Topic: Do we really have access to the lightest, finest clefts or are we being lied to? (Read 6045 times)

shoaibuk · « **on:** June 20, 2009, 09:42:40 PM »

Does anyone have any experience of getting a custom bat made, choosing a cleft and finding that the best, lightest and lushest clefts have been reserved for pros?

I recently contacted a few custom bat makers and they were extremely ambigious and refused to give a straight answer about whether they make all clefts available to everyone.

An exception was Warsop, who assured me that I would be entitled to the same timber as the pros.

Anyone have any particular experiences or knowledge regarding this? The reason I bring this is up is because of my personal experience with a certain custom manufacturer in the north of England who promised me the best but that is not what I feel I received.

Tom · « **Reply #1 on:** June 20, 2009, 09:51:33 PM »

The merchants hold back willow for pro's, then many batmakers also hold back their best clefts that they order (which may not even be the best available). So I'd say it's unlikely you'd get the best.

jandgcricket · « **Reply #2 on:** June 20, 2009, 10:48:17 PM »

Interesting thread. Never thought about it really.

shoaibuk · « **Reply #3 on:** June 21, 2009, 07:53:10 AM »

Quote from: Tom on June 20, 2009, 09:51:33 PM

The merchants hold back willow for pro's, then many batmakers also hold back their best clefts that they order (which may not even be the best available). So I'd say it's unlikely you'd get the best.

How do you know this Tom? If this is the case than surely we all being ripped off in a big way! What with all these "finest willow" and "specially reserved clefts" claims!

art · « **Reply #4 on:** June 21, 2009, 07:57:31 AM »

Well I know nothing about willow and allowed by custom maker to select my piece for me. I will let you know how it feels in the nets in a few weeks.

My maker had a lot of raw willow there and I couldn't tell the difference one from the rest.

scuudz · « **Reply #5 on:** June 22, 2009, 07:42:15 PM »

Agreed that the bat-makers shouldnt really advertise that way if they really do reserve certain clefts for the pros.

But, imo, it doesnt really matter since its the podshaver that has more to do with the making of a good bat than the willow itself. A decent grade 2/3 cleft could still wind up as an excellent bat if its in the hands of a Julian Millichamp. IMO, it would be impossible to differentiate between the playability of said bat and one made from willow reserved for the pros.

From the JS Wright website:

"The only main differences in the grade are the varying degrees of brown wood and / or butterfly stain plus the number of blemishes or knots on the bat. Generally the more colour in the bat the lower the grade, there is however negligable difference in the playing ability, it is purely a perception that if it looks good it will play well, this is not the case."

bucko2007 · « **Reply #6 on:** June 22, 2009, 08:12:10 PM »

I have no idea really on this subject, but what I can say is I bumped into one of my ex school friends on the opposing team recently, who is sponsored by GM... he had a GM Icon, same profile and size as mine, but it picked up like a feather and it was so unbelievably well balanced.. It was such beautiful willow!!... mine just hasn't felt as good since

shoaibuk · « **Reply #7 on:** June 22, 2009, 09:22:34 PM »

JS Wright don't answer straight questions. I once sent an email to them asking them about clefts and they would not comment or give straight answers.

I asked Newbery about this issue and to give them their due told me that yes, they do reserve the lightest clefts for their pros. Bradbury say that everyone has access to the best, as do M&H.

But my common sense tells me something else. Some of the pros bats have unbelievably huge profiles and yet are so light (I'm talking about dead weight). One of my teammates had this feather-light bat with an enormous profile, but only because he went to a bat maker whom he knew in Pakistan. Unless you are extremely pro-active and know what you want and how to get it, you are likely to be mugged. Mugged.

scuudz · « **Reply #8 on:** June 22, 2009, 09:50:40 PM »

Fair enough.

However, I dont feel like Im getting mugged simply because Im not discerning enough to be able to tell the difference in playability as mentioned in my previous post.

I dont need my bats made from pro-quality willow because I dont believe its going to make a considerable difference to how successful I am as a batsman.

