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[Boondougal]

Yep you got it.... It reads.. A tall box has just arrived!

And today that's exactly the text I got. Working away in London all week, well, what else can make a man happier than arriving home to a new piece of willow.

So it's here... My custom red ink Sirius.

I asked for X3 grade, Ssh dimensions so it has about a quarter inch off the blade and 3/4 off the handle and between 2'8 and 2'9. No concaving

Ok first impressions. Absolutely love the shape. The handle is perfect thickness. Finished to a very high standard and boy o boy what a pick up. I did not believe this bat was the weight I asked for but of course it's bang on.



John has been a pleasure to deal with and kept me well informed along the way.

I originally contacted him re some youth size gloves he had on sale as I wanted to try them out for size, anyway after checking out the red ink creations I decided to go all in and get a matching bat! That's the law.



Ok, it's not pretty willow but it has character and that's what I asked for (and paid for). It will also look more interesting once oiled up.

Not too many grains but there fairly straight through the toe and I'm confident john will have pressed it right to get the best out of it.

Here's a few pics











And here is my line up. The blank bat is one I picked up off Matt at H4L when he had a clear out in a thread on here. It's Ssh too. It's a lovely bat and pings well but although it only weighs about half an ounce more I have to say it doesn't pick up as well as the red ink. It also has a very thin handle but nothing another grip won't sort out.







The gloves are a good fit and very comfy. They were a bargain price and I would not hesitate to recommend them. I have a pair I bought from fusion that if I'm being really honest feel like they are a more substantial glove but then again I paid a far higher price for them so all in all I'm very pleased. I will have no hesitation in wearing them and would be totally confident in the level of protection.

I really am impressed with Johns bat making. No chance to get the mallet on it as it was 9 when I got it and with 2 littles ones it's not worth the risk but as soon as I can I'll be giving it a little knock up. I'm sure I won't be disappointed.

The fusion is a great bat but too heavy for me at the moment. I love the kippax, grains, grains, grains but there is no doubt I'm really a ssh size so I'm pretty certain the red ink will be my match bat this year.

That's of course if I actually play... But since when should availability get in the way of getting good gear!

Thanks John. It really is great to have something in my possession made specifically for me by someone who clearly knows what their doing.

[SOULMAN1012]

Looks a lovely shape mate very similar to the bat john made me but mine was SH, I agree about the pick up as well mine is 2.9 and although this isn't a heavy weight at all pick up feels like a Jnr bat they really do feel super light in the hands.

[Blenheim Cricket]

That looks a very decent bat to me. Have always liked the look of a Red Ink bat.

[Red Ink Cricket]

thanks for the feedback guys.

glad it arrived ok. enjoy knocking it in.

[Boondougal]

Cheers John. I don't recall seeing any red ink over my way last season so I'm sure it will create some interest!

[RF]

How's the Red Ink playing so far mate?

[Boondougal]

Not had a chance to use it yet mate, just been knocking it in. It was a little hard to begin with but after an oil and some knocking in its starting to really begin to ping.

[RF]

OK mate, you need to get some nets in

[Boondougal]

That's true

[abdulwq]

how much you paid?

[Boondougal]

Johns pricing is pretty transparent. His price list is in the red ink forum.