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[Abighugeappl]

So I bought a H4L Fifty/50 off eBay fairly recently, and it's been sourced through Vitas as it has their sticker towards the toe. I'm not too sure about how much knocking in/preparation it had done prior to me purchasing it.
The outside edge is heartwood, and as a heavy user of the outside edge it's just getting totally mashed. I had one crack appear and then knocked it in more, and then another bigger one came about today. I'm really torn about what to do, as it just keeps happening and getting worse. Do I keep knocking in the edge and then apply tape? (In all honesty the bat does seem very soft, so not sure if this will help?) Or do I remove the scuff sheet, try and sort out the edges (glue etc.) and then reapply scuff sheet?

Any help would be much appreciated

[sanredrose]

Did you check with eBay seller on the extent of usage on this bat prior to purchase? If not, then your only recourse would be get it refurbished by professional bat maker/retail repair facility in your area.

[Abighugeappl]

Did you check with eBay seller on the extent of usage on this bat prior to purchase? If not, then your only recourse would be get it refurbished by professional bat maker/retail repair facility in your area.

Was listed as brand new, and had some balls bounced on it as could see in the scuff the seam marks. But even then I've given it a good few hours knocking in, and focused a fair amount on the edges. Is there any chance that if I were to just knock it in a bit more, that the edge could get any worse? Or is there anything that I could do my end?

[tom line]

I fail to believe that's had sufficient Knocking in, the edges still look square to me rather than rounded off

[Boondougal]

I'd take the scuff off, knock in until your happy then glue and sand.... Its not that hard a job and at the end of the day its still natural product and if you are a "heavy" user of that edge its going to be hard to not get damage like this.

[KW9221]

1) stop edging the ball. Try to middle it.

2) send it to @tom line  I am sure he will sort it out for you.

[Abighugeappl]

Wish I could stop edging the ball!

I reckon I'll have a blast at fixing it myself, and knocking it in more. If it gets worse I'll send it off somewhere
Thanks guys

[sanredrose]

Was listed as brand new, and had some balls bounced on it as could see in the scuff the seam marks. But even then I've given it a good few hours knocking in, and focused a fair amount on the edges. Is there any chance that if I were to just knock it in a bit more, that the edge could get any worse? Or is there anything that I could do my end?

From the pictures, i am not able to say how well its been knocked. As other have suggested, i would recommend scuff sheet removal, inspect damage up-close and prepare as necessary.

Check out @Gingerbusiness bat knocking thread. It has loads of useful information ....

[Michael.Franks1965]

Why not make contact with the bat maker and ask them for their professional advice ?

[bostoncricketer]

The outside edge on my h4l split pretty bad during knocking in. I ended up taking big pieces out of the edge from the bottom to the stickers. Rebuilt it using the original pieces, some toothpicks, wood filler and lots of glue followed by sanding, 3 layers of edge tape and a clear scuff.

[brokenbat]

step 1 would be to stop using it. every hit seems to create a new crack. so as others have mentioned, you need to patiently remove the sheet, oil it, and then roll the edges and knock them in as if it were a brand new bat.

then, use in nets before putting another sheet on - this way, if you get more cracks, you can repair them prior to putting on a new sheet.

[Gurujames]

It's nothing major. I agree with those who call for the removal of the scuff sheet and round the edges before putting a new sheet on. If the joint doesn't move when you press hard down on it there is no need to contemplate repairs.

[InternalTraining]

@Abighugeappl , few cracks are the norm for my bats - insider edges due to off-cutters and it is not a big deal. I oil, glue, and sand the edge.

In my experience, knocking a bat is not a guarantee of preventing cracks - knocking is not going to turn your edges into edges of unbreakable steel. They happen when they happen,  I fix them the best I can and move on.