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[Kulli]

While like all the other members here I love drooling over impossibly big bats, and evenly spaced defined grains, actually owning or using doesn't really bother me as I've always ended up finding I preferred uggers that I had bought as net bats on the cheap. I am however super fussy about the size shape and feel of handles (I've done all sorts of weird things to perfectly good bats in order to try and replicate a handle feel), that is the one part of that bat that you come in contact with and alongside dead weight and pickup is all I really look for, and would be quite happy picking a bat blindfolded with just a pair of gloves and mallet for help.

Anyway, I guess there are a few members out there even fussier than me about their grip/handle set up, but I was sorting out a new bat last night and felt it might be interesting to see/hear.

I ended up using a scabby CA 5000 I picked up for a song on eBay as my match bat last year and scored more runs than in my previous 3-4 seasons combined, it's still going strong but I was keen for a new one to run in before she exploded (as CA bats tend to) without notice.

Starting off with an already modified CA handle and a new standard cheapo CA handle.


Using medical tape (handing having a Mrs who's a Nurse) to build up the back of the handle into a slightly more oval shape. I also added another few rounds of binding as I've found this solves the age old CA issue of splitting shoulders.



Another price of old grip over the tape to thicken up the bottom half.



Final step, three bits of cut off old grip to make up foir the lack of any sort of knob (Oh matron, etc) on CA handles.


Matching handles, I noticed the old grip was a bit scabby so changed that too, will use them a few times before trimming the top to avoid ending up with a too short grip after any shrinkage. Major thanks to @FattusCattus for the heads up about where to get these grips again, was down to my last few and couldn't find them anywhere!


Ugly stick mkI and mkII


Both handles are now within a mm of each other on top and bottom hand thickness

Now just need to remove all the sticky junk left over from removing those hideous stickers, and then get her knocked in.

Both bats are 2'9 if anyone wondered.

[Alvaro]

Proper thread.

Thanks.

[trypewriter]

Impressive work, but tbh I do prefer one that's right from the start. It took me quite a while and a number of bats to discover that for me it's all about the handle...

[Kulli]

Impressive work, but tbh I do prefer one that's right from the start. It took me quite a while and a number of bats to discover that for me it's all about the handle...

I've never been able to replicate the feel of extra tape and a half grip with anything else, extra twine and/or an oval handle don't seem to give quite as spongy a feel for me. Just buying a standard think round handle and doing this is all that seems to feel the same. I have a bat that came with an oval handle (first try of one) and ended up filing it down by hand and then adding tape as above, took an age to rebind it!

Proper thread.

Thanks.

Not sure if you mean the topic or my choice of binding

Always the first on the scene when someone is throwing away an old bat to save the twine.

[paul090971]

I have always used 3 strips of any cardboard all at different lengths, and use double sided tape to hold them together & stick to the handle then use the medical tape to hold it all in place, and also do the same with 3 x 1 inch piece of old grip at the top.

Question, I have a GN bat that has a thin handle. yet seems to thick with 2 grips.  Anyone used medical tape all over the binding?  maybe 2 or 3 layers then just the one grip?

[Seniorplayer]

Due to tiny hands Handles have been the bane of my cricketing life to thick wrong shape reluctant batmakers to make me what I want in case the  handle snaps. Now with a little knowledge plenty of practice a rasp file medical tape and a few other bits I shape my own handles to get the feel I want.
Once taped 1/2 wide strip of lead 1/2 inch thick around the top of the bat handle under  the grip the  bat pickup was featherlight

[Seniorplayer]

I have always used 3 strips of any cardboard all at different lengths, and use double sided tape to hold them together & stick to the handle then use the medical tape to hold it all in place, and also do the same with 3 x 1 inch piece of old grip at the top.

Question, I have a GN bat that has a thin handle. yet seems to thick with 2 grips.  Anyone used medical tape all over the binding?  maybe 2 or 3 layers then just the one grip?

Yes just keep taping and trying till you get the desired thickness or you could discard the binding and just use tape it would have to be taped tight though to reduce the risk of  handle flex.

