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[330Mark]

I've just received a grade one gold sovereign from Paul but there are no bat care instructions included.
I've emailed him for some and checked his website but can't find anything, so if any of you have one of his bats...do they need wax or oil from new? and how long smacking with a mallet before they're done?
thanks in advance

[WalkingWicket37]

Treat it like any other bat mate. Better safe than sorry, after all.

I'd suggest you give it a couple of coats of oil, then spend (at least) 4 hours knocking it in and once it's ready to play apply a scuff sheet.

[horseman]

Ive got plenty. I usually spend a good time rounding the edges and knocking the toe in (my preferred parts of the blades to use). The middles feel good to go.
Paul usually waxes his blades as well. 

[330Mark]

well I've waxed the bat and will add another coat tomorrow...Paul has already put a scuff sheet on so I'll add a toe guard after I've beaten the willow to within an inch of its life (bloody prefitted scuff sheets lol)
thanks guys

[sanredrose]

Did you ask Paul to knock it for you ? If not, he usually puts a scuff sheet to protect the face and ship it out. Treat it like a regular bat with 2-3 coats of oil and couple of hours knocking.

[330Mark]

I got it at a knock down price as a premade...bought it as I like the cut of his jib on his youtube channel....seems a really nice guy and talks sense
I must admit that I am surprised that Paul hasn't taken the time to video an answer to what must be the most asked question about his stuff...bat care and knocking in

[Sitonit]

I think bat care and knocking-in is a pretty well known common piece of knowledge.
Paul may just think (a rightly so) that his customers should be cricket savvy enough to know these basics.

Perhaps there could be some minor variations but I guess at the end of the day, it's the same nature of willow, no matter who is the pod shaver.

[330Mark]

last bat I had was a Stuart Surridge Turbo...I think the game has moved on since then.
I had never even heard of bat wax 2 weeks ago

[Sitonit]

last bat I had was a Stuart Surridge Turbo....

Like the one from 70's?

[330Mark]

the one Graham Gooch scored 333 against India with...illegal these days as it had a laminated construction...circa 1990

[tom line]

@330Mark  if you are finding it hard to knock the bat with the scuff sheets already on in it may well be worth taking them off first then knocking especially as they tend to split a bit anyway when rounding the edges. There are several threads on here of how to do it if you wanted to go down that route

[330Mark]

it's not something I've discounted yet tbh. both my Aldred and my Newbery have the glass fibre edged sheets fitted and I will carry on as I am knocking them as I get time...the Newbery is described as prepared so I think it'll need less time than the sovereign.