Topic: Fisher Bats - Australia (Read 20337 times)

Bats_Entertainment · « **Reply #15 on:** December 26, 2016, 08:00:22 PM »

Quote from: brokenbat on December 26, 2016, 07:57:33 PM

Thats the real issue then. You can't survive in any industry being static. Look at Apple - invented the smartphone, but no longer the dominant player in the industry. And this is with them pouring billions of dollars to keep up...imagine if they had just stuck with the original iPhone as their only phone!

Hardly a like for like comparison!

brokenbat · « **Reply #16 on:** December 26, 2016, 08:04:52 PM »

Quote from: Bats_Entertainment on December 26, 2016, 08:00:22 PM

Hardly a like for like comparison!

yes, its not really apples for apples (no pun intended)... perhaps this excerpt from Matthew Hayden's book illustrates the point better..

"...other companies had developed new, bigger bats with flat faces and far more power than my timid weapons.
This was when I was at the top of my game and felt that either Gray-Nic had to catch up with the times or I would have to go elsewhere. It was hard for both of us, because I never wanted to leave Gray-Nic (and never did, until the end of my Australian career). I had a meeting with the Gray-Nic powerbrokers and said, �You�ve been the greatest bat company ever, but you�re a conservative company, and unless you change you�re going to lose me and your foothold in the market. You�ll be blown away by the competition.�
To their credit, the company spent a lot of money upgrading its bats by acquiring machines which cut the bats with flat rather than curved faces. The edges of the bats became thicker. Bats had more wood and consequently more power, but were still easy to pick up. When I now pick up bats I used early in my career they seem so inferior."

Bats_Entertainment · « **Reply #17 on:** December 26, 2016, 08:27:26 PM »

Quote from: brokenbat on December 26, 2016, 08:04:52 PM

yes, its not really apples for apples (no pun intended)... perhaps this excerpt from Matthew Hayden's book illustrates the point better..

"...other companies had developed new, bigger bats with flat faces and far more power than my timid weapons.
This was when I was at the top of my game and felt that either Gray-Nic had to catch up with the times or I would have to go elsewhere. It was hard for both of us, because I never wanted to leave Gray-Nic (and never did, until the end of my Australian career). I had a meeting with the Gray-Nic powerbrokers and said, �You�ve been the greatest bat company ever, but you�re a conservative company, and unless you change you�re going to lose me and your foothold in the market. You�ll be blown away by the competition.�
To their credit, the company spent a lot of money upgrading its bats by acquiring machines which cut the bats with flat rather than curved faces. The edges of the bats became thicker. Bats had more wood and consequently more power, but were still easy to pick up. When I now pick up bats I used early in my career they seem so inferior."

Kook v GN is like for like. Apple v Fisher is not.

Bats_Entertainment · « **Reply #18 on:** December 26, 2016, 08:31:44 PM »

What these kind of arguments seem to ignore is that the likes of SS and SG actually turn out good bats? Or so I'm told by people who seem to know their stuff.

Gurujames · « **Reply #19 on:** December 26, 2016, 08:39:13 PM »

It is always a shame to lose a craftsperson with many many years experience. From the interview it is clear he is passionate about providing a quality product and service. I understand what he says about imported bats and how he cannot compete with their labour costs. I also agree when he says it is usually older cricketers who are more concerned with the quality of a product rather than the brand. It reminds me of a Paul Aldred video where he shows how filler is sometimes used in poor quality bats.
If he is an exponent of making small bats, his experience may be invaluable when bat size restrictions come into place.
Finally, where are you Aussies going to get your repairs done now? Support your artisans or lose their skills for good. Perhaps his bats will sell for crazy money in a few years time in a similar fashion to forum favourite Julian Millichamp, who by today's standards also produced small, oval handled small bowed bats.

