After buying bats blind or off the shelf for many years, I decided it was time to visit a local bat making set-up to have a look around. I've visited Nick Nixons workshop in Malton before and used a couple of his bats, very good they are as well, but decided this time I'd head to Kippax in Methley, near Leeds.
I emailed Chris, who was very helpful, and arranged a date when he had plenty of bats in stock to choose from. He told me that they were struggling to keep up with demand during the season, and all bats were been snapped up as quickly as they could make them!
The main aim of my trip was to have a look around the workshop, select a couple of bats for myself and also get a few bats for team mates who had given me specific weights/specifications to look out for.
Anyway, I wasn't at all disappointed and Chris went above and beyond to do everything he could for me. I was there for 1-2 hours and could have quite happily stayed there all day. What Chris doesn't know about cricket, cricket bats and willow probably isn't worth knowing.
On arrival there was about 20-25 bats layed out for me, a mixture of weights, Colossus and PureBlade and all with the new 2016 stickers/decals on. A cricket lovers paradise! I was allowed to pick these bats at will, check the weight, pick-up, looks and then tap-up with a mallet and also a ball. The rebound was outstanding due to the pressing of the bats. Chris advised me that the bats from Kippax are pretty much good-to-go due to the pressing and just recommended a couple of good net sessions, one with throw downs to consistently find the middle of the bat, then a second proper session to go for your shots properly. He also recommended selection on pick-up and rebound rather than on looks.
As others have already mentioned, Kippax mainly deal in Willow clefts, and supplying them to companies/bat makers around the world. The warehouse was full of clefts ready to be shipped and turned into bats.
My visit was excellent and is highly recommended to anyone. I came away from it with an insight into the full batmaking process as I was walked and talked through it by Chris. Not to mention the beautiful bats I came away with which have made me and my teammates very happy indeed.
Look out for a review of my Colossus in the very near future and possibly a couple of Kippax' on the 'For Sale' section very soon.
Andy.
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Topic: Visit to Kippax in August (Read 10309 times)