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[ProWannabe88]

Don't mind the odd bit of graping and butterfly blobs here and there. My aspect on bats has changed though over the years. I know when selling abat it has to look good as well as play, aesthetics will always play a large part for the customer. Personally, I couldbt care less what a bats face looks like anymore. As long as the ball clears the ropes when I slog to cow corner I don't mind my LE has 10 perfectly even grains and to be fair goes like nothing else I've had... It's better than my RPC which takes some doing. But... I've got a six grainer that has a few marks here and there and that s no slouch if it picks up nice and plays how you want there shouldn't ever be an issue.

[GarrettJ]

2nd best bat i have ever used was a County reflex 5 star. After most games someone either asked if i was selling it or where they could get one from. My Dad just went into the local sports shop and picked it up for my older brother on the recommendation of the shopkeeper based on the price range ....... it was a long handle though!

[LNB]

I don't care about blemishes on my bats or the number of grains, as long as the bat feels right and has a good middle.The CA bat i brought is not the best looking but it feels good and goes like a train.
I do put the fiberglass sheets over the face of my bats so can't really see grains or blemishes.

[SOULMAN1012]

amrit agree 100%

I think what may happen is batmakers see the blemishes when they plane the face and know instantly that a bat wont sell for top dollar. They then press it harder so it lasts longer so invariably a bad looking bat wont see its way into the hands of a pro and just end up in the cheap bin. They really arent given a chance and often why people buy a lower grade bat and it turns out to be a real performer.

When you get wavy grains, knots and blemishes then they deservedly go as a lower grade.

From experience of at least one master pod shaver this would never be the case, it may not make top grade to a shop to go on there shelf but it will remain top grade from them at the factory. This is because when someone makes a personal visit and feels the response from the mallet the appearance becomes irrelevant a lot of the time.

There would be no point pressing the blade harder as then you have an ugly plank and that's the reputation that customer could/ would have. If that customer for example happened to be a member f a forum like this then the review would be awful and the brand reputation would be damaged.

[GarrettJ]

I don't think smaller brands do it and especially not Salix that you are referring to

I have an ugly GN bat and it is pressed like concrete and do is my brothers sports direct Slazenger. I've seen and used other GNs that are the same and Adidas

They would never press and straight 10 grainer legend clefy like that.

[Buzz]

For me on blemishes - graping is good everything else, especially pin knots I try to avoid.

[GarrettJ]

whats the issue with pin knots? My MH Distinction had one on the face near the edge, didnt seem to be an issue.

Do they weaken the blade or are they just basically dead wood?

[Buzz]

I have had a couple of bats which I felt were dead around the area of the pin knot and even when on the edge it still impacted across the blade.

Having said that, it equally have been the pressing, or most likely the user...

[Blank Bats]

it depends where the blemish is

in the right place they can strengthen the blade.

[toenails97]

So what do you guys think about this blemish on the bat, it's a butterfly stain and my best ever bat has had one; so when I went to pick up a new bat I didn't dismiss it because of the looks. I could have gotten a 14 ruler straight and even grained bat however it didn't feel as nice when I picked it up and played a few shadow shots....pinged just as good mind! So do you guys dismiss bats if they don't look nice but ping and feel amazing? Just out of curiosity to be honest...here's the bat I bought from a select bunch - may I just add its huge for its weight!

[pacman75cricket]

Looks stunning to me?

[toenails97]

Looks stunning to me?

Same to me just I'm sure people would dismiss it without giving it a chance because it doesn't have 30 straight and even grains!

[mussaduq]

No doubt that the bat looks awesome, but when buying a top of the range cricket bat people expect it to be fully clean, no stains or marks on it !

[toenails97]

No doubt that the bat looks awesome, but when buying a top of the range cricket bat people expect it to be fully clean, no stains or marks on it !

Yeah I can see where your coming from but sometimes I think you've got to go more for feel

[mini998]

Don't you think it would have looked better if the handle was fit on the other side of the cleft?
Just the aesthetics, I'm sure it's a great bat.