But to answer your question, from your experiences and the other posts in this thread, I guess it is a case of false advertising of the part of some people but personally, I wouldnt feel ripped off by it.

art · « **Reply #9 on:** June 22, 2009, 10:08:28 PM »

Hmmm interesting discussion. Given that I know little about willow itself I do know that bats appear to be made of drier wood than they used to be or so it seems with many of the top players. Given that the experts will say that the moisture content should be between 12-14% I am sure this is being ignored by the top folks. It appears they have dried the wood which of course reduces weight. Provided that the bats are pressed correctly this will produce a wonderful light piece BUT the downside is a much reduced life span. This is okay for those of us who have a bat sponsor but not so great for the average cricketer.

raymond · « **Reply #10 on:** June 22, 2009, 10:12:57 PM »

umpires have bat sponsor's?

art · « **Reply #11 on:** June 22, 2009, 10:22:21 PM »

I am back playing even at my old age lol. I still umpire.

keysersolze · « **Reply #12 on:** November 26, 2009, 06:41:13 PM »

IF you want a good bat go and see Gary from Redback or just call him!!! I have never seen a bad redback bat or heard of a bad one. And find the small one man band guy they are around. And you will get a LE super Willow cleft as the small guys can't afford to make a good bat!!! Just ask around at your local club they are out there. You will pay around a �150.00p for a bat that would cost �300.00p+ from any of the big boys.

leeroy_acko · « **Reply #13 on:** November 26, 2009, 06:57:50 PM »

Or H4L (Matt) sold me 2 superb clefts and was really helpful throughout the whole process, i would definitely think twice before buying a bat off the shelf again now.

I just posted my life's bat collection, and looking through it, i realised that my older bats ALL seemed to be guns, but lately i have really struggled to get the same quality.

OR... I am getting older/ fatter/ unfitter and becoming a worse batsman who never practises anymore.

I think I will stick to the bats being worse- they are all rubbish!!!

Watsontotty · « **Reply #14 on:** November 26, 2009, 07:58:23 PM »

My belief is that bat makers use comments like the lightest clefts etc as a selling point, if you think your going to get the same bat made from the same standard cleft as the likes of international players then you will part with your money and perhaps pay a premium. I have dealt with a number of bat makers over the years and the very best clefts are reserved for the top level players only and only on the odd occasion would you be lucky enough have a bat made from the special clefts.

Some of the smaller pod shavers may very well offer you a bat from the best clefts they have however they don't have the endless list of international players who are purchasing bats from them. Ive had g2/g3 bats which have been better than most top end g1 bats I've ever owned and I've had a few bats over the years. Custom made bats in general are far better than off the shelf bats however you do pay a big premium for this which is not always worth it.

Author Topic: Do we really have access to the lightest, finest clefts or are we being lied to? (Read 6045 times)

shoaibuk

Do we really have access to the lightest, finest clefts or are we being lied to?

Tom

Re: Do we really have access to the lightest, finest clefts or are we being lied to?

jandgcricket

Re: Do we really have access to the lightest, finest clefts or are we being lied to?

shoaibuk

Re: Do we really have access to the lightest, finest clefts or are we being lied to?

art

Re: Do we really have access to the lightest, finest clefts or are we being lied to?

scuudz

Re: Do we really have access to the lightest, finest clefts or are we being lied to?

bucko2007

Re: Do we really have access to the lightest, finest clefts or are we being lied to?

shoaibuk

Re: Do we really have access to the lightest, finest clefts or are we being lied to?

scuudz

Re: Do we really have access to the lightest, finest clefts or are we being lied to?

art

Re: Do we really have access to the lightest, finest clefts or are we being lied to?

raymond

Re: Do we really have access to the lightest, finest clefts or are we being lied to?

art

Re: Do we really have access to the lightest, finest clefts or are we being lied to?

keysersolze

Re: Do we really have access to the lightest, finest clefts or are we being lied to?

leeroy_acko

Re: Do we really have access to the lightest, finest clefts or are we being lied to?

Watsontotty

Re: Do we really have access to the lightest, finest clefts or are we being lied to?