So, I bought a 'Cricket bat with Salix stickers' off eBay, and it arrived yesterday. According to the eBay listing the seller bought it in a job lot of stuff and wasn't sure whether it was a genuine Salix or just another brand bat with Salix stickers on. To be honest, I'm not sure either! Some things about it are quite Salix-y, others aren't. Would welcome forum expertise on the matter, it's got quite a distinctive handle end which I'm sure should place it somewhere. Possibly
@SOULMAN1012 could shed some Salix light on it? Confident the stickers are genuine, has possibly had a refurb in the not too distant past as there's some rough patches. That said, the finish probably wasn't helped by myHermes leaving it outside my front door in the pissing rain yesterday...
So, the bat. Grains are mixed, really quite nice on the inside half of the bat and a bit of a dog's dinner the other side towards the toe. Handle is a very thick semi oval which is right up my street so pleased there. Slightly odd feel tapping it up with a mallet to be honest, but response with a ball is good, definitely a nice middle on it. With a grip on it comes out a little over 2.12, my kind of finished weight, and picks up nicely with a good balance to it.
Shape - looks plausibly Salixy? Long spine all the way down to the toe, slight bow. Not big edges but a good bit of depth in the spine. A little concaving but not too much. Toeguard on so I can't check for binding lathe mark.
Shoulders/handle - again look not dissimilar to usual Salix from pictures, but I don't have another one to compare with. Little bit of filler under the binding, and an unusual shape knob I'm sure I've seen before but can't quite place.
So, the verdict! Is it a Salix? You tell me, I'd definitely be interested to hear from people who know more about their bats than me.
Is it a good bat? I think so, certainly for 99p
I'll obviously reserve full judgement until I've had a hit with it, but it's got a nice handle, is my weight, picks up well and seems to respond well out of the middle - I'm happy! If nothing else it'll make a top quality net bat and I'll see how it performs from there. Beat that, bargain hunters!