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[Mattsky]

So after much research and pondering, I recently opted to send some business in Streaky's direction by way of a new stick of willow. Now I'm not a bat badger - I've had my trusty Mjolnir for around a decade. But I fancied a change. And since I don't buy a bat every season, I thought I'd go for broke and opt for an ultralight Crown willow to a bespoke design. In fact, the design is based on Saad's bat that B3 produced for him a little while ago, which some of you may remember.

A bit about me: I'm not a huge chap: 5'7", weighing just under 11 stone. I either open the batting or come in down the order to shore things up. More of a strokeplayer than a power hitter, I favour the back foot but need to drive if the ball's up there.

So I was after a balanced, lightweight 'strokemaker's' bat for both front & backfoot shots, where bat speed and value for middled and off-centre shots is more important than huge 'look at me' edges. (Much along the line of thought behind Saad's bat.)

Here's the much-deliberated specs I sent to Dr.David 'Streaky' Bacon:

* Around 2lb8 with grip & stickers
* Light density cleft (or even Crown, depending on cost) for ping & performance above looks
* Pressed to extract maximum ping for the selected cleft
* Mid middle
* No concaving to the middle of the bat (to get the longest and widest middle possible)
* Gentle concaving to toe and shoulder area only (to aid pickup and to allow more wood behind middle)
* No massive edges at expense of middle
* Offset edges only if it helps lengthen the middle?
* No or very gentle bow to blade (if it helps pickup)
* Traditional thinner-shaped toe & traditional oval toe profile to help pick up (not squared-off toe shape)
* Modern flatter face with reduced radius (not entirely flat) with edges rounded off
* Since I'm 5'7", supershort oval handle (unless it adversely affects pickup)


Following a few exchanges with Streaky about his recommended cleft choice, the profile, stickers and what have you, the bat is finally in my hands.
And oh my word. It's an exquisite thing of beauty and latent power.


Vital statistics:
Crown cleft at 369 density
Max spine height of 52mm
Max edge thickness of 38mm
Weight with stickers & 1x grip 2lb 8.5oz

I wasn't going to unleash it this season, but I may give it a cheeky run out this weekend. It's just too tempting not to. 
































Saad's bat reference below (Streaky needed to amend the design from Saad's due to the difference in weight):

http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=26189.0
http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=30129.0

[calcurtis98]

Oh my wow, that's a gorgeous bat.

[Seniorplayer]

That's an absolute belter of a bat and  the right spec for a 5ft 7 batsman.

[e4sby]

That is a gorgeous looking piece of willow, I'm sure you'll be very happy with it - another cracking bat leaving the B3 factory.

I'm looking forward to using mine on Saturday - weather dependant.

[Beaup123]

Oh my word, that is a lovely bat,

Looks very similar to the six6 profile, with a lower spine and minimal concaving, with a mid placed middle

Great bat mate, those B3 boys really know what they're doing

[Kal]

It's a looker that's for sure. Very tempted to get a b3 myself...

[procricket]

Very very nice bat and design mate this is in the elite catogory of bats a great bat you got there very nice indeed.

[Ams4287]

Stunning piece of willow! Nothing more to say 

[Six Sixes Cricket]

Tremendous

[cam66]

great looking bat

[mp07]

This def. Looks like a pro grade and I am sure it will play as well. How is the pickup on scale 1 to 5? 1 being best..

[Blank Bats]

Looks a beauty mate

[Mattsky]

This def. Looks like a pro grade and I am sure it will play as well. How is the pickup on scale 1 to 5? 1 being best..

At the end of the day, it is really all about how a bat performs. The proof is in the pudding, but from bouncing a ball on it, I don't think I'll be disappointed. As for pickup,  given that it has a mid profile middle, is a lightweight bat at 2lb 8oz and is made from a low density cleft, I'd put it at a solid 2. Stick another grip on it to counterbalance some of the weight lower down, and it'd pick up even better.

[GarrettJ]

Nice piece if willow, not too many grains.

[Neon Cricket]

"is a lightweight bat at 5lb 8oz"

Nice and light that haha

Genuinely beautiful bat though, one of the best I've seen in a while