Tom · « **Reply #20 on:** December 26, 2016, 08:54:36 PM »

The big 3 brands (GN, Kooka, Spartan) in Australia all employ local batmakers and there are still the likes of Bradbury & JPGavan manufacturing/repairing.

sarg · « **Reply #21 on:** December 26, 2016, 09:47:39 PM »

Quote from: Gurujames on December 26, 2016, 08:39:13 PM

Finally, where are you Aussies going to get your repairs done now?

There are lots of options open for custom bat making and repairs in every state.

Perfect example is handle replacement. I know two local repairers in Adelaide alone who just steam out the joint, pop out the old handle and fit the replacement. $80 thanks very much. There is not much of tooling and the profit is healthy. Not what the owner is expecting but it well.

Gurujames · « **Reply #22 on:** December 26, 2016, 09:49:32 PM »

Although still a tragedy, it's good to see the industry still healthy down under.

gerhard303 · « **Reply #23 on:** December 27, 2016, 12:10:33 AM »

Some very interesting and insightful comments on that Guardian article!

Bats_Entertainment · « **Reply #24 on:** December 27, 2016, 04:55:28 AM »

Quote from: gerhard303 on December 27, 2016, 12:10:33 AM

Some very interesting and insightful comments on that Guardian article!

Agree.

Pozza · « **Reply #25 on:** December 30, 2016, 07:34:29 AM »

He still makes a fantastic bat.

I found my old Fisher a few weeks ago. He made it for me probably 15 years ago and I rediscovered it having misplaced it 10 years ago when I gave up playing. I took it into Lachlan for an assessment and after a clean up it's still playing superbly.

From what I've heard from a few guys I play with his methods are a bit too traditional for some these days when they want something with thicker edges and bigger sweet spots. Having chatted to him I think that traditional nature and unwillingness to embrace change through things like social media or www are what lets him down. Having said that my bat is a ripper and I'd happily go to him again.

skip1973 · « **Reply #26 on:** December 30, 2016, 08:09:13 AM »

Have you used a modern bat though Pozza?

ppccopener · « **Reply #27 on:** December 30, 2016, 09:16:46 AM »

i read this article in the guardian. it's a bit of a bitter read to be honest.

i'm totally in favour of small batmakers rather than the big Companies personally and their batmaking skills

but despite challenges faced by sub continent makers paying low labour rates to make bats anyone needs to move with the times a bit just to keep up.

we could well see a return to more normal sized bats in future which makes the article all the more sad.

Seniorplayer · « **Reply #28 on:** December 30, 2016, 10:31:38 AM »

What I liked about the article is what we have known for years the lightest of the light best willow never reaches the shops it's skimmed of for the pros.

dan_nichols · « **Reply #29 on:** December 30, 2016, 11:29:44 AM »

I mentioned it in an earlier post but after the initial article made the newspaper over here a friend and i went to visit Lachlan Fisher and indeed his house (where his workshop is) was for sale and undergoing auction the following week but after a lengthy discussion with him it was clear he has no intention of ceasing making bats. He was moving to a smaller location an hour or so west of Melbourne, he had a lot of willow and bats part made stocked up and said he has orders for willow for the next two years placed with Wrights. He also has a connection to another boutique cricket venue north of Melbourne who grow their own willow. He said he intends to make bats forever.

What was clear was that he is incredibly bitter with his situation and for whatever reason is feeling very hard done by but equally looking at what he has in store and a few things he said he has refused to move with the times which hasn't helped his situation. I think his articles in media are more to
highlight his plight and get his opinion out there, whether it is right or not.

All that said, whether its downsizing or whatever its a shame it has come to this for somebody who has always made bats that are sought after all around Victoria.

Author Topic: Fisher Bats - Australia (Read 20337 times)

Bats_Entertainment

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brokenbat

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Bats_Entertainment

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Bats_Entertainment

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Gurujames

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Tom

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sarg

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Gurujames

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gerhard303

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Bats_Entertainment

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Pozza

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skip1973

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ppccopener

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Seniorplayer

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dan_nichols

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