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[Jenko]

Have you tried emailing him and asking where he gets his grips from chad? Sure he would be happy to help out! Shame he has stopped SC, I feel slightly disloyal for getting my last couple of bats from laver now and not getting one last SCAT

[amritpremi]

So that makes SC bat now a rarer commodity and should possibly raise the value of my Cat  .

[GarrettJ]

I spoke to him yesterday and he is holding off on everything while this kick starter thing is starting up

[eukaryote76]

Based in Brissie I was excited to learn about this podshaving academy project. Your mind races and you wonder whetre this could lead you. I really didn't know too much about kick-starter, but it seems a good way of trying to get funding. I really hope it works for him, and I know a few people, myself included, who would go on a week long course to make a bat. That said, I'm not sure how good a bat I could make with just two goes, however. Or indeed if I would be skilled enough to pass on that tradition and contribute to keeping it going. No problem, you say. Buy some clefts and keep refining your skill, you say. Maybe sell a few on the way. Unfortunately I was speaking to another Australian gentleman who was telling me just how difficult it was to get all the tools and kit in this part of the world. He works in cricket and said it had taken him a couple of years to assemble, and was at the point starting production when he hit his biggest snag. That being, after proving he was a genuine cricket business, and not just a willow intermediary, he was put on a waiting list for willow. After 18 months of waiting he got the call to say the willow wasn't coming, something to do with exchange rates and greater demand in India. Anyway that was my new best dream for a different future conceived and trounced on in under 24hrs. So it could be an interesting 'holiday' and possibly a novelty to make your bat or two but as for kickstarting a new wave of podshavers downunder it doesn't seem likely to me. Anyway, just my ten penneth. There are far more qualified than me to make comment.

[thecord]

Don't let one other person's opinions & experiences put you off if it really is an ambition of yours

[M77]

I really hope this takes off... it's not easy to do but I know he cares that the skills are passed on.
It's more dependant on those that desire to craft.

But if you do really "want" then this may make some sense.

What if money were no object on Vimeo

[Neon Cricket]

I'm just hoping that the price isn't extortionate, definitely the sort of thing I'd be keen on doing but can imagine its going to be expensive... (before even taking into account travel/accommodation etc).

[Cover_Drive]

Just as well I've kept this beauty!

He sure does make a cracking bat, just wish that I could get a few of the grips he uses, as the one on this one is a little worn out!

Cheeky my friend! :-)

What weight is that? Is the handle, the thicker one?

I shall look in my closet for his grips, do send your address across via PM please.

[dingbatsports]

Be interesting to see how this pans out for JM. Only few issues I can see with it are will he actually tell all he knows? Or just share the basics? If he really wanted to share his knowledge he would have allowed an apprentice to work with him in his last few years of SC, thats my opinion anyway. Im sure I'm not the only one who offered my services free of charge to him haha.

Based in Brissie I was excited to learn about this podshaving academy project. Your mind races and you wonder whetre this could lead you. I really didn't know too much about kick-starter, but it seems a good way of trying to get funding. I really hope it works for him, and I know a few people, myself included, who would go on a week long course to make a bat. That said, I'm not sure how good a bat I could make with just two goes, however. Or indeed if I would be skilled enough to pass on that tradition and contribute to keeping it going. No problem, you say. Buy some clefts and keep refining your skill, you say. Maybe sell a few on the way. Unfortunately I was speaking to another Australian gentleman who was telling me just how difficult it was to get all the tools and kit in this part of the world. He works in cricket and said it had taken him a couple of years to assemble, and was at the point starting production when he hit his biggest snag. That being, after proving he was a genuine cricket business, and not just a willow intermediary, he was put on a waiting list for willow. After 18 months of waiting he got the call to say the willow wasn't coming, something to do with exchange rates and greater demand in India. Anyway that was my new best dream for a different future conceived and trounced on in under 24hrs. So it could be an interesting 'holiday' and possibly a novelty to make your bat or two but as for kickstarting a new wave of podshavers downunder it doesn't seem likely to me. Anyway, just my ten penneth. There are far more qualified than me to make comment.

Not sure who you spoke to, but it is indeed a tough gig down here in Australia. I can assure that

[Nunnsy]

I understand that he'll be releasing more course information soon. As for what he teaches, he's hoping to teach all he knows to continue the art. That is his main mission. To keep the academy funded, he is planning a way so post-course, if you wish to source materials and tools, he can supply.  Nice to know so many are interested though!

[Wickets-then-runs]

So that makes SC bat now a rarer commodity and should possibly raise the value of my Cat  .

maybe I shouldn't have sold that one to you, mate! 

[Beachcricket]

I'm just hoping that the price isn't extortionate, definitely the sort of thing I'd be keen on doing but can imagine its going to be expensive... (before even taking into account travel/accommodation etc).

He's passing on knowledge and skills he's acquired over decades. Whatever the cost, it'll be worth every penny.

[ca_gold]

What knowledge will he be passing?  How to shape an Indian pressed and handled bat? Very over rated pod shaver

[M77]

What knowledge will he be passing?  How to shape an Indian pressed and handled bat? Very over rated pod shaver

It's not very often i pipe up unless im riled... well done son you've done the trick.

Whilst that's your opinion, it only highlights your lack of understanding of what was achieved and made possible.

There are a handful of people that have truly succeeded in not only realising a goal in this business but making a top living from it. JM's done alright in that respect with a mortgage paid off a long time ago and those processes like setting up a factory in india to produce a hell of a product. Having chatted to Gilly this year and hearing the efforts involved i have even more respect.

If you're going to train under someone i'd say there won't be many better than a guy who's gained a reputation through years of consistency and made it pay as a one man army. The guy changed the game.

[Beachcricket]

What knowledge will he be passing?  How to shape an Indian pressed and handled bat? Very over rated pod shaver

In my opinion, this response illustrates how undervalued pod shaving is as a craft. This man should be held in the highest regard by everyone who claims to be remotely interested in bat making. Not because I say so, but simply due to the reality that a vaguely objective look at what he's done over the past few decades and is now trying to achieve would illustrate his value as a craftsman in this industry.

Though despite this I would ask what in your opinion makes Julian Millichamp overrated?