Grade 1 willow - How should it look?
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Vitas Cricket

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Re: Grade 1 willow - How should it look?
« Reply #15 on: March 24, 2014, 09:54:35 AM »
Quote from: rhino25 on March 24, 2014, 09:49:12 AM
Ok, my PC is playing games and this is the third attempt at a reply.  I can't get the pics to upload, so i'll offer a description.

I have a bat with 10 grains, not 100% straight but pretty good.  There is a minor blemish on the face and about 10mm of heartwood on the RH outside edge.  The bat pings very well.

Going by the comments it'll have to score a lot of runs to be a G1 ;)

custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=7712.0
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tim2000s

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Re: Grade 1 willow - How should it look?
« Reply #16 on: March 24, 2014, 10:02:23 AM »
On a serious note, we've had this debate endless times.

Grading can only ever be purely cosmetic, as even the user makes a difference as to how the bat performs. When the Stig gets hold of my Butterfly bat, I expect to see it fly in a way that it will never do for me.

Having said that, the SG VS319 that I had, which had ruler straight grains, no blemishes and looked beautiful was, without doubt, a complete dog. No-one who used it liked it. It felt dead. It absolutely qualified as Grade 1 for looks.

As others have said, grading is not and never will be a good way of determining how good a bat is, just how beautiful it is supposed to look, and even that is in the eye of the beholder...!
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trypewriter

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Re: Grade 1 willow - How should it look?
« Reply #17 on: March 24, 2014, 10:02:33 AM »
I think the grading should purely be done on cosmetics. It's almost impossible to say how well a bat will perform when it is properly played in, and let's face it, the majority of us (and I include myself) are not noted for patience in this area. Similarly, if it were possible to grade purely on performance I can't see much of a market for low performing bats. Possibly the best over all advice in respect of bats has come as a by product of butterfly stained bats. In that they more than likely will take longer to fully open up and perform. Perhaps not a great marketing tool in these 'want it now' times, but balanced by this type of bat potentially having greater durability?
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rhino25

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Re: Grade 1 willow - How should it look?
« Reply #18 on: March 24, 2014, 10:22:39 AM »
Righto take 2 for a photo:

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fasteddie

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Re: Grade 1 willow - How should it look?
« Reply #19 on: March 24, 2014, 10:27:39 AM »
No picture, but imagine Steffi Graf's legs in her pomp.

That's what G1 should look like.

 ;)
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MD2812

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Re: Grade 1 willow - How should it look?
« Reply #20 on: March 24, 2014, 10:33:25 AM »
Is this now harder to define because of the gradings being expanded?

It used to be that G1 was for the top bats. but now you have manufacturers charging £100 difference for G1 clefts across their range! (e.g. Newbery Kudos to Newbery Krakatoa)  both are Grade 1 so why the difference?

Plus the grade system now seems to be:

Pro
Limited Edition
G1+ (optional extra +'s)
G1
G2
G3
Performance Cleft
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rhino25

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Re: Grade 1 willow - How should it look?
« Reply #21 on: March 24, 2014, 11:42:41 AM »
take 3...

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smilley792

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Re: Grade 1 willow - How should it look?
« Reply #22 on: March 24, 2014, 11:47:29 AM »
Take 2 worked for me.


It's on the edge in my opinion. I've seen that graded as 2 many times. But I have and worse sent to me as grade 1!


One custom bat makers grade 1 is apparently what ever they have left. As when I questioned said stick, there reply was "it's the only cleft I have left sorry". Well maybe you shouldnt have took my money then.
« Last Edit: March 24, 2014, 11:51:24 AM by smilley792 »
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GarrettJ

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Re: Grade 1 willow - How should it look?
« Reply #23 on: March 24, 2014, 11:54:06 AM »
Has to be grade 2 because the blemish is in the playing area

It doesn't mean the bat is going to perform any worse though, a lot of people struggle with that concept.
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rhino25

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Re: Grade 1 willow - How should it look?
« Reply #24 on: March 24, 2014, 12:48:14 PM »
So next thing, does the batmaker or their reputation prove the grading? Or just the price payable for said grade?
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mattw

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Re: Grade 1 willow - How should it look?
« Reply #25 on: March 24, 2014, 12:52:40 PM »
Until there is an industry standard, anything could be classed as 'Grade 1' in theory - it's all personal preference.
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Buzz

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Re: Grade 1 willow - How should it look?
« Reply #26 on: March 24, 2014, 12:53:26 PM »
Quote from: rhino25 on March 24, 2014, 12:48:14 PM
So next thing, does the batmaker or their reputation prove the grading? Or just the price payable for said grade?

the batmaker will set the price as to what is commercially viable for him.

Like a leading Lawyer - a leading batmaker will be able to charge more for their services as they will be in demand.

but that isn't to say a junior barrister wont be able to get you off the charge just as easily at a more reasonable cost...
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kal_m

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Re: Grade 1 willow - How should it look?
« Reply #27 on: March 25, 2014, 02:39:58 AM »
I would assume that G1 should have 8+ straight and evenly spaced grains and no blemishes on the face. Atleast this is what I would expect if I am buying something that is listed as G1. Some pics from my collection...

GM Luna DXM Original LE



BAS 20/20 Bow LE



Slazenger HyperBlade Jacques Kallis Signature LE



B&S LE



SS Ton Gladiator



Kookaburra Recoil 900

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rhino25

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Re: Grade 1 willow - How should it look?
« Reply #28 on: March 25, 2014, 03:22:16 AM »
nice selection of willow Kal. Like the look of the B&S.  I think being LE classed bats, they should be like the pics you put up for sure.

I guess i want the willow to look clean AND perform well.  the pic i put up certainly performs well, and i'm happy to pay for it after using it, but you can't 'try before you buy' a bat so i guess looks it is...
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tim2000s

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Re: Grade 1 willow - How should it look?
« Reply #29 on: March 25, 2014, 07:21:54 AM »
I think the 5 Crown caerulex that Vitas posted is about as perfect a demonstration of grade 1 willow as you will find....
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