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[keysersolze]

Well guys and galls i challenge you to de bunk Jullian Millichamps views as shown in the first video video   on this page link http://www.screamingcat.com.au/media.html . Or is he wrong!? As most people regard him to be the bes bat maker in the world !!! Is Millichamp Mad ? Or is it a very late Aprils fool joke!? As he seems to go against common opinion of lots of pencil straight grains in a bat!! Lets  have your opinions!!!

[SillyShilly]

In my opinion, i think the drying of the willow and then the pressing of the willow is far more important than the number of grains. Also a good handle plays an important role in the playability of the bat. So, the number of grains should not be the only defining feature of a bats quality.

[petehosk]

As I understand it, the fewer grains there are, the longer the bat takes to reach its ultimum 'playability'?
In which case one with fewer grains would take longer to play in, but I also understand that the fewer grained bats tend to last longer?
And JM in one of the videos didd mention the playability AND durability I believe? So maybe alot of the 'more grains = better playability' mentality points to the fact that more grains means that the bat will play better straight away. But fewer grains will mean a bat generally plays bettter eventually?
I dont know! All I do know is that the Lavers I have tend to be 7-9 grains, and didnt play that well to start, but now they are starting to go like rockets!
And spot on about the quality of the handle SS.

[GJ]

Thats the way i think about it. The fewer the grains, the longer it takes to play in. But the bat will generally last longer than that of a narrow grained bat.
And regarding the handles used, Julian looks like he uses better quality handles than most manufacturers...?

[SillyShilly]

Just to throw in a curve ball to that theory - in the m&h shop is a bat that is framed, it was used by Justin Langer for two seasons at Somerset and has about 14-15 straight sapwood grains and the bat is hardly cracked - considering the amount of use it had you would expect a bat like that to barely last a season, let alone survivng two and looking in very good condition. An exception to the rule?

[GJ]

Christ, you really have thrown a spanner in the works!
Where's Norb when you need him 

[hit4six]

I have never been one to have 15+ ruler straight grains on my bats. I think the most I have ever used is 8 grains.

 I do have a fusion superbest here, 14 sapwood grains, and when I compare this to a G2 BAS blank I have, with 6 six grains, the ping is not much difference.

If I had the choice, I would personally go for the BAS. It would last longer, pings about the same and those bats are usually cheaper. Just my view.

[Jamieh]

I'm very similar and have always had a maximum of 9 grains, and have never had problems (played minor counties, and a grade in Aus). My personal opinion is beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and you will get some bats that go against the grain (excuse the pun) and perform well from the outset and have only a few grains, and vice versa.

I think the pressing, handling, and feel of the bat are more important that the grains, just my opinion though. I also think it's a lot to do with technique and mental approach, and what works for one, may not work for another.

I think JM is saying that the best allrounder would be a bat with "average" amounts of grains, whereas if you have a bat with more or less grains you just run the risk of getting a stinker or a belter!

For me it boils down to with a bespoke or hand made bat you know is made for your requirements, is more likely to fulfill your needs than if you take a chance by going for something that just "looks" good. However I'm not sure if there has been any scientific evidence to show that the grains actually affect the "ping" off the blade? I guess if there was evidence that a higher number of grains makes the ball rebound better then that would settle it? My feeling is, grains are more about aesthetics, i.e. looking good

[SAF Bats]

Julian grades on performance maybe he finds that up to 8 - 11 grains [I think he has said before] is generally what comes out the best

There is no reason to doubt, debunk him, he is one of the best

[keysersolze]

Thanks for that guys, its always good to here all the different views etc!! And the handle thing eh!! So here is another one!!! Who makes the handles and what makes the best handles 9 or 12 piece canes!? And i have seen a few of Julian Millichamp, James Laver, and Robert Packs custom made bats and they were all about 8 grains so maybe there is something to it!! And is it true they all learnt their craft from John Newbery?

[hell4leather cricket]

most handles are imported from either india or pakistan. 9 piece handles seem to play the best  for me....

[19reading87]

most handles are imported from either india or pakistan. 9 piece handles seem to play the best  for me....

Whats your theory on the grains mate??

[SAF Bats]

Where's Norb when you need him 

I didn't miss this earlier but I'm going to retire from answering those types of questions and leave it to some of the other bat makers on here

[my new, new years resolution!]