Topic: Heartwood? (Read 7373 times)

Bats_Galore · « **on:** February 22, 2017, 08:55:18 PM »

I am seeing more and more pros using 1/2 and 1/2 coloured bats, and also saw the Johnny Bairstow video stating he prefers them for test cricket. For the batmakers and users what is the benefit?

tom line · « **Reply #1 on:** February 22, 2017, 09:02:38 PM »

It's more brittle, so if not looked after is likely to crack up quicker, it's also denser so will give you a heavier bat over a sapwood opponent, however if treated properly it looks after you as well as you look after it, the ball tends to fly off of heartwood a bit more and gives a lovely cracking sound when you hit the ball

GoldenArm · « **Reply #2 on:** February 22, 2017, 09:19:16 PM »

I had a Redback allegiance that was the reverse of what a lot of people like on their bats: all heartwood with a sliver of sapwood on the edge and the sound it made was the most satisfying of any bat I've ever owned.

This was the choice Gary gave me when I asked what he had back in 2009, it was a tough call! But mine was the one top left. Looked lovely when it was all cleaned up and finished, and only cost me �150! Happier bat buying days those were.

Biggie Smalls · « **Reply #3 on:** February 22, 2017, 09:21:53 PM »

Just splitting hairs here , but.....would a 50/50 two tone bat be ever so slightly lopsided , in terms of weight , if both sides were shaped to the same dimensions ? ( given that heartwood is denser / slightly heavier ).

Seniorplayer · « **Reply #4 on:** February 22, 2017, 09:24:03 PM »

Quote from: tom line on February 22, 2017, 09:02:38 PM

It's more brittle, so if not looked after is likely to crack up quicker, it's also denser so will give you a heavier bat over a sapwood opponent, however if treated properly it looks after you as well as you look after it, the ball tends to fly off of heartwood a bit more and gives a lovely cracking sound when you hit the ball

It used to be the very popular but dropped out of favour as white wood sapwood became the willow to be seen with. Also a thin strip of heartwood on the top edge of your bat can help prevent damage caused by edgeing the ball and for many it means there's no need for edge tape.

Seniorplayer · « **Reply #5 on:** February 22, 2017, 09:29:09 PM »

Quote from: Biggie Smalls on February 22, 2017, 09:21:53 PM

Just splitting hairs here , but.....would a 50/50 two tone bat be ever so slightly lopsided , in terms of weight , if both sides were shaped to the same dimensions ? ( given that heartwood is denser / slightly heavier ).

Yes due to a natural lack of sap.
Not to be confused with lack of sap due to over drying to remove weight

WalkingWicket37 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 22, 2017, 09:57:11 PM »

Quote from: Seniorplayer on February 22, 2017, 09:24:03 PM

It used to be the very popular but dropped out of favour as white wood sapwood became the willow to be seen with. Also a thin strip of heartwood on the top edge of your bat can help prevent damage caused by edgeing the ball and for many it means there's no need for edge tape.

Really? I thought it would be more likely to crack as it's naturally more brittle than sapwood?

It's a preference thing but I prefer my heartwood (no more than 1/3rd of the blade) on the inside edge of the bat as that's where I tend to hit it most (I could also save weight by cutting a hole in the middle...)

JK Lewis · « **Reply #7 on:** February 22, 2017, 10:13:22 PM »

This is an excellent, very useful thread, thank you. There is a lot of heartwood in the willow I split up yesterday, so I will think carefully about this when I get to the sawmill.

Seniorplayer · « **Reply #8 on:** February 22, 2017, 10:17:56 PM »

Quote from: WalkingWicket37 on February 22, 2017, 09:57:11 PM

Really? I thought it would be more likely to crack as it's naturally more brittle than sapwood?

It's a preference thing but I prefer my heartwood (no more than 1/3rd of the blade) on the inside edge of the bat as that's where I tend to hit it most (I could also save weight by cutting a hole in the middle...)

Yes it can be brittle but as Tom as said its also denser and harder it used to be so popular very few wanted sapwood bats players preferred a bat that would last a few seasons

Six Sixes Cricket · « **Reply #9 on:** February 23, 2017, 01:33:38 AM »

My b3 is all heartwood and a 358 cleft

JTtaylor145 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 23, 2017, 07:44:57 AM »

As stated earlier this is a trend that comes in and out of fashion. When we first started to see pro's using two toned willow as we called it back then we all wanted one. I've had excellent bats with plenty of heartwood and some others that were pure crud. It's all down to personal taste. I think there is some evidence to suggest performance is a more immediate with a two toned bat but durability is compromised a little. It's a good enough reason to have a bat in your collection with heartwood...just to experiment

elmoog · « **Reply #11 on:** February 23, 2017, 08:04:23 AM »

i think i might of had the redback on the bottom right.
really nice bat, strangly with no difference in sound between the heartwood and sap wood

Stuey · « **Reply #12 on:** February 23, 2017, 08:39:57 AM »

I'm not a fan of heartwood, I found it can split even if fully looked after. Might be fine for pros but not when spending my own cash.

FattusCattus · « **Reply #13 on:** February 23, 2017, 08:59:45 AM »

I don't like heartwood at all. My preference would be for an all sapwood blade of uniform colour if possible.

I would like another Redback though!

Seniorplayer · « **Reply #14 on:** February 23, 2017, 09:05:46 AM »

Quote from: JTtaylor145 on February 23, 2017, 07:44:57 AM

As stated earlier this is a trend that comes in and out of fashion. When we first started to see pro's using two toned willow as we called it back then we all wanted one. I've had excellent bats with plenty of heartwood and some others that were pure crud. It's all down to personal taste. I think there is some evidence to suggest performance is a more immediate with a two toned bat but durability is compromised a little. It's a good enough reason to have a bat in your collection with heartwood...just to experiment

It does come in and go out of fashion there was a time when when heartwood was so unpopular it was bleached white

Author Topic: Heartwood? (Read 7373 times)

Bats_Galore

Heartwood?

tom line

Re: Heartwood?

GoldenArm

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Biggie Smalls

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Seniorplayer

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Seniorplayer

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WalkingWicket37

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JK Lewis

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Seniorplayer

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Six Sixes Cricket

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JTtaylor145

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elmoog

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Stuey

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FattusCattus

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Seniorplayer

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