A little update about the bat now I've had a few net sessions with her
So I gave the bat two light coats of oil on the face and edges prior to a little bit of knocking in. A did see some tiny indentations while whacking it but nothing compared to other bats I've prepared in the past. Like usual I tried to concentrate on all the edges and toe but still hitting the main playing area. I did contemplate not putting a scuff sheet on the face and leaving bare but decided to put one on which I got from Vitas Jake, as well as the scuff sheet another white chevron grip was added and she was now ready to play.
After hearing a few horror stories about bats cracking from indoor nets I was a little hesitant in using the bat but I wanted to get used to the weight and feel before the start of the season so I took the risk.
First off the pick-up on this bat is amazing, combined with it simply being a lighter bat than I usually use I found I was using less bottom hand and overall not having to think about holding the bat and feeling its weight but rather just concentrating on the ball and watching it onto the bat. The bat itself pings very nicely however I wasn't worried about its performance as bouncing a ball on it prior to nets showed me it was a "good'un"
I can't however say the bat has come away unscathed after been used indoors for a while and sadly it no longer has a toe guard on the bottom after catching a yorker right at the bottom which forced half of the toe guard to come off. I thought about glueing it back down but in the end decided to rip the rest off, clean and sand to remove any glue residue and apply shoe goo.
Overall so far I'm mightily impressed with the bat and so so glad I travelled down to the factory to choose a cleft and pick a shape using the pre-mades that are already in the showroom. Having a bat that feels good in the hands and enables you to play better out-weighs simply picking or buying a bat purely on looks and shape like these new outrageous AUS GN bats we're seeing. I can't wait for the season to start and put the bat to good use and finally every time I pick up the bat I can't believe I only paid 130!! for it.
I'll provide more updates as the season progresses