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[Gingerbusiness]

If you always remove the scuff sheets before preparation and knocking in, why did you order them from John with scuff sheets on Ginger?

Quite simply, I didn't.

[Andythomo21]

You mean you didn't order them with scuff sheets on, that's just how they were sent? Just on your photos the bat you havnt knocked in has a scuff sheet on.

[Gingerbusiness]

I didn't ask for them to be put on - they were sent that way. I removed them for the knocking process.

[sarg]

After persistence with my puny mallets I took the plunge and purchased a LV Mallet from Les at Elviar's Shed via ebay and it is awesome! Les was very easy to deal with and the transaction went very smoothly.

 Its a Hercules model and is 825 grams. The mallet head itself is flatter on one side which is great for finishing.

 I was surprised at how much extra knocking a few recent purchases needed.
Went for a long handle and it makes a good counterbalance when holding it higher making delicate edge rounding easy or toe area work easy.

Can't recommend getting your bat knocked in with a LV enough if you want a really strong. Anyone need this done in Adelaide Aus, let me know.

[Wickets-then-runs]

How much did that cost you, Sarg? With the amount of bats I go through, this may be a wise investment...

[Stuey]

@ Gingerbusiness reading your initial post makes me wonder how many clubbies are throwing/giving away or just retiring bats that look well used to the naked eye but are infact in their prime. I know this used to be me, foolishly thinking a nice white blade was the way forward. I have a trusty Fusion in my bag 5 grains, 5 or 6 seasons old, my team mates can't believe i still use it, but at only 2Ib7 (reduced) it goes like the clappers, a bit of sanding and oiling at the beginning and end of seasons sees it ready for the next. I'm just getting to work on my new Red Ink, following your process.

[sarg]

How much did that cost you, Sarg? With the amount of bats I go through, this may be a wise investment...

$A130.
He does also does heavy Oak mallets for half that, but you can just tell the San Paolo LV is much harder and a full swing is unnecessary. You just let the weight of the mallet head do the work.
I was half concerned it wasn't worth it, but not since I retapped all my recent purchases.

[Gingerbusiness]

@ Gingerbusiness reading your initial post makes me wonder how many clubbies are throwing/giving away or just retiring bats that look well used to the naked eye but are infact in their prime. I know this used to be me, foolishly thinking a nice white blade was the way forward. I have a trusty Fusion in my bag 5 grains, 5 or 6 seasons old, my team mates can't believe i still use it, but at only 2Ib7 (reduced) it goes like the clappers, a bit of sanding and oiling at the beginning and end of seasons sees it ready for the next. I'm just getting to work on my new Red Ink, following your process.

I am telling you, knocking in thoroughly is the way to go.

I recently just sold my Red Ink. It brought tears to my eyes when I did however because John had softly pressed it, it gave me the opportunity to give it a proper knock.

By the time I had finished, it was very pingy and ready to go.

Knocking in properly is the way to go for performance and longevity!

[nottinghamtiger]

I recently just sold my Red Ink. It brought tears to my eyes when I did however because John had softly pressed it, it gave me the opportunity to give it a proper knock.

By the time I had finished, it was very pingy and ready to go.

It's gone to a good new home with someone who will appreciate it though, and appreciate not having to knock it in themselves!

[i12breakfree]

Its time for CBF custom bat mallets - butterfly ones being the heavier one and will last long 

[noelfitz99]

Is oil a necessity ?

[WalkingWicket37]

Is oil a necessity ?

Some say no, some say yes.

The argument for is that it seals the moisture in and increases the longevity of the bat, while others say that it adds weight and deadens the performance.

Personally I always oil by new bats (my most recent purchase having one good coat all over, a light coat on the face, a scuff sheet applied then two very light coats on the exposed willow)
It may soften the timber slightly, but if you're knocking the bat in anyway this won't cause any issues (you'll just need to give the bat a bit more mallet loving)

[noelfitz99]

Some say no, some say yes.

The argument for is that it seals the moisture in and increases the longevity of the bat, while others say that it adds weight and deadens the performance.

Personally I always oil by new bats (my most recent purchase having one good coat all over, a light coat on the face, a scuff sheet applied then two very light coats on the exposed willow)
It may soften the timber slightly, but if you're knocking the bat in anyway this won't cause any issues (you'll just need to give the bat a bit more mallet loving)

I've knocked my bat in for 2 hours. I want to play with it tomorrow , do you think that's alright even though 3-4 hours was recommended

[WalkingWicket37]

How hard were you knocking it in mate? If you started gently I'd personally suggest spending a bit longer than you have to ensure it's ready to play. If you started firmly and have got it to a stage where you can't easily indent it with the mallet any more then it should be okay to use.

I managed to get a GN Powerbow "playable" for a team mate with 2 hours knocking in last season. It was safe for use against a hard ball (not brand new but he bats in the middle order) but if it had been mine (and I wasn't given it on Friday night and told "get this ready for tomorrow") I'd have preferred to spend maybe another hour or so on it, just because you can't over prepare a bat but you can under prepare one.

[TOGS]

A wee bit off topic maybe but on the subject of toes...
Does anyone agree that a layer of glue on the toe is as good as applying a toe?
If not better..??