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[rockymoghal]

Hi guys,

Going to see B3 on Thursday and just wanted people's opinion on what they think about between 2 stripe and 3 stripe bats. I am not trying to affect B3 in anyway and don't want to sound negative at all. Just wanted to know what the general consensus was. Is the 3 stripe an improvement on performance or is it the aesthetics. Can you find a 2 stripe that performs like a 3 stripe and given the choice which one you most likely go for. I'm just trying to decide if I go for a 2 stripe or just pay the extra for a 3 stripe. My main point is performance and therefore can I find a 2 stripe that performs just as well as a 3 stripe. Would love to hear what people think.

[WalkingWicket37]

Why rule out a 1 stripe?
If a cleft is pressed well it will ping. You could get a nice cheap 1 stripe that goes like a tramp on meth!

[rockymoghal]

Really I just thought the lower grade would have some drop in performance. Do you think the grading is mainly due to the aesthetics then? Obviously it's not a small jump in price but I see the bat as a long term investment. So if I can get a better performing bat for more then I don't mind paying. Have you had any experience with a 1 stripe bat @WalkingWicket37 ?

[WalkingWicket37]

Grading is done on looks.
Anyone who "grades on performance" is trying to flog lower grade willow for a higher price basically.

And I have had a 1 stripe
http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=37243.0

[rockymoghal]

Okay wow the bat looks awesome and it sounds good as well. How is that bat going for you? Looks worth it. Looks don't mean anything as people have mentioned before, the bat gets covered so no point worrying. I guess the pressing at B3 must be top notch.

[horseman]

Seconded. Dont count out any bat until youve had a pick up and swing about. Hidden gems aplenty.

[jamielsn15]

I had a 3-stripe some years ago from B3, gorgeous bat.  Picked up a 2-stripe Mull when collecting it after a refurb and the 2 stripe absolutely flies, to be fair they both did.  Take your time picking some up and trying them in the showroom - as has been said, there are some absolute gems...

[sarg]

I have had one of each. My 3 stripe is way better than the butterfly, which is slightly better than the 2 stripe and 1 stripe which are on par in performance. They are all better than many of the big brand bats I have had through my hands and their pressing is way better now than the early DB2 I had.

Every cleft is different. Pick a shape that suits you and go from there.



BB in picture is not mine.

[brokenbat]

@sarg you have a great rack

[Ridenmarke]

I have had one of each. My 3 stripe is way better than the butterfly, which is slightly better than the 2 stripe and 1 stripe which are on par in performance. They are all better than many of the big brand bats I have had through my hands and their pressing is way better now than the early DB2 I had.

Every cleft is different. Pick a shape that suits you and go from there.



BB in picture is not mine.

Did you make that rack for cricket bats or was it just repurposed?

[Calzehbhoy]

@sarg you have a great rack

Nice and perky?

[waikik]

Grading is done on looks.
Anyone who "grades on performance" is trying to flog lower grade willow for a higher price basically.

And I have had a 1 stripe
http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=37243.0

When I got my 2 made by Julian they were graded on sound not looks. The first bat looked very nice with a small blemish
and performed fantastic. The second looked a lot worse but when Julian tested it with his mallet he said it was something special
and his was spot on, it performed better than my first.
My current bat in waiting is a B3 3 stripe bought with the 50% voucher deal looks quite good and its well into the knocking in stage
and the grains have started to open up which is a first for me.

[sarg]

Did you make that rack for cricket bats or was it just repurposed?

I made it for the bats I had at the time. By next week I will only have the GN, 1 and 3 stripe as the 2 stripe is listed on eBay. There was a thread on the rack but I couldn't find it. Turned out very handy for freshly oiled bats when I was knocking them in.

[Ridenmarke]

That's quite an ingenious solution. I was just using a few of my textbooks to hold my bats while oiling.