So, here they are. My last two purchases of the off season bat wise.
A hammer koning le and a red ink custom x1 le
Both grade one, and both available for less than 200 quid. So how do they weigh up against each other and against other g1 bats of higher prices.
Koning le( grade 1, Indian made)
First things first the disappointment as it came out the box.
You'd think they'd fit a grip that covered the entire handle! This is well short. Not to matter as it's been binned for my normal 2 grip set up, chevron base, octopus top grip.
Weight, it's 2.14.7 with 2 grips. A tad light for me but usable. Was the heaviest koning available, and apart from a black, was one of the heaviest hammers available. And I've always wanted a hammer in my collection so went for it(Jason stated it as 2.13 when it left the US of A with 1 grip).
The bat. Picks up okay for a low middled bat, has a lovely high spine. Can tell it's handmade, and on a budget though as both edges don't quite match each other in size and shape, but it's not far off.
It feels a little soft, but the ping is lovely in the middle, and feels great, but goes dead quickly near to the sticker.
Stickers aren't very well applied, main one off to the left a little, back ones bubbling, small le on the edge is already falling off.
Toe guard is a strange soft rubber, but glad it has one,
Personally I believe it is worth the 175 I paid for it. And would like to thank paul at ijc for bringing it in to the country and knocking it in for me.
Red ink custom x1 le(grade 1 English made)
This is my second red ink. Unfortunately my first had an issue with the handle offering no anti vibration at all, and had some huge dead spots. Which was a shame as the sharp and pick up we're perfect. John offered a replacement, and this is it.
I asked for 2.13 with 1 grip, unfortunately it came at 2.12 6 with one grip, and 2.14 3 with 2, so it's a tad lighter than the original.
I asked for a very low middled traditional profiled bat, with a high spine. But as I wanted weight, I wanted the extra weight in the toe and edges low down, as opposed to hidden in the shoulders.
The new bat has a higher spine, and has the middle higher than the original. This makes it pick up even lighter than it should. Which for me used to using a heavy bat, is too light.
On to the bat itself.
It is a lovely piece of wood, 7grains, nice and straight, mainly clean, but with a mark just below the stickers. Pressing feels good. And the ping is excellent.
The middle is very extended, and is still nice and pingy into the 1st 2 inch of the stickers.
The finish is excellent, very high standard. Very smooth.
John fitted an anti scuff, and due to me adding a toe guard and knocking the original in. He did both before sending (excellent customer service, cheers).
The toe guard is a thick grey one, with grippy dimples, I am impressed with the used materials.
Personall I believe this bat is worth more than the £180 I paid for it. It is. Very very good value for money.
In terms of quality and finishing, and value, the red ink beats this hammer hands down. Although that says more for the red ink quality, as opposed to the hammers lack off.
How do they compare to others I have in my collection?
My b3s are my best bats in all ways, and it's would be hard for these too to be better IMO, but they do get close. For much less money(b3 3stripe £325)
The red ink is on par with my gm six6 original in terms of finishing, looks and pingy ness.(gm original £300)
The hammer, is below other more expensive grade 1s I have in my collection. But not in a way that means it isn't worth the buy, it's certainly a bargain for someone wanting a grade 1 bat, with a high end sticker for half the normal price.
They just need to not rush the grip application, and sticker applying IMO.
Also big thanks to jake at vitas, for sendin me a truckload of kook bat covers for my bats
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Topic: Bargain g1 willow? Hammer koning vs red ink custom (Read 4881 times)