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[rockymoghal]

Okay so I've finally made my decision and decided to get myself a B3 custom bat. Never owned a custom bat before so this will be interesting. I've booked an appointment with B3 in late May. Just wanted to ask people here on their absolute No.1 bat shape. Need some ideas as I've never really thought about bat shapes and design. Just picked a bat up on feel and bought it. I'm hoping you guys can help inspire my perfect bat.

[parthnayak]

1271 - trott profile .

[rockymoghal]

Interesting, I've read a few things about the trott profile and how it is an 'absolute gun'. Do you have any pictures by any chance?

[Six Sixes Cricket]

Probably best to look at your old/used bat and see where you hit the ball. Best to get something that suits your game.

[rockymoghal]

Oh okay so I basically need a bat with no middle and 50mm edges Not been the best batsmen. Tore my ligament in my knee so I'm hoping to use the season and winter to try to be more of an all-rounder and not just a bowler who swings the bat.

[InternalTraining]

Custom bats are great when:

a.) you absoutely know the specs you want or have a model/shape you want to replicate;
b.) want to experiment with shapes.
c.) visit the bat maker's workshop and can have an interactive experience while your bat is being made.

If none of the above are true, then you are gambling with your money. You may get a bat that you think meets your specs but until you play with that shape, you wouldn't know if it is right for you. I speak from experience after wasting thousands of dollars.

In my experience, the best way to get a custom bat made is by either:

a.) visiting the bat maker yourself and discussing what you want while trying out some bats/shape present in the workshop.
b.) work thru an agent (forum sponsors) who can look after the kind of pressing and shape of the bat and will work closely with the bat maker to ensure your needs/specs are met.

If you are looking for a off-the-shelf bat, try out some models off your friends/team mates. If you like a model in a given weight, reach out to an agent (forum sponsor, friend, anyone who knows about bats more than you do) and have them pick a bat for in your desired shape or weight. Several forum sponsors handpick bats and have excellent bats in stock.

If it sounds like I am dissuading you from getting a custom bat, I am not. I am sharing my experiences. If I knew 5 years ago what I know now, this is what I would do. Basically, this is what I have done (i.e following my own advice) with the current bat acquisitions I have made. And, I have some serious battage ( ) in possession.

[Alvaro]

Very well written post^^^^^^

[rockymoghal]

@InternalTraining Thank you for the brilliant advice. I think I am half deciding on a custom bat just because I like the idea of having a bat I can design. The only problem is I am not exactly sure what it is exactly that I want. The only bat I have ever truly loved was a Kookaburra "Diablo" which may not have been 100% authentic shall we say. Since that bat broke I have just used most of the asian brand bats from team mates or my dad, which in my opinion aren't always ideal for the pitches here. I will take your advice and try my best to make a decision. Thank you for sharing and sounds like you have a impressive bat collection 

[avkrish]

Custom bats are great when:

a.) you absoutely know the specs you want or have a model/shape you want to replicate;
b.) want to experiment with shapes.
c.) visit the bat maker's workshop and can have an interactive experience while your bat is being made.

A very well thought out & compiled post. If point c can be met, the rest should automatically fall in place unless you are not at all sure about what you require.

If point b is the priority, the best and sometimes the only option will be a custom made bat.

On a personal front, visiting a bat maker is impossible for me as I reside outside UK but I have still got a few bats made to my specs. They are all very nice but some of the specs. though mostly minor have got missed out almost always. Won't blame the bat maker alone, I too had to learn to communicate the specs. to them (without leaving out even those which may seem insignificant at first).

[sanredrose]

A very well thought out & compiled post. If point c can be met, the rest should automatically fall in place unless you are not at all sure about what you require.

If point b is the priority, the best and sometimes the only option will be a custom made bat.

On a personal front, visiting a bat maker is impossible for me as I reside outside UK but I have still got a few bats made to my specs. They are all very nice but some of the specs. though mostly minor have got missed out almost always. Won't blame the bat maker alone, I too had to learn to communicate the specs. to them (without leaving out even those which may seem insignificant at first).

Might warrant a separate thread ... What all details did you give to get a bat maker to do an exact copy of the design you are looking for ? With B3, i can understand since they provide CAD diagrams which clearly show the all the measurements. How about others ? How did you work with them ? What are those details which seemed insignificant at first ? Just curious .... 

[sanredrose]

@rockymoghal - Getting to visit bat maker in person is the best option possible. If possible carry your current favorite bat. You can use that to compare with the new bat ...

[rockymoghal]

@avkrish @sanredrose I think going to see B3 at their workshop will give me the best chance to look at and try out different bat shapes and weights. I have what's left of my favourite bat so I can take that as some starting point. I have certain features I want in my bat E.g. Minimal concaving and mid-low middle. Hopefully the guys at B3 can help me with the rest.

[Bats_Galore]

I would think you won't have any problem selecting your bat & specs, whilst I haven't been myself, by all accounts they have quite a few pre made bats to look at to clarify your thoughts and a mutual understanding between you and them as to what you are wanting. What I can say is that they certainly know their stuff and produce very well performing bats, so I would be surprised if you aren't happy with your bat when all is said and done.

[rockymoghal]

@Bats_Galore Yeah I'm really looking forward to it. Never actually owned my own bat so this will be a special moment. What are people's opinion on grading? I know there is quite a jump in price between 2 stripe and 3 stripe. Anyone had both? Is it worth spending the extra or is it purely for people who just want the bat to look better? I think that is the last decision I need to make. I wouldn't say looks are the only criteria but when you're spending more than I ever have on a bat I guess you do want it to look nice.

[dcullen8]

Ive currently got a 3 stripe and given the chance again id probably get a 2 stripe to save a little cash. Theres been plenty of cracking bats across all grades from b3 on the forum, you wont be dissapointed.