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[skip1973]

No doubting that handle was flexible but that isn't to say someone can't be successful *in spite of* their equipment etc, not *because* of it. I think what @WalkingWicket37 highlighted too goes to show that not all pros know their onions

Or maybe people on here don't know quite as much as they think?

[Blank Bats]

When your bat is at its peak, what is the flex in the handle like? Is it still stiff as it was when new?

[Number4]

Who was it that I seen standing on the handle to make it more flexible?

[Buzz]

This thread has turned a little into @sachin200 and @skip1973 championing flexible handles and @DorsetDan and me preferring stuff ones (handles Fattus, handles)

@Blank Bats is the bat at its peak because bit is played in of the handle is loose?

As has been said already, a bat with a flex in the handle that feels better may not have as good performance as a bat that feels stiff....

But as has also been said you should use a bat that gives you confidence.

[WalkingWicket37]

Or maybe people on here don't know quite as much as they think?

So if someone came into your shop, picked up two bats and started wacking the spine of one with the face of the other, what would you do?

[Blank Bats]

How do rehandled bats feel, so a used and played in blade with a new handle. Be interested to hear feedback

[Number4]

In my opinion a bat with a "flexible" handle gives the impression of it feeling better.. not saying it is better but it gives the impression... and I wouldn't  say "Ultra flexible"

[InternalTraining]

How do rehandled bats feel, so a used and played in blade with a new handle. Be interested to hear feedback

Not as good.

Handles break when bat is at their peak and part of it is due to flex/loosening of the bat handle.

I think this discussion has gone around in circles. Here are my two cents:

- Some pros prefer flexible handles. My personal experience with flexible handles (atleast one  ) is that it does make a difference and ball goes a long distance for a light bat. The problem I had was that I didn't feel I was getting true feedback from the handle for my shots which brings me to my second point...

- Some pros prefer stiff handles because they prefer true feedback of their shots.

[sachin200]

When your bat is at its peak, what is the flex in the handle like? Is it still stiff as it was when new?

Well said @Blank Bats . Anyway, I am not trying to prove anyone wrong or right here. I am just putting up a scientific argument. I have seen people buying batting gloves with more impact protection or people using more grips since it improved the feel of the bat plus the balance of the bat. I myself once used a CA bat with flexible handle a few years ago and I loved it and then I came across that scientific article so started this thread. I thought people pay too little attention to the handles and no one goes beyond oval/semioval or round while describing them. If you think critically, it is probably the most important portion of the bat since you may hit different regions of the bat while playing different shots/surfaces whereas for each one of your shots the force has to be sent through the same handle also the instant feedback that a batter gets after playing is through the vibrations of the same handle! All in all, I think it matters a lot more than what we think!

Ultimately whatever feels nice and gives you confidence is the best bat for you!

[sachin200]

In my opinion a bat with a "flexible" handle gives the impression of it feeling better.. not saying it is better but it gives the impression... and I wouldn't  say "Ultra flexible"

I agree @Number4 my scientific acumen tells me that handle stiffness is irrelevant if the ball impact time is so little. So, go for what you like more. Ultra flexible handle is going to create illusion for you that you are middling more shots!

[skip1973]

So if someone came into your shop, picked up two bats and started wacking the spine of one with the face of the other, what would you do?

We were talking handles weren't we?

[Buzz]

One question I would ask about handle stiffness is with hockey sticks have changed from being 2 piece wooden sticks to carbon composite sticks.

What you lose in touch with wood you gain in massive power through the shot due to increased stiffness.  Now no one uses a wooden stick.

Which I think is the point here.

[procricket]

Not as good.

Handles break when bat is at their peak and part of it is due to flex/loosening of the bat handle.

I think this discussion has gone around in circles. Here are my two cents:

- Some pros prefer flexible handles. My personal experience with flexible handles (atleast one  ) is that it does make a difference and ball goes a long distance for a light bat. The problem I had was that I didn't feel I was getting true feedback from the handle for my shots which brings me to my second point...

- Some pros prefer stiff handles because they prefer true feedback of their shots.

My thoughts are most pro do not have a clue what makes a good handle or bat and do not care because there better than all of us..

Seriously we massively over think on the forum I like the theory and thought but Pro by and large of what I have come across do not really care as long as it feels ok in there hand and they like the pick up.

Odd one will get returned if they net with it and do not like it.

The players I have come across tend to pick and go..

[WalkingWicket37]

We were talking handles weren't we?

I think we may have some crossed wires here. The below exchange is me pointing out he was hitting the spine of one bat with the face of another.
@DorsetDan then agreed with me that it possibly shows the pro's don't really know what they're looking for.

I then read your response as being "wacking the spine of one bat with the face of another is perfectly acceptable, I can't believe you don't know that trick"

WTF is he doing at 43 seconds?
That actually made me cringe when he did that 

No doubting that handle was flexible but that isn't to say someone can't be successful *in spite of* their equipment etc, not *because* of it. I think what @WalkingWicket37 highlighted too goes to show that not all pros know their onions

Or maybe people on here don't know quite as much as they think?

[sachin200]

One question I would ask about handle stiffness is with hockey sticks have changed from being 2 piece wooden sticks to carbon composite sticks.

What you lose in touch with wood you gain in massive power through the shot due to increased stiffness.  Now no one uses a wooden stick.

Which I think is the point here.

Do we know how long is the contact time of the hockey ball and bat while taking a hockey shot? Also the ball has completely different rebound caharacteristics to a cricket ball.