Perhaps it's worth starting off by explaining why the "Custom" label has come about. It's no secret I don't make my own bats because I am very open about this. It doesn't take a genius to work out who does (but by all means give yourselves a pat on the back).
As a small set up, 99% of the bats offered are in regular short handle (it's the most common ask) – however EVERY single bat ever sold under the Phantom brand has been made to order to my exact shapes, weights, etc – not a single bat has been picked from pre-mades. This means I can (and do) make tweaks or complete changes to the shapes.
I often get requests for bats that are longer blades or handles, with higher/ lower middles – changes to existing shapes or a copy of a much loved old faithful. All of these are accommodated but it's never really been marketed, until now.
So under the Custom option, the customer gets to choose from something straightforward as the size of handle right across to sending in a bat for an exact copy and therefore their bat will be 'made to order' (too long to fit on a label as a name), 'modified from an existing shape' (doesn't sounds right that) or custom-made – ah! that’s the one! It sums up exactly what the bat is about. The other name considered was bespoke but that’s more suited to garments and tailoring - also is somewhat misleading.
What's unique (or not commonly done) about the Phantom service is that two bats can be bought together to the same specs – first in a higher grade for matches and the second a lower grade which is much cheaper for practice.
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. It seems everyone thinks they know the inside leg measurement of the said bat maker – but as someone who spends a fair amount of time with him on a regular basis, I can confirm much of the loose talk about him on this forum has no basis.
So is this a custom service – damn right it is! Why don't others who use the same bat maker offer it? I couldn't tell you – perhaps in their wisdom they just don't want the hassle.
Re: Softs, it seems my previous post has fallen on deaf ears. These are not H4L designs – end of!
I have never forced anyone to buy a Phantom bat however anyone who has felt particularly obliged to buy one for threat to their sheer existence, I am happy for you to return the bat for a full refund.
That includes you Simon – for when you met me and bought three bats, with the same current branding and labels you were fine with it. To this end you recently said to me on email that the Shadow Players you have is a gun. If it's just the labels you are unhappy about you're welcome to remove them from the bat – and return the set you bought only as recently as a couple of weeks ago.
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Topic: 2016 Phantom Softs (Read 43909 times)