My first two custom purchases and this is a review of the purchase. The bats have been knocked in but haven't seen match conditions yet.
Background:
About 3 weeks ago, I had to get a new bat. The reasons had been building (but after reading this forum, I know several of you need no reason to buy a new bat and I can totally see why):
1. My match bats were too heavy - a Dukes weighing 2-11.8 and a GM Aura 606 weighing 2-11.3 - both pick up their weight. The Aura was my first bat after taking up cricket again after 20 years. The Dukes was an impulse purchase for half price on clearance at the end of last season (what was I thinking). The Aura is a better bat than the Dukes which turned out to be a total dud. The center of the Dukes pings (a pull and a cover drive are the only evidence) but low down, it vibrates and generally makes a sick thud when ball hits bat. So I switched back to my Aura. Last season was my first full season and I'd scored 2 half centuries with the Aura and a 45* and 37 this season.
2. My eye sight (and concentration and skills) aren't the best, so I pick balls mostly off the pitch rather than from the hand. A heavy bat makes it that much more difficult, so I wanted a lighter bat with a lighter pickup.
3. My Aura has developed a cracked toe which I noticed 3 weeks ago.
That's all the excuse I needed to get a new bat.
After doing a lot of research which consisted of reading this forum and watching youtube bat reviews, I had my heart set on a Blank Bat. My specs were as follows:
- Weight: Between 2 lb 8oz to 2lb 9oz all in without anti-scuff sheet (i.e. with grip, toe guard)
- Full profile, convex profile
- Mid-middle, mid-sweet spot
- Best performance cleft - best pinging cleft even if it's a lower grade but all else equal, I will take the highest grade willow.
I spoke with Tai of Blank Bats who advised me that the B1 profile suited my needs though the lightest he had was 2.10lb in the players grade. He informed me that he had one ready to ship the next day on payment.
Unbeknownst to me, my other half, who had overheard my conversation with Tai, obtained these specs from my phone and placed an order with Hunts County for a custom bat and let me know later that day. I then called Hunts had a lovely chat with Tony about the finer details of the bat. Tony said he will let me know if he made a bat that met my specifications, so I left him to it. I was surprised to be informed the next day that the bat was ready.
Both bats arrived within a day of each other. and 4 days after I had made up my mind to get a new bat I must commend both Blank Bats and Hunts County for their service. Both bats were absolute stunners (in my view at least) and though there were minor issues, I decided to keep both of them. They've been knocked in and I'm looking forward to using the Hunts this weekend. Both bats ping much better compared to my Aura but the Hunts is more ready as it is a Grade 1 and also has a slightly bigger profile and longer sweet spot. The Blank Bat needs more time to get to the level of the Hunts.
Blank Bats - B1 profile
Damage: £235.00 including shipping
Weight: 2lb 10.1oz
Decent edges and spine - I didn't measure but looks like a 35mm edge and approx 60mm spine
Picks up lighter
Oval handles
Players Grade (Grade 2)
6 grains - evenly spaced
Minor issue: blemishes near the splice on the back of the bat. They are actual small pin holes, I can get the tip of my nails into them. Nevertheless, Tai informed me that this shouldn't matter one iota and given the sterling reputation of Blank Bats customer service (and my own earlier dealings with Tai), I took him at this word.
Hunts County - Caerulex
Damage: £224.00 including shipping
Weight: 2lb 10.7oz
Decent edges and spine - I didn't measure but looks like a 35mm edge and approx 62mm spine
Slightly heavier than I wanted but picks up lighter. If the bat was 1oz lighter, I would've happily kept it. So do I return a stunner for 1 oz - 28 gm? That's right, sounded awful silly to me, so I kept it.
Round handle on top and oval at the bottom
Super Selected Grade - (Grade 1) - Hunts top grade
10 grains - mostly spaced
Minor issue: the duck bill isn't exactly symmetrical, one side has a smidgeon more wood taken out than the other. Its hard to tell from the photos though but I suppose a bit of assymetry is to be expected in handmade bats.
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Topic: Hunts Custom Caerulex and Blank Bats B1 - purchase review (Read 12558 times)