Top end or not top end that is the question
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Aldred Cricket Bats

Top end or not top end that is the question
« on: January 09, 2014, 02:53:31 PM »
Had a lot of people asking about the differences between top grade and grade 3 or butterfly so just threw this together in the workshop today for you. It's just off the top of my head really so a a bit segmented but gives you an idea of my thoughts. Not only does my honesty prevent me from telling everyone to buy top grade bats but also for the future of our willow stocks as we can't keep expecting them to keep producing perfect clean many grained willow clefts

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cricketbadger

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Re: Top end or not top end that is the question
« Reply #1 on: January 09, 2014, 03:06:14 PM »
Really admire the honesty, its a breathe of fresh air, and probably in my opinion a major factor as to why your bats have taken off so well and you have the great reputation.

Like you said you are telling people they don't need to buy the top end bats to get the best bats, so not really doing your sales any favours, but at the same time, your honesty will I'm sure, persuade people into buying your bats, and returning over and over again in the future.

Cant wait to get my hands on mine
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fasteddie

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Re: Top end or not top end that is the question
« Reply #2 on: January 09, 2014, 03:13:49 PM »
First class advice.

Something tells me the Aldred brand is going to be much bigger over the next few years.
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ajmw89

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Re: Top end or not top end that is the question
« Reply #3 on: January 09, 2014, 03:23:47 PM »
Very well put Paul.  Looks aren't everything.  All about performance!
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cesare_in

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Re: Top end or not top end that is the question
« Reply #4 on: January 09, 2014, 03:24:20 PM »
Great video!! I was also under the assumption that Grade 1 clefts (when they are graded) are comparatively lighter to an equivalent of a lower grade?
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procricket

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Re: Top end or not top end that is the question
« Reply #5 on: January 09, 2014, 03:24:25 PM »
May i ask how much are these Butterfly stained bats????

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mr_wickets

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Re: Top end or not top end that is the question
« Reply #6 on: January 09, 2014, 03:26:06 PM »
Good to hear honesty like that!
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Aldred Cricket Bats

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Re: Top end or not top end that is the question
« Reply #7 on: January 09, 2014, 03:28:49 PM »
Butterfly is £135 shipped in uk. No the grade 3 and butterfly can be just as light as anything else really.
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GarrettJ

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Re: Top end or not top end that is the question
« Reply #8 on: January 09, 2014, 03:29:04 PM »
Quote from: cesare_in on January 09, 2014, 03:24:20 PM
Great video!! I was also under the assumption that Grade 1 clefts (when they are graded) are comparatively lighter to an equivalent of a lower grade?

graded on the grains at the bottom of the cleft, no mention of weight. They can be downgraded once prepared though.

These so called "crown clefts" are what you have described, super good looks and the weight below the magic number
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Gingerbusiness

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Re: Top end or not top end that is the question
« Reply #9 on: January 09, 2014, 03:41:29 PM »
Great words.

I had a 6 grain MB Malik Zulfi (Grade 2/3) once. Was a student and brought it off eBay for £50 - It is still going!! Sold it to a teammate for £60 after using it for 5 years (Cheeky!) - Its clocked over 5000 runs now, never cracked, just about now needing a new handle.

It is certainly not about having Grade 1, nor are Grade 1s necessarily better performing. I have a few mates who went pro when I did back in 2002, who are still playing county level, who maintain to this day that butterfly staining on a bat makes it better - and I tend to agree.

TBH I reckon the best batmakers can press a piece of lumber into a decent cricket bat - it is about time and experience in cricket bat making.
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tushar sehgal

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Re: Top end or not top end that is the question
« Reply #10 on: January 09, 2014, 03:43:53 PM »
Good video Paul. A quick question, are you using the same finishing as the grade 1 on these butterfly stained bats? Only reason I ask is becasue I don't understand why polish the bat (with stains) to look whiter when it might look better with a darker finish? also considering the fact that some are now saying stains are beautiful, add character etc...why diminish the look of it then?

May be I am old school but I prefer the look of my bats better once I have had a chance to coat them in linseed oil etc, I wonder how good a butterfly stain would look if its shiny smooth finish without the whitening product....
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MD2812

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Re: Top end or not top end that is the question
« Reply #11 on: January 09, 2014, 03:50:28 PM »
Great video!!

Also, love the stickers on these bats!

Will remember this when next in the market for a bat!!

A BC Joker replica mayhaps, mmmm this can make the mind wonder!
« Last Edit: January 09, 2014, 03:52:34 PM by MD2812 »
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smilley792

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Re: Top end or not top end that is the question
« Reply #12 on: January 09, 2014, 04:02:29 PM »
Great video,


I have and aldred velocity grade 3 and in the nets it feels every bit as good as paul makes out.


As you say paul it is down to pressing, nothing else.
I've found with some bat manufacturers, say gunn and moore, that they over press there 606/808 models. Which means they are hard, and last a while(good for budget conscious batsmen) but the performance isn't quite there, and sometimes it can take a good season or so to open up,
Yet there top bats, original and original l.e are pressed for performance, and go very early in there life.
These bats if you want instant performance, you have to spend the doh.



But with small manufacturers like aldred, that roses to perfection, it's good to know the lower end will perform just as well as the higher end stuff.
Good luck in your ventures paul, I'm sure you'll do well.

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Aldred Cricket Bats

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Re: Top end or not top end that is the question
« Reply #13 on: January 09, 2014, 04:03:44 PM »
Quote from: tushar sehgal on January 09, 2014, 03:43:53 PM
Good video Paul. A quick question, are you using the same finishing as the grade 1 on these butterfly stained bats? Only reason I ask is becasue I don't understand why polish the bat (with stains) to look whiter when it might look better with a darker finish? also considering the fact that some are now saying stains are beautiful, add character etc...why diminish the look of it then?

May be I am old school but I prefer the look of my bats better once I have had a chance to coat them in linseed oil etc, I wonder how good a butterfly stain would look if its shiny smooth finish without the whitening product....

Exactly the same polishing techniques and materials are used its just the natural colour of the willow nothing added apart from 2 light coats of oil during the making before they have the final sanding and finishing
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cricketbadger

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Re: Top end or not top end that is the question
« Reply #14 on: January 09, 2014, 04:19:49 PM »
If you ever need an apprentice/trainee, give me a shout I'd love to get involved and learn the trade
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