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[TheBiologist]

Just got my new Sirius X profile Red Ink delivered and here is the first look. I had asked John for a bat with undressed weight of 2.8 max, no concaving, super short handle (oval at the bottom, round at the top and slightly more thickness at the bottom), a light pickup and a price of less than 120 pounds.. He recommended the Sirius X profile and after a series of email communications I decided to go for a grade 3 Sirius X.

The bat picks up really well, lighter than my previous bats and definitely a lot better than any of the bats of my teammates that I had used in the last two seasons. It came with a clear scuff sheet on the face and a toe guard. I took an old ball and gently tossed it with the bat to get a feel for the vibration coming off the bat. When the ball hit near the soft spot or in the area from the sweet spot towards the toe, there was very little jarring/vibration coming to the handle, a lot less than my previous bat. However, when the ball hit above or below the sweet spot the pingy feeling was gone and there was some vibration coming to the handle. The sweet spot as of now (the bat is not knocked in yet) is fairly small, maybe because it is a very lightweight bat with not a whole lot of wood in it. I do not have a mallet or the skill to do the knocking in myself and hence getting it done by someone experienced. So I gave the bat yesterday to a guy who knocks in the bats of many players in my league and he mentioned that the bat needs a lot of knocking in and the vibrations should go away after knocking it in properly. John mentioned the same thing in another thread  that I had posted about the bat. Hopefully after knocking in the sweet spot gets bigger too. I really need this bat to perform decently and last two seasons as most likely I will not be able to afford another bat until next year. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Posting some pics of the bat here. They are not so good as I took them in my lab desk before sending the bat for knocking in.







The handle is thinned than I had expected and I am going to put on another bat grip or a half grip as I grip the bottom pretty hard. You can find the link to the thread discussing it here (http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=30681).

I will post more pics and a detailed review of the bat + bat buying experience once the bat is knocked in and match ready.

[Alvaro]

I think you've done very nicely there.
Can't beat some good old fashioned knocking in

[simonmay5]

Trust me when knocked inn they will perform very well I just finished knocking mine in and it goes like a train and mine is 2.8 as well every bat will have a lit bit off vibration if you toe it or get one high up that's part off the game when you middle it you will soon learn not to use the to 

[kal_m]

That looks really really good for something that is classified as grade 3. Much better than a lot of so called grade 2's that I have seen. All the best with it bud!If possible I will see you in a game as I am planning to play for Fairfax.

[TheBiologist]

Trust me when knocked inn they will perform very well I just finished knocking mine in and it goes like a train and mine is 2.8 as well every bat will have a lit bit off vibration if you toe it or get one high up that's part off the game when you middle it you will soon learn not to use the to 

Has the middle/sweet zone (not sure what to call it) gotten any bigger after knocking it in ?

That looks really really good for something that is classified as grade 3. Much better than a lot of so called grade 2's that I have seen. All the best with it bud!If possible I will see you in a game as I am planning to play for Fairfax.

Thanks Kal! Anyway, we are playing Fairfax on next Sunday. Not 100% sure if I am playing the next game yet, but I will let you know if I do. If I don't find you on the field then you can spot me with the Iron Maiden and heavy metal stickers on my helmet. 

[Red Ink Cricket]

If it's anything like mine it will perform. Mines been knocked in and has had one game. Probably could do with a bit more playing in but it goes well. Some bats take a little more prep than others. It's quite early to be making judgements on the bat, particularly as it's not knocked in and hasn't hit a ball in anger yet. Also have to play with the bat a little before you fully adjust to it. Sure you won't have any problems and will be happy with it once it's ready to go.

[simonmay5]

Has the middle/sweet zone (not sure what to call it) gotten any bigger after knocking it in ?

Thanks Kal! Anyway, we are playing Fairfax on next Sunday. Not 100% sure if I am playing the next game yet, but I will let you know if I do. If I don't find you on the field then you can spot me with the Iron Maiden and heavy metal stickers on my helmet. 

After knocking in the bats will get better but you have to get in the net and start playing it in they will perform well I am very pleased with my first red ink and I love the profile just get used to the bat and it will soon come alive and if looked after their will be know issues off getting two seasons out off it as you only play 18 games a season I shaw it will last well past their and another thing that I not sure off out in the states is the quality off the balls used in games this can have a big impact on how your bat feels 

[i12breakfree]

For a grade 3 bat that looks really nice. Nice profile too

[kal_m]

Thanks Kal! Anyway, we are playing Fairfax on next Sunday. Not 100% sure if I am playing the next game yet, but I will let you know if I do. If I don't find you on the field then you can spot me with the Iron Maiden and heavy metal stickers on my helmet. 

If you are playing Fairfax next Sunday then I will definitely not be playing as would be representing WMCB in the ACCL tournament playing against NJCL. But I hope I'll be able to catch you sometime.

[sgcricket]

looks good for a grade 3

[mujju]

Nice bat ..

[fasteddie]

It looks as if it has one of those 'clear' parallel knots running side to side near the middle. I think they where called 'handlebar'? in another thread (quote procricket B3)

I've knocked in a couple of bats with that and that could very well ping very nicely indeed.

Looks very nice for G3.

[TheBiologist]

After knocking in the bats will get better but you have to get in the net and start playing it in they will perform well I am very pleased with my first red ink and I love the profile just get used to the bat and it will soon come alive and if looked after their will be know issues off getting two seasons out off it as you only play 18 games a season I shaw it will last well past their and another thing that I not sure off out in the states is the quality off the balls used in games this can have a big impact on how your bat feels

The balls a few years back were horrible. But the red balls that we used last season were pretty good. I am yet to see the balls that the league got this year, but I heard that they are from the same supplier in Pakistan. 

If you are playing Fairfax next Sunday then I will definitely not be playing as would be representing WMCB in the ACCL tournament playing against NJCL. But I hope I'll be able to catch you sometime.

Cool. Just saw a cricinfo article where they have mentioned the ACCL tournament. Good luck!

I am happy with my purchase and no qualms about what I got. I went for the lightweight bat with light pick up to aid bat speed in my cross batted shots. From the way it picks up I have no doubt that it will do that job.