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[WalkingWicket37]

Hi All

Lunch break at work, so thought I'd share an idea I was discussing with another forum member the other day. It would be interesting to get the view of someone who actually makes bats.

As far as alternatives to twine, we all know that Zinc oxide tape is often used, and I think I saw somewhere that fibreglass tape is also used by a highly thought of bat maker.

One idea I has was to use that Kinesio tape, instead of zinc oxide tape round the handle. As it is fairly stretchy, so you could pull it as tight as it goes and wrap the handle with this, which may reduce the weight compared to twine or zinc oxide tape while providing the same support. 

The tape that myself and the other forumite discussed was Grip Grip/self amalgamating tape. Could this be used instead of twine, on the whole handle? I imagine this would result in a whippier handle, but it would probably reduce the weight compared to twine, and would also prevent grip movement as an added bonus. Is this something to be considered/tried?

I look forward to hearing opinions on these ideas, they may be a load of rubbish, but you never know, I may be on to something (stranger things have happened!)

[GarrettJ]

I batted with a part made that had zinc oxide wrapped around the handle and no grip ..... was fine, bit slippy but worked ok so should be no problem with a grip over the top

[tushar sehgal]

Sports/Medical/hockey tape (fabric based) wrapped around the handle really tight like you would grip a tennis or a badminton racket, start from top all way down and back all the way up...once done...apply glue to the entire handle/tape combo..as the glue dries it gets even stiffer...works for me...do it on almost all bats..

[moonball]

Perhaps not an alternative for twine, but in the past I have used racquet grips to act as both an absorber, if you will, and to thicken thin handles. These work very well for that purpose, especially to thicken the handle for the bottom hand only, but aren't really a twine substitute.

[Seniorplayer]

To get a thinner handle Tend to use bat fibreglass I inch wide repair tape instead of twine tried  DIY gaffer tape pulled tight but it wasnt strong enough

[SteffanLangholz]

Kinesiotape would not work. Take it from a professional. Kinesiotape only remains strong within 25-50% stretch, and the stretch is not strong enough to compress the bamboo. If I were you, and you really want to use medical tape, then use Leuko tape.

[Northern monkey]

Very old topic, but I'm just finishing up some part mades ,(finally finished the bat press!yay)and I'm wanting an alternative to stringing the handle.

What's the best tape to use these days,(anything new) and how does it compare to a conventional method ?

Cheers for any help chaps

[WalkingWicket37]

I think @Seniorplayer is the man to ask.
I believe he replaces the twine on all his bats with tape (or did I make that up?)

[Northern monkey]

I've never used one with tape, so it will be interesting to try both ways with the same bat, if I can be bothered
Hopefully the tape is ok and I can use that

[tom line]

Unless you're really not keen on twine, I'd try and use it mate. You can get rolls off eBay that will work and it's not all that time consuming to do just fiddly.
If you're set on tape tho, I'd use plaster tape, wrap it tight and probably best for two layers as it's quite thin, then a layer of PVA over the top

[Northern monkey]

Cheers Tom
I've got a couple of chucks from a wood lathe so I might just set them up and use em for twine
Am I looking for any particular string?
I do prefer the white stuff lookswise compared to the brown stuff

[tom line]

I'll drop you a text with a few options for it mate

[Seniorplayer]

Tend to use thin  medical tape instead of twine as its nice and thin and easy to work with also think tape gives your hands a better feel on the bat handle the downside is when you get a Yorker on the toe of the bat it can vibrate through the handle.

[it's_a_pudding]

Was wondering if there was anyway someone could post an image of the medical tape on the handle please?
 Wanting to try it out on one of my net bats to see how it feels. Want to make sure I get it right.

[Biggie Smalls]

Was wondering if there was anyway someone could post an image of the medical tape on the handle please?
 Wanting to try it out on one of my net bats to see how it feels. Want to make sure I get it right.

Just look at some old @procricket posts !