[trypewriter]

I've never been able to replicate the feel of extra tape and a half grip with anything else, extra twine and/or an oval handle don't seem to give quite as spongy a feel for me. Just buying a standard think round handle and doing this is all that seems to feel the same. I have a bat that came with an oval handle (first try of one) and ended up filing it down by hand and then adding tape as above, took an age to rebind it!


Always the first on the scene when someone is throwing away an old bat to save the twine.

I'm not mad keen on the spongy feel which is probably why I like it right at the start.

[well past my peak]

Great thread thanks for sharing, so true the importance of a nice feel in the handle, thick and oval for me

[19reading87]

This really is a great topic!

I'm always playing around with my bat handles and never knowing what's the best or right amount of grips to put on. I thought it was just me who was OTT - seems I am not alone

[Kulli]

This really is a great topic!

I'm always playing around with my bat handles and never knowing what's the best or right amount of grips to put on. I thought it was just me who was OTT - seems I am not alone

The handle is far more important to me than the blade, I've scored runs with bats with 25 perfect grains and no blemishes and with grade 3/4 dogs, but I've never done well with a handle that wasn't just right.

[Seniorplayer]

The handle is far more important to me than the blade, I've scored runs with bats with 25 perfect grains and no blemishes and with grade 3/4 dogs, but I've never done well with a handle that wasn't just right.

No neither have i the handle has to feel right or   the bats no good for me to use.
Had some right headaches over handles.
Also found it difficult to get a  batmaker to make an handle as thin as i would like for the bottom hand  due to the risk of the handle snapping.

[Jlscarroll17]

While like all the other members here I love drooling over impossibly big bats, and evenly spaced defined grains, actually owning or using doesn't really bother me as I've always ended up finding I preferred uggers that I had bought as net bats on the cheap. I am however super fussy about the size shape and feel of handles (I've done all sorts of weird things to perfectly good bats in order to try and replicate a handle feel), that is the one part of that bat that you come in contact with and alongside dead weight and pickup is all I really look for, and would be quite happy picking a bat blindfolded with just a pair of gloves and mallet for help.

Anyway, I guess there are a few members out there even fussier than me about their grip/handle set up, but I was sorting out a new bat last night and felt it might be interesting to see/hear.

I ended up using a scabby CA 5000 I picked up for a song on eBay as my match bat last year and scored more runs than in my previous 3-4 seasons combined, it's still going strong but I was keen for a new one to run in before she exploded (as CA bats tend to) without notice.

Starting off with an already modified CA handle and a new standard cheapo CA handle.


Using medical tape (handing having a Mrs who's a Nurse) to build up the back of the handle into a slightly more oval shape. I also added another few rounds of binding as I've found this solves the age old CA issue of splitting shoulders.



Another price of old grip over the tape to thicken up the bottom half.



Final step, three bits of cut off old grip to make up foir the lack of any sort of knob (Oh matron, etc) on CA handles.


Matching handles, I noticed the old grip was a bit scabby so changed that too, will use them a few times before trimming the top to avoid ending up with a too short grip after any shrinkage. Major thanks to @FattusCattus for the heads up about where to get these grips again, was down to my last few and couldn't find them anywhere!


Ugly stick mkI and mkII


Both handles are now within a mm of each other on top and bottom hand thickness

Now just need to remove all the sticky junk left over from removing those hideous stickers, and then get her knocked in.

Both bats are 2'9 if anyone wondered.

@Kulli How many lengths of medical tape did you use and what length as this looks like the perfect shape handle I'm after, I once received a bat from Ian Blackwell because he was the club pro and ever since I've never been able to replicate the oval shaped handle even after purchasing a bat from the bat maker he used, where do you get them grips as I think that has a huge impact on the feel in the hands as well?

[Kulli]

I used maybe 3-4 stips of medical tape, not much at all, just enough to make it oval tbh. Can take more pictures if it helps.

Grips Fattus found me at https://www.surridgesport.com/grips-combi-2 for a bargain price too.

[Jlscarroll17]

I used maybe 3-4 stips of medical tape, not much at all, just enough to make it oval tbh. Can take more pictures if it helps.

Grips Fattus found me at https://www.surridgesport.com/grips-combi-2 for a bargain price too.

Was it 3/4 either side or just on the back of the handle? Pictures may help if it's not to much of a faff on thanks @Kulli