Thanks for all the input and ideas, after doing lots of research and very nearly pulling the trigger on any number of bats I decided if I was going to buy something decent then I’d like to see how it feels and picks up rather than take a punt on weight etc
That meant paying a visit to my local batmakers down the road at Hawk. I’d been put off after I had a bat from them years ago that was very hard pressed and never opened up but know they make decent bats.
Was hoping to pick something up premade off the shelf at a weight that felt right but they had nothing at all that was finished, even the models were raw unfinished shapes.
Picked out the 700 profile with a low middle then had a choice to make between the unfinished bats. Tapped lots up and they all pinged well and as there was very little to chose between the cosmetic appearance of different grades or the ping, number of grains etc I went for a lesser grade that pinged well.
They were telling me they are having lots of problems getting decent willow at the moment and showed me a couple of pro bats that were on there way out and had ok grains but a fair few knot marks and blemishes. They would ‘never normally have dreamt of sending these out as players grade’
Talked about weight and asked for something in the 2’9 ball park, this one will come out at 2’10 but pick up a lot lighter.
So after all that I’ve still ended up buying a bat that I still wont have any idea how it actually picks up or feels in my hands until I’ve bought it, still looking forward to picking it up next week though!
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Topic: new bat time - recommendations sought (Read 2121 times)