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[SOULMAN1012]

A few of the players from my club met up tonight to play some darts and have a few beers and as normal we started talking about kit and bats then the subject if grains came up. Mainly how important is grain structure to you?

There was lots of divided opinion from players saying they don't care that grains really as no impact on how a bat will perform and that you pay twice as much for grains that are straight and even to others that swore grains equalled performance. Personally over the past year or so I have become less fussy about grains and also dead weight and more about pick up.

Just wondered does grains play a part when you pick a bat??

Discuss

[19reading87]

It used to make a difference to me it really did. Everybody openly wants a gorgeous blade to look at but as pointed out recently they are not necessarily the best performing!

Having seen the videos on here and spoken to a brand owner regular basis my next bat will be picked on performance above looks

[procricket]

I guess they do a bit I can't deny it.

It more pick up and feel but I look at the blade and I like 7-10 grains and straight I do not like blemishes and I know it does not Guarentee me a good bat either.

Pick up and feel is essential but do it with gloves on and is my most important part of the bat.

Performance for me is tested 2 inches above and below the middle (coverage over strength of middle for me) then I take a look at the grains. I have turned down bats for looks I admit that but normally on pick up I can tell if it coming home with me

As for performance well if it is pressed  well it half the battle but performance can for me only really be judge after half a season
The end out put anyway

[lewis_faulds]

I think I gives me confidence when I look down and see some nice grains
That's just me though, but then again I prefer to pick a bat on feel!!

[ads10]

i remember watching a youtube video on screaming cat bats a few months ago and Julian said bats with around 7 straight grains are the bats he likes. Was interesting considering alot of people have the more the merrier attitude towards grains.

personally i think 7 mininum just based on cosmetics alone i think timber in general looks better with some grains showing.

[lazza32]

what is the least amount of grains you have seen. I saw a 5 grainer from gabba cricket.

[Kulli]

There was a 3 grainer floating about on the forum for a while, was huge for it's weight.

[fasteddie]

Fast(er)eddie has a 4 grain Tempo.

It's an absolute gun. It took a while to knock in properly.
We've got a few from our club who want it.

My best bats have had an unknown number of grains. Until recently I never bothered. It is all about pick-up, handle, and ping.

Grains don't sway my decision.

[Northern monkey]

3 grainer? How'd that tree grow so quick?

I've never really looked at grains that much, until I came on this forum, that is

I look at the same qualities etc as Procricket has mentioned, the wearing gloves point is a very good one.
I must admit though, a guy at my club has a M&H with about 16 arrow straight grains, and the bat is just one big sweet spot .

I always remember Duncan Fearnley bats having about 7/8 thick straight grains, playing very very well

The more and more I read on here, the more I think it is down to pressing?

[joeljonno]

I used to believe the "more grains the better" however since joining CBF, I have lost all belief that looks means anything.

I am not bothered about grains, just performance.

[Red Ink Cricket]

Anything around 8-10 is absolutely fine with me. they dont have to be spaced to the exact mm either. if a bat is pressed well then grains dont really become too much of an issue. it will perform regardless. with the lack of 12+ straight grained clefts available your going to start to see alot lower grained bats for G1. yes grains look pretty but thats not everything

[Ayrtek Cricket]

Never been a major concern to me personally, yes its nice to have something thats blemish free and looks nice when you cast your eye over it but thats not going to score you more runs.

Iv had a few bats that looked great but didnt perform so id much rather have something that scores you runs but may have 5-6 grains and a few marks on it and even when miss-timing a shot or toeing one than something that looks great but doesnt.

[GarrettJ]

Performance for me is tested 2 inches above and below the middle (coverage over strength of middle for me) then I take a look at the grains. I have turned down bats for looks I admit that but normally on pick up I can tell if it coming home with me

this is exactly what i look for in a bat. Grains wise as long as there are say 8 or more and no blemishes im happy

[Kulli]

Grains will always be pretty vital on the forum until someone discovers a way to measure 'ping'.

[Northern monkey]

Measure 'ping'?

I reckon, because woods natural, we are never gonna truly be able to accurately measure it. It's a feel thing anyway, , way too much mysticism about ping.

Now , how can performance be measured?? Again, is it possible? Or purely personal?

I wonder, if years ago, top class tennis pros had the same questions regarding tennis racquets ?