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[lazza32]

Alright guys I need someone to break the deadlock. I have my birthday coming up and have decided to treat myself to a new blade. The only problem is I can't split the Hellfire or Affinity Ayrtek. Comments please

[smokem]

It's a tough choice... I might lean towards the Affinity as it is a little more exclusive. Or maybe it's because I now have a H4L (which feels awesome off the mallet) and want something different!

[piethepker]

I don't think you could go wrong with both? Maybe just get the one that profile suits you best, price, who has the best customer service etc

[Chad]

I have an Affinity Spectre, which is beautifully made and responds really nicely. The Ayrtek Affinity looks to be a higher middled Spectre, and has a similar profile to my Bulldog, which is really nice too.

In terms of H4L, I've had two pass through my hands, and they were both DVL grades, but performed excellently. I haven't seen a Hellfire in the flesh yet, but I'm sure Paul will do a review of one soon.

If I had to pick between the both, I would probably pick the one which I prefer the stickers of, so the Affinity would have the edge, but only just!

[Gcricket]

Go for the Affinity, looks like a better bat

[Chad]

Go for the Affinity, looks like a better bat

How does it look like a better bat? If I was going for a bat based on the batmaker, I would actually probably be more inclined with the H4L, as Matt has been making bats for longer. No offense to Marcus, who does make a lovely bat as well, but if I had no previous knowledge, or never seen any of the bats in flesh, I would be inclined to go for the batmaker with more experience and satisfied customers if I was going for the 'better' bat.

[Jogetnz]

I have a H4L Hellfire stickered up as a Tempo, I've been working hard on breaking it in over the winter and its feeling like a superb stick. It feels softly pressed compared to my Bulldog and makes a wonderful deep sound, pickup is good. Maybe an Affinity owner can offer their opinion on the pressing, all things equal it's about the only thing a bat maker can do differently to enhance the willow, others probably will disagree with this last statement.

[FvanN]

Let's face it if you took the stickers off both bats and had a go with each I bet there would be almost no difference between the two. So pick the one with the stickers you prefer.

If it were me I would be picking H4L

[ogroupleader]

Let's face it if you took the stickers off both bats and had a go with each I bet there would be almost no difference between the two. So pick the one with the stickers you prefer.

If it were me I would be picking H4L

Really? Have you used a lot of different bats?

[Simmy]

having owed both and tapped both up with mallets etc

you wont go wrong with either

[Ayrtek Cricket]

FYI we have the Bat I posted up recently available still that was 2.9

Either the Affinity or H4L will serve you well as they are made by people who know what they are doing in the bat making world and how to get the best out of a cleft.

[Julesoak]

I have used H4L bats and think they are cracking.

Not used an Affinity, but there doesn't seem to be much coming out of the Ayrtek camp that isn't top quality.

[lazza32]

Where's the link Mr Ayrtek. I can only find a pair of 2.10.

[ajmw89]

H4L will leave you with more money left in your pocket.  Personally I'd go H4L, because Matt is a lovely chap and all the part mades I've had from him have been absolutely top drawer!

[FvanN]

Really? Have you used a lot of different bats?

I have used a few bats in my time but not either of the two mentioned.

My point was more aimed at the fact that if you used a top of the line H4L and a top of the line Affinity I would think that there would be almost nothing between the two in terms of performance (which is what I would expect from two top pod shavers).
One profile might suit your style of play better than the other but IMHO that you wont know till you pick them up and have a bash with each.