase..just didnt want anyone thinking affinity bats were cheaper than hammer bats..( or any other bat for that matter )

[ItsJustCricket]

Jason, I think he was referring to the Platinum bats mainly, which are more expensive than the Affinitys.  He also spent more time admiring the Platinums than the others, to be fair! 

[Hammer Cricket]

yeah, no problems at all, just didnt want people thinking the hammer bats were more expensive as he wasnt clear as to which bats he was talking about in his statement..

as i said, no worries, no attacks, just wanted to clear that up...as the core is in the 259 pounds range and is much cheaper.

[farnham_quins_2]

just wanted to make a clarification as in your opening statement you said the hammer bats were a tad bit expensive and that you really liked the hammer bats and the affinity bats..

please note the affinity bats are more expensive than the hammer LE bats.. i just found that small line a bit misleading.

not attacking anyone. just when i red it i got the message that the hammer bats are expensive compared, when thats in fact not the sase..just didnt want anyone thinking affinity bats were cheaper than hammer bats..( or any other bat for that matter )

Yeah as Paul said, I was referring to the Platinums as they are the most similar, should have made that clear.

However, they are probably both too expensive in my eyes. Not really good enough to spend 300+ on one bat. If you do want to then I would say you cant go wrong with either!

As I did say originally the Platinums were very impressive!