Print

[Cowcorner]

After a bit of saving and a lot of pondering I finally made the purchase.
Spec as follows: 2.9, counterbalanced handle, oiled and knocked in

Having emailed Charlie my preferences I received an email telling me that I was going to get a beauty.  Two days later she arrived. First impressions are excellent. The branding and stickers are first class and easily challenge Salix and Newbery for the crown of best looking bats - my kook ricochet looks garish in comparison. The finish on the wood is as good as a salix - the lines are smooth and clean and there aren't any marks or scratches as you can sometimes get on the rear of a bat. The edges have been rounded off and the face has a nice hint of roundness to it.
I decided to go for a counterbalanced handle on the advice of Charlie - it adds about 1.5 lb to the weight. I usually like bats that have a 2.8-2.9 feel with mid position middles. As shown this bat comes in at 2:10.6 but in the hands it doesn't feel heavy, instead it feels reassuringly 'meaty' whilst still giving me the ability to move my hands swiftly. The pickup feels closer to 2.9 than to 2.8 but the bat remains balanced and poised through a few shadow cricket strokes I have done.
Performance-wise I haven't had her in the nets for any throw downs but I have tapped her up with a mallet and the ping is epic on a massive sweet spot. A few bounces on the blade with an old soft ball have proved very encouraging.
I have treated her to a hammer edge sheet and will update this once she's seen some action in the nets......

[Six Sixes Cricket]

Looks a beauty, and agree the finishing and decals are top notch on blackcat bats.

[Cover_Drive]

Absolutely brilliant, lovely lovely stick!

The finishing and decals are top notch as d7bow said.

Seeing yours sadden me as I now regret selling mine!

[ajmw89]

That should be illegal!  Top looking bat fella.  Bet that goes like an absolute rocket!

[smokem]

That's a beautiful stick there mate and agree that the finishing is top notch as well! I've been taking my time knocking-in my Joker and the mallet response on that is awesome as well. Looking to get it into the nets this weekend. Please keep us posted on how your Shadow plays!

[Buzz]

[The_Bird]

Been waiting to use this for a while....







Courtesy of i12breakfree

[Bulldog Cricket]

Lovely looking bat that. Can we see a picture of the counter balance ? Interested to see how they work.

Thanks

[m.lalli]

I am so jealous!!
Thats looks an absolute gun of a bat!

[farnham_quins_2]

Amazing looking bat! More pics of the handle please, interested to see what it looks like

[aussiejake]

Very impressive looking bat!

[golden duck]

There was me thinking I'd decided on a h4l, then you post this. Then there is safe, or h4l or BC, or saf.........

[Cowcorner]

For those of you interested in the handle i'll post some photos tomorrow using my ricochet as a comparison - not that you can see much as it is taped up beneath the grip. Essentially the end of the handle is weighted with metal to counterbalance the blade weight. I think there's a discourse on this on the forum somewhere - don't some bat makers fill the handle core with weight to produce a similar effect?

[Chad]

For those of you interested in the handle i'll post some photos tomorrow using my ricochet as a comparison - not that you can see much as it is taped up beneath the grip. Essentially the end of the handle is weighted with metal to counterbalance the blade weight. I think there's a discourse on this on the forum somewhere - don't some bat makers fill the handle core with weight to produce a similar effect?

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think I read somewhere that there used to be a handle with a compartment at the top, where metal ball bearings could be slotted into place to change the balance of the bat to your liking. I think it was TK who had done that, but I can't be 100% sure. I think that it exists though, as there is no way I could have made that up.

[potzy248]

Looks awesome mate well done.