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[WSB]

Just wondering if any bat maker uses/sources their own toe guard material direct - or sources the material in larger sheet form and then cuts it down to toe size. Im sure for the price charged buying the material in larger sheet form (A4 or A3) would be more cost effective. It would then be a case of cutting to size and applying. Just thinking.....If anyone knows the spec of the material that might help. Ive had varying quality of toe guards - some last some don't (usually worn out on astroturf nets). Some are obviously made out of a cheaper mix of materials and don't last whilst others are very robust.

[Bat and Ball Cricket]

Hi @WSB .
Came across this thread looking for something else, but thought i'd drop a reply.

Not a maker/manufacturer, but i like toe guards on my bats in good order. I found myself going through them quite quickly so was looking for a cost effective option.
After trying the eBay route, i've ended up putting on mens business shoe soles. I referenced them when i did a quick review of my B3 Mullinator here:
http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=40758.msg649701#msg649701

Here is an eBay link to some as well:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/SHOE-REPAIR-1-5MM-Industrial-Grade-TOPY-Soles-Mens-Ladies-shoes-Rubber-Soles-/121279465519?var=&hash=item1c3cd1c82f:m:mBECA6es7C0RJvlgyX_zUuw

Here is my reasoning for using the shoe soles instead of genuine toe guards:
This year, I've started using mens dress shoe resoles instead of genuine cricket bat toe guards. Couple of reasons:
a. Price - one pair of resoles were about $16 on eBay, delivered. This will allow me to make six toe guards if you pre-cut, more if you apply directly. A two pack of genuine retails for about $12, so they are about half price for the same number of toe guards.
b. Quality/durability - I'd been going through three or four toe guards a season. When they start to wear, i replace the whole thing instead of 'repairing' with shoe goo. The one on my bat is the same one since i first applied. At this rate, my six guards are going to last well over two seasons.
This works out at $5.33 per season compared to $36 per season...

While i couldn't answer you directly about the sheets, I've found this alternative.
I'm also thinking about talking to my local boot repairer to see if they have sheets (Topy sell sheets as well as cut soles) to see if they have any.

[Kulli]

One thing I've wondered about is something like TK Stick Magic  which is used to protect/ repair hockey sticks. A thin layer or two with a sand at the end should look good, be thin, light and pretty durable... anyone tried it?

It's an epoxy isn't it, likely to be one of those that makes the bat more likely to split when hit if that's the case.

[Kulli]

Why would a bat be likely to split?

From experience when Epoxy toe guards crack (as they do being fairly brittle) they tend to take half the bat with them as they bond so well with the wood.

[Kulli]

Did my thesis on Epoxy resins, and spent a good deal of my time in the lab trying to adjust the formula to make a good toe guard also.

[Kulli]

Not enough of an expert to manage it though!