Evening all, thought I would share my forts experience of Red Ink equipment with my fellow forum addicts.
I saw Johns Sale thread and having looked a few times at Johns bats the offer prices were too hard to turn down ( I also was lucky enough to see and pay for this lot before smashing my motor up). I had also seen when Red Ink bats came up in conversation they were also spoken of very highly. Don't see as many of this brand on the forum as some other brands but think this may change in the future.
So I sent John a PM originally and asked for some pics of clefts that would make a decent size bat 2.9 max finished. John sent me a few including this bat which is graded by John as an X2 so grade 2. My originally thought was that's a cracking G2 only saw the cleft in original state so assumed there would be some spec, pin knots etc. but as you can see no blemish or marks in sight. I also decided for the prices to add matching softs and a kit bag.
The Bat - My requests to John were basically a non concaved bat 2.9 with decent edge size as too me it gives me more confidence and a long middle. The rest I left to John. So when arrived the forst thing I opened was the bat box and I was really impressed firstly with how great this bat looks. 10 straight and evenly spaced grains that run clean through the toe of the bat and not a spec or blemish in sight. Second is the pick up, bat has a mid placed profile and pics up superbly with a double hybrid grip and finally is the finish which has been mentioned others is excellent really smooth sanding and finished with an all over bat wax. I'm going to be totally honest and say the finish is better than my £400 B3 crown and in a different league to my CK22 truly excellent finishing. The bat has 34mm edges and an approx 54mm spine height and zero concaving.
Pads - went for the Pyro pads in men's RH and fit perfectly. They are again superb for the money with leather instep, double stitched Velcro fastening and leather tabs at end of the straps, they also fit me perfectly and I'm not the tallest person and knee sits perfectly in the knee locator. Traditional with a slight twist is how I would describe them as the top bat and knee protector is slightly modern in design. Also nice and simple with just little logo on inside of the pads.
Gloves - choose the LE gloves as use pittard palmed gloves and also the red fingers contrast the bat very well. Once again for the price superb. Went for men's RH and again fit is excellent for me. Also these have a triple piece thumb which you don't get on some top brands gloves, reinforced leading finger protection and lovely thick towling with good Velcro fastenings. The bat feels amazing in the hands with these gloves.
Bag - this is the medium size bag and will fit all my match day kit in no problems and I'm a wicket keeper so a very good sized bag. The bag has 2 bag compartments on the outside. The bat just fits in these but is a little snug. Seperate shoe or helmet compartment at the side and 2 decent outside pockets for bat accessories etc. also has two wheels and large carry strap. And once again value is great as there are ruffles that cost more than this bag.
All in all I am most impressed topped off with great service from John, all questions were answered promptly and politely and the kit was packaged very well and delivered next day once bat was completed. Now the best bit about this is value for money. This whole bundle was less than £250 delivered. I haven't yet tapped a ball up as when I got home daughter was asleep so will get mallet out tomorrow which will be final test but I am more impressed with Red Ink than other big mainstream brands. This lot will be a firm favourite for next seasons Sunday cricket.
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Topic: My Red Ink Full Kit (Read 4531 times)