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[Calzehbhoy]

Hi guys,

I'm knocking in one of my recent purchased but have noticed a crack developing in the heartwood on the outside edge. If I tap further up or down the crack appears to be getting longer. Is this normal for heartwood and how can I protect the edge from the rest of the knocking in process/future use in games?

[tom line]

Did you oil before knocking in?
I'd get a little bit of super glue and put it over the crack then sand the crack lightly whilst still wet and it should close up and then knock in to even it out.
If you haven't oiled it I suggest the glueing as said before but before continue knocking give it a light coat of oil

[Calzehbhoy]

Yeah it's had 3 coats of oil.

After glueing will it continue to be able to knocked in as normal down that edge or should I just leave it as is?

[tom line]

Should be fine, if it continues cracking repeat and oil again as it is heartwood it might still need a bit more oil to soften it up
I would say go a bit gentler with the mallet on that area for a while first though before continuing to knock in as normal

[Australian fast bowler]

shouldnt be doing that no matter what!

3 coats of oil should be amble amount

how long did you wait in between the last coat and knocking in

Wonder if the responses above would be the same for a non forum sponsor

[Seniorplayer]

Absolutly no poit in keep applying oil as 3 coats are ample
Just knock in gently and apply edge tape.

[tom line]

shouldnt be doing that no matter what!

3 coats of oil should be amble amount

how long did you wait in between the last coat and knocking in

Wonder if the responses above would be the same for a non forum sponsor

I'll be honest I didn't even look to see what bat it was I literally saw the crack and advised with what I would do for any bat in that situation, if it was cracking horizontally all over the face would be a bit different but as it's only happening in one small location down the grain it's not a major issue

[tom line]

also it depends how much oil is considered a coat, if they have been 3 very light coats then that's when I suggest maybe another coat if it does continue as heartwood can be very brittle

[smilley792]

I find this happens if you go to hard on the edge to early.


And this happens a lot to all my bats, because when I do knock them in I can't be assed to take my time.

NB, kook, grays, b3, H4l red ink etc etc have all done to.

I don't really worry, as t's gonna get a lot worse than that once in the middle/nets. I just get to tape it up earlier. Lol.

[Red Ink Cricket]

Heartwood can take a little more moisture to soften up. I always soak and leave it for a few mins when pressing and re apply before pressing. Knocking in would be the same. It's worth taking it a little slower to start with.

I personally would never use superglue on a bat. It's too brittle and doesn't react well to being hit as it just fractures and breaks. Wood glue is always best.

[Calzehbhoy]

Cheers guys seems to be fairly common for Heartwood. It's my first ever time knocking in heartwood so I must have gone too hard too early (sounds like the majoirity of my innings tbh)

Will glue and then tape and get back to work on it.

[Six Sixes Cricket]

My bat is 100% heartwood, cracks appeared knocking it in, I have used superglue to fix and the cracks have not spread and have been fine