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[Aldred Cricket Bats]

Well my Gold Sovereign has arrived, it's gorgeous.  It's absolutely superbly finished and I don't think the butterfly stain even looks ugly, it gives it character.  I wonder if I should have gone for a tiny bit lighter pickup, I can feel it's a tad heavier than my usual 2-8 but I'm splitting hairs.  Can't wait to use it, must be patient!  Been getting some funny looks playing air shots in the office. 
One question Paul (and might help other customers), you say they'll take a bit longer than some bats to "open up", I don't have the luxury of being able to spend hours in the nets, so would loads of extra knocking in with the mallet concentrating around the butterfly mark help to get it ready quicker?

Yes spend a bit longer with the mallet then get an hours worth of throw downs with descent old balls. It may not take too long to knock in, you will tell by the feel of it and looking as the face isn't showing signs of dents. Small surface cracks are good as it shows a really nice piece of responsive willow.

[tim2000s]

I'll more than happily hit a few 1000 balls on he bowling machine with it if you want

Can have it back to you by next weekend

Didn't you read the other thread? That will damage the bat causing delamination and performance degradation. Or something

Actually, on that note, Paul, what's your view on using the Bola as part of the knocking in/preparation process?

[felix]

I'll more than happily hit a few 1000 balls on he bowling machine with it if you want

Can have it back to you by next weekend

As if  remember I'm a newbie here so no taking advantage!

[ProCricketer1982]

As if  remember I'm a newbie here so no taking advantage!

Worth a shot

[Aldred Cricket Bats]

Didn't you read the other thread? That will damage the bat causing delamination and performance degradation. Or something

Actually, on that note, Paul, what's your view on using the Bola as part of the knocking in/preparation process?

Not a big fan to be honest. There are no short cuts, all the bats that are supposed to be ready to play just aren't really you can't imitate the process, if its worth doing its worth doing well and it helps your bat survive. It's the way of the world now I'm afraid if there seems to be an easy option people will take it.
  I know when I was playing we used to have throw downs from new but we controlled how we hit the ball as in starting gently and working the power up over a period of time as and when we felt it was right until you felt confident that it was ready.

[kasabian21]

My Supreme arrived today. I'll write a detailed review with photos over the weekend at some point. All I'll say is this: it looks absolutely stunning and I'm half tempted to put it in a glass case and have it on display in my living room! I've not stopped smelling it either haha. 

[Nmcgee]

Here's a lovely velocity off out to Australia 2-8 and a real nice feel to it

Magnificent. I can hardly wait for it to arrive. Thanks Paul.

[tim2000s]

Just thought I'd post a quick comment to say thanks Paul. I've spent a couple of hours beating the living daylights out of the lb that came to London,  and got bored so decided to use it in nets tonight.

It works very well,  and does exactly as it is supposed to at a great price.  Very impressed with it. And as you say,  hitting the stain with a ball doesn't cause undue vibration.  It sounds slightly different,  but still flies off the bat face.

Once again,  thanks!

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[ProCricketer1982]

now I can't wait to see and use mine!!

[GarrettJ]

In the 1920's some 200 willow setts from Cowfold & Beltring were planted opposite the cricket field in Robertsbridge, but they were found to be hard and of poor quality. More recently however a tree was cut in Robertsbridge that was nearly fifty inches around the trunk after only nine years. Len Newbery, who was manager of Gray Nicolls until his death in 1976 said "The timber of the salix alba caerulea is distinguished by a bright orange stain that is known in the trade as the butterfly stain. when these stains appear on the blades of bats the players often reject such bats thinking that they are faulty whereas they are the hallmark of simply the finest willow."

[tim2000s]

In the 1920's some 200 willow setts from Cowfold & Beltring were planted opposite the cricket field in Robertsbridge, but they were found to be hard and of poor quality. More recently however a tree was cut in Robertsbridge that was nearly fifty inches around the trunk after only nine years. Len Newbery, who was manager of Gray Nicolls until his death in 1976 said "The timber of the salix alba caerulea is distinguished by a bright orange stain that is known in the trade as the butterfly stain. when these stains appear on the blades of bats the players often reject such bats thinking that they are faulty whereas they are the hallmark of simply the finest willow."

Butterfly suddenly becomes pro grade 1+++++++++

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[Aldred Cricket Bats]

Watch this space we have some beauties in now I have got used to what to look for

[Bats_Entertainment]

In the 1920's some 200 willow setts from Cowfold & Beltring were planted opposite the cricket field in Robertsbridge, but they were found to be hard and of poor quality. More recently however a tree was cut in Robertsbridge that was nearly fifty inches around the trunk after only nine years. Len Newbery, who was manager of Gray Nicolls until his death in 1976 said "The timber of the salix alba caerulea is distinguished by a bright orange stain that is known in the trade as the butterfly stain. when these stains appear on the blades of bats the players often reject such bats thinking that they are faulty whereas they are the hallmark of simply the finest willow."

If the trunk is big after only a few years, doesn't that mean the grains will be wide?

[Maverick79]

Watch this space we have some beauties in now I have got used to what to look for

Ooooh, can't wait for mine! 

[Seniorplayer]

It is usual to find that the older the tree the more grains you get they are also narrower.