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[chrisbd]

Just want to echo Paul's sentiments entirely. It is rare that we see a brand so complete as Phantom, especially in the early stages. The willow is stunning yes, (light weight, not a blemish in sight, and incredibly responsive), but what impressed me most was how brilliantly branded the range was. There really is a cohesive theme throughout their range, and that's what perhaps impressed myself and Paul the most. The decals are embossed, they take incredible attention with the individual colours of the chrome flashes on the back splice of each bat, and most of all Aftab is an incredibly passionate guy who it's a pleasure to be in business with. As you will see with our video reviews today, these have certainly shot up the ranks to quickly become one of our favourite brands in the shop.

As for the Affinity comparisons, I can see why people think that - but Aftab has worked hard to create a brand in his own right, and so we will avoid making these comparisons, and watch Phantom carve out its own section in the market, not needing to be compared to anyone else.

Chris

[GarrettJ]

anytime i see grade 1++ i know they are taking the p1ss

i mean come on, its grade 2 and grade 1

[golders]

anytime i see grade 1++ i know they are taking the p1ss

i mean come on, its grade 2 and grade 1

Agreed, especially when their grading system guarantees 'super straight grains' and blemish free face  for only the grade 1++  ?!!

[chrisbd]

Agreed, especially when their grading system guarantees 'super straight grains' and blemish free face  for only the grade 1++  ?!!

Having seen the batch they brought down to show us, I can safely say that they aren't kidding about the super straight and blemish free part!

[WalkingWicket37]

Having seen the batch they brought down to show us, I can safely say that they aren't kidding about the super straight and blemish free part!

Grade 1 in old money then? 

[GarrettJ]

Its salesmans rubbish trying to make it look exclusive and justify the price

here is a batch i got made ..... grade 1++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[uknsaunders]

Its salesmans rubbish trying to make it look exclusive and justify the price

here is a batch i got made ..... grade 1++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Rubbish, that's Super Grade, Pro, Players, secret stash, super light, low density Mega 1 - A++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[uknsaunders]

Hi guys phantom bats caught my eye the other week just seeing if anyone knows much about them they are from crawly and bats are said to be made in Sussex so was tempted to give one a try any more imfomation would be great

Played cricket in Crawley for 3 years, I can ask around. Do you know whereabouts?

[GarrettJ]

i think Ryan Kellsall has some very very nice looking bats but doesnt seem to get much mention, i suppose its all down to marketing.

[uknsaunders]

i think Ryan Kellsall has some very very nice looking bats but doesnt seem to get much mention, i suppose its all down to marketing.

#bestkeptsecretontheforum

[Neon Cricket]

I can't see what all the fuss is about here, am I missing something? Softs aren't any different from everyone else and the designs (and name) have quite blatantly 'taken inspiration' from quite a well known brand on here.  IJC mention the bats being blemish free - I can make out blemishes on all of these? https://twitter.com/ItsJustCricket/status/591337082045476866.

Not trying to cause any arguments here but it all seems a little OTT when there doesn't seem to be any real difference to any other brand - personally I think the Python/Sovereign bats that @GarrettJ has had have been far more impressive.

[GarrettJ]

they are nice bats very good looking but nothing that other brands cant do at similar if not lower prices so not sure what the IJC excitement is but they are in the sales business so thats them just doing their job.

ps: i no longer have any involvement in any cricket brands so please dont see my posts as having an ulterior motive.

[chrisbd]

I can't see what all the fuss is about here, am I missing something? Softs aren't any different from everyone else and the designs (and name) have quite blatantly 'taken inspiration' from quite a well known brand on here.  IJC mention the bats being blemish free - I can make out blemishes on all of these? https://twitter.com/ItsJustCricket/status/591337082045476866.

Not trying to cause any arguments here but it all seems a little OTT when there doesn't seem to be any real difference to any other brand - personally I think the Python/Sovereign bats that @GarrettJ has had have been far more impressive.

I guess the reason we seem excited is because we have seen the brand, tapped up their whole range, played around with bouncing balls on them, felt the pick ups etc, so we are possibly best qualified to comment on them. Our YouTube channel is designed to be impartial, we criticise a number of brands and products, and sometimes even get in a little bit of trouble with the companies for criticising them, but when we say that they are very good bats, we do this from an incredibly good knowledge base, and from having actually felt the bats themselves.

The difference from other brands is the quality of the equipment. They are guns, all of them, and also the coherence across the range, and committed branding makes them stand out. The embossed decals and attention to detail - there's a story behind every name for example, not just a randomly nondescript word, just puts them above and beyond a lot of brands which are out there.

That's just my opinion having seen them and compared them to a lot of brands - both big and small.

Chris

[GarrettJ]

Did you fully knock all bats in before commenting on ping and performance and have a few nets in full kit for 2 hours before commenting on pick up??

[WalkingWicket37]

@chrisbd have you ever considered a job trying to sell things, mate?