http://thebaggygreen.blogspot.com.au/2013/05/fielke-cricket-bats-south-australian.htmlBob’s workshop is situated in his back yard and is approximately 5 by 9 metres. He gave a step by step guide as to how he produces Fielke bats. I will try and give as best a breakdown as possible.
1 - First a block of English Willow is received at his workshop. Wax is found on each end to preserve the willow so it doesn’t dry up (a serious problem in Adelaide Hills Willow).
2 - Then, he saws this chunk of English Willow into a size that will accommodate the approximately correct measurements deemed legal for a bat. This of course will eventually become the body of the bat.
3 - Next is to press the face of the bat, which will help make the outer surface of the wood a bit denser, stronger, while not losing too much “spring”.
4 - Then the back of the bat is shaped to give it that “splice” look, using a draw knife before the wood chunk then undergoes its next step of transformation which is the shaping of the bat shoulders and splice down the middle, where the handle will fit. This is done using a customised jig.
5 - The Bat handle (imported from a New Zealand founded company in Indonesia) is then cut and shaped with the rubber springs already in place as these are found naturally in the wood (see images below).
6 - With the bat having a recognisable appearance now, glue is placed in the splice and the handle is hammered into place with a steel hammer. The bat is then placed in a vice for 24 hours.
7 - Once this is set, the bat gets trimmed of all excess wood and is given a smoothened finish with the additional use of the draw knife and sand paper. The bat is also weighed and the balance is tested by Bob with a simple back lift until the feel is just right!
8 - With the physical bat now in shape, string is tightly wrapped around the handle to ensure both the handle and springs stay in place. Glue is used in conjunction to keep it secure.
9 - Lastly, the bat is left so the glue can dry and then it’s simply a case of placing the Fielke stickers onto the bat and giving it a fine coating of raw linseed oil if needed.
With all of this done by Bob alone, it was admirable to see how he manages the entire process and how patient he must have been over all these years to keep the company going on such a small, personal scale.
Word-of-mouth has always been the company’s main form of advertising and marketing was done by closely networking and engaging with all the local clubs in and around Adelaide.
Interestingly the brand was given accelerated recognition during the public memorial service for Sir Donald Bradman, as when The Don’s hearse drove past a particular point; a sole bat was held up in salutation. This bat was in fact a Fielke bat and the branding was clearly seen and broadcast across all major television stations.
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Topic: Aussie Willow? (Read 9032 times)