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[ppccopener]

ive been fiddling around with 2 bats (count em!) this weekend

both 2lb 10 oz in weight

one is a bowed grade 1 uk made(salix)

one is a straight blade grade 2 flat faced bat (GM)

the bowed bat picks up much much better than the flat bladed bat, so much so you would think there were 3-4 oz's in weight difference

I put this down to 3 things myself

1. the grade 1 is a better quality willow
2. the grade 1 has a mid middle, the grade 2 has a mid to low sweet spot.
3. the grade 1 has a slightly thicker handle on it and has 2 grips fitted-the grade 2 thinner handle and one grip.

and lastly......I think the bow help pick up a little bit as well-how much...I don't know.

not scientific at all-just my opinion

 

[Seniorplayer]

And the grade 1 could be lighter density.

[tom line]

Pick up can also be down to what end the handle is in, if the density of the cleft is higher towards the handle end it will pick up better than if it's denser at the toe

[Wickets-then-runs]

And the grade 1 could be lighter density.

if the weights are the same, should the density make a difference in this case?

[Seniorplayer]

 Based on  on two identical bat I had made one with a lower density if  the weights are the same the and handles weigh the same the middle the same shape same etc  the  low  denisty bat  pick up is lighter

[JonathanH]

Density is a pretty interesting factor in a bat. According to what I have read, high quality willow should have a density between 340-420 kg/m^3. The density relates to edge thickness and spine height of bats as length and width are of standard dimension. I always though more the density, better is the quality of the willow and for a particular mass of the bat, the edge should be just thick enough to ensure density is more. Pressing probably improves density, not sure about it though. But, I never thought it could also relate to bow of bat. 

Curious to know, if two bats are of the same weight, same edge thickness, and same handle, will the density change. According to my understanding it should not. Thanks

[Seniorplayer]

 Jonathan a natural willow  low density  cleft wouldn't change but an unnatural over dried one will.

[JonathanH]

Aha. That's very interesting. The drying process also plays a role in the density. I think in India clefts are air dried whereas in the UK they are Kiln dried. Do both these methods change the density of cleft in different ways?

[Seniorplayer]

Aha. That's very interesting. The drying process also plays a role in the density. I think in India clefts are air dried whereas in the UK they are Kiln dried. Do both these methods change the density of cleft in different ways?

In the uk clefts are kept off the ground  in the open under cover for around 3 months to get the moisture down follow by around 21 days kiln drying to get the  cleft moisture down to around a workable Batmaking   10 percent.
As for affecting the cleft many say Asian made bats don't last as long due to drying methods ie extreme heat.