Flippin' heck, there's been quite some discussion on this topic! Still pretty much on topic, as the grading seems to be the biggest issue about this bat.
Here are examples of G1 bats, the first set are all top of the range, and by that, I mean the best grade offering:
The bronze Helios stickered one is a Bulldog, and the red one is a genuine Helios. Both from the same maker. The Mongoose is a B&S.
Oh, and almost forget this little gem:
Next up are also G1, but slightly lower:
The L&C is apparently a Millichamp and Hall. (Looks like the Amplus shape) Wouldn't be surprised if it was from their Storm Damage bin, however it may very well have been a top grade one. (Not quite clear, but it had a split and has been repaired, and repaired very well by an ex-forum member called Cameronpye94... He just sort of up and disappeared one day though...
)
The B3 was a blank BAS.
My personal opinion on all these is that they all look pretty decent. If anything, the Lavers should be up there with the top end, they certainly look like they should be, and also because the Signature is so exclusive. I will say that if the Chase was a G1+, then my Laver is a G0+. The Bulldog is also a little ropey looking for what is a top grade. But essentially, they're all G1.
If Lords did hand pick their Chase bats, they would have picked this on pick up and balance. It really does feel beautiful in the hands. Oh, and with regards to Chase just stickering up premades with whatever grade will make them the most money, this FLC shape is exclusive to this one grade, from what I know, so this wouldn't have been the case with this particular one.
My view on handpicking? It does help if you're buying blind, to have someone help pick out something that you'll most likely be able to get along with, and will likely be pleased with. Thing you have to be aware of is that pick up and feel is based on senses that you can't communicate 100% effectively. You can say that you want a 10 grained bat, that's fine, just a matter of counting, as both you and the retailer
should see the same number.
Back to the bats, out of these, which ones were handpicked? (For sure) The Mongoose stickered B&S, the B3 BAS, the SF Triumph and SS LEs.
Out of these, which ones did I pick up and have a swing with before purchasing? The SS LE and the Woodworm Torch. (Woodworm I picked because Pietersen used it)
Which have I scored my top 3 scores with? The SS LE (84 & 65) and the L&W Reserve (54ish). To be fair, I have 'only' used 6 of these in matches, but I scored the 65 with the SS in the very first use.
From experience, and concluding from the results, the best way to have your bat hand picked is to go and pick it out of a selection yourself. The SS I got wasn't picked out of a selection, but it just felt right, was lighter than what I was using, but was just right. Not to say that retailers hand picking doesn't have its benefits. If you cannot go to a store physically, then what hand picking does allow for is reassurance that you're not getting a plank, and, in most cases, if you specify what you want picked, you'll get a bat in the weight you desire.
Oh, also, in order for a bat to work best for you, you kind of have to use it a fair amount, look after it and not buy a bat everytime a sale/discount comes along. All great if you get a bat picked out which performs well and picks up well, but essentially, you're going to have to do the opposite of what I do... I know, what a hypocrite...
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Topic: Chase FLC from the Lord's Sale (Read 13876 times)