Having sold a couple of bats, and with a business trip to the north in my diary this week, I decided it would be an ideal opportunity for my first visit to B3.
So up at 5.30am on Wednesday morning, and arrived at Nottingham around 8.30 which gave me just over an hour before I had to be back on the road. Streaky was having a lie in, so I was left in the capable hands of Gav (who does all the post CNC shaping and finishing). Gav gave me a great tour, talking me through the phases of the manufacturing process, answering my dumb questions, and ending in the shop.
I had hoped to be able to try some of the larger shapes (Pepsi, Zizzi and Warner) but they have been so popular there were none in stock. After picking up and tapping a few premade bats including the new DB1 (which felt pretty good) I found a very nice 3 stripe TKC hidden behind a couple of other sticks. A little heavier than my usual weight but had a decent pick up and the ball came off it really well. In fact when Gav tried it out he was a little reluctant to give it back to me and even said he didn't realise that one was in the racks - he probably says that to all the customers ;-)
So after mulling over (no pun intended) whether to walk out with the TKC, or chose a cleft and have a different shape made up I decided 'a bird in the hand, etc'. Gav gave it a spruce up (the finishing quality is top notch) before putting on the White LE stickers and turquoise grip I had chosen. I also grabbed a couple of bat bags so this and my other B3 will be kept safe.
Photos and specs below
• 8 even grains which run straight through the toe
• Weighs 2lb 12 (and a half)
• Max edge of 37mm
• Spine - 60mm with a little concaving
• Toe 25mm
• I don't know the density - have asked the Doc - but would guess it is around 400.
• Oval Handle, nice and thick so no need for a second grip
• Long middle, and the small blemishes just under the stickers help the rebound higher up.
It may not be the prettiest G1 but I have seen plenty of uglier ones and the first indications on performance are very promising (the bat that is, not the user).