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[Seniorplayer]

I might be totally missing the point here, but I've always believed that a bat is either pressed properly, or it isn't.

Every bit of wood has an optimum range pressing wise, which is where the skill of the batmaker really shines through from my experience. I've had the odd request for 'soft/under' pressed bats, but have always just advised that all bats are pressed to the expert opinion of the batmaker(s) - at the end of the day they know what's best!

Yes you get bats that are 'hard' and 'soft' pressed, but surely these are just another term for 'over' and 'under' pressed? Please do correct me if I'm missing the mark, but that's always how I've been led to understand the pressing debate.

Not missing the point Adam all the above is correct pretty sure what's beening referred to is you can softer press a  top end natural low denisity cleft for feel through the handle and performance.
And I don't expect the experts on here to agree.

[WalkingWicket37]

Not missing the point Adam all the above is correct pretty sure what's beening referred to is you can softer press a  top end natural low denisity cleft for feel through the handle and performance.
And I don't expect the experts on here to agree.

There's a reason for that...

[Neon Cricket]

Right, it appears I must've taken a wrong turn to work this morning as I've ended up in Swindon again.

http://www.dangerousroads.org/europe/england/3766-swindon-s-magic-roundabout.html


Would love a true batmakers opinion on the matter - anyone fancy taking the plunge?

[Seniorplayer]

There's a reason for that...

And the reason is.....

[WalkingWicket37]

And the reason is.....

Each cleft has an optimum level of pressing. You agreed with this, then seemingly contradicted yourself with your comment.

Some may need to be stiffer or slightly softer pressed to reach this level as they're a natural product, but a blanket statement like "you can softer press a  top end natural low denisity cleft for feel through the handle and performance" is getting into a dodgy ground.

As far as "feel through the handle" goes that's a whole different kettle of fish again.

Enough of my ramble on this anyway, I think a proper batmaker needs to come and clarify this really.

#ChrisWoakesForPrimeMinister

[Seniorplayer]

Each cleft has an optimum level of pressing. You agreed with this, then seemingly contradicted yourself with your comment.

Some may need to be stiffer or slightly softer pressed to reach this level as they're a natural product, but a blanket statement like "you can softer press a  top end natural low denisity cleft for feel through the handle and performance" is getting into a dodgy ground.

As far as "feel through the handle" goes that's a whole different kettle of fish again.

Enough of my ramble on this anyway, I think a proper batmaker needs to come and clarify this really.

#ChrisWoakesForPrimeMinister

Not a contraction at all Cam    its  been  a few years  now but the information came from a well respected batmaker

[edge]

Engage brain and think what it means to you if your bat is softer pressed - you're just going to have to knock it in for longer. And if you don't knock it in for longer because you're Moeen Ali and you can't be bothered to knock your dozens of free bats in? It'll be soft, and the ball will make big dents in it. Quite apart from not wanting big dents in your bat, if the ball is making big dents it obviously isn't pinging off afterwards.

@Blank Bats is right I think, people say 'soft pressed' because they bounce a ball on a bat and get that feel through the handle of a smooth ping without any vibrations transmitted to their hands, so they say it feels soft. Lots of vibrations through to the handle = 'hard'.

If you want a batmaker to tell you: https://youtu.be/bolaXSKgOYY

[Kulli]

If you want a batmaker to tell you: https://youtu.be/bolaXSKgOYY

Then order a softly pressed pro bat from him through Newbery?

[WalkingWicket37]

Then order a softly pressed pro bat from him through Newbery?

Money changes people...

[InternalTraining]

Unfortunately, the "hard pressing" concept can be squarely blamed on bat makers who press bats extremely hard to avoid warranty claims. Some of these bats never really perform to a batsman's liking. Any bat that is not pressed to that level of hardness is feels a "soft" pressed bat by batsmen. The rebound on those bats has a springy, soft feel to it. These bats also perform very quickly meaning that the bat face exhibits responsiveness and value for shots. These bats do require knocking and malleting because ball leave marks and finger-nail test leaves an impression. However, the bat doesn't require an extensive knocking process meaning that bat makers pressed that bat enough so that a batsman can find their acceptable level of comfort/responsiveness with that bat. Those are the best bats. Lot of my Keeleys are like that. Kranzbuhlers require minimum knocking to see the ball flying off the face. In my experience, there is actuall soft pressing where balls leaves dents on the bat face. Those bats require a lot of knocking but good thing about them is that you have the freedom/option to  find your level of comfort/acceptability with the response. These bats do require care and some timing when preparing them. Now, some might call them under-pressed bats but for a nit-picker those might be the best option. In my opinion, any press other than "warranty avoidance press" is better as long as the batsman knows what he needs to do - simply since a batsman can caliberate the knocking/hardness of the face to their liking.

A friend ordered a Signature from Laver and requested a soft pressing. Laver's response was that that bat might break but went ahead with the request and made the bat with soft pressing. The bat plays great but has dents and cracks from shots. Anyone who's used a Laver knows how hard pressed they and with their "helicopter" scuff sheet, virtually blemish free after use in the nets. Soft pressing is not a myth.

[Seniorplayer]

Engage brain and think what it means to you if your bat is softer pressed - you're just going to have to knock it in for longer. And if you don't knock it in for longer because you're Moeen Ali and you can't be bothered to knock your dozens of free bats in? It'll be soft, and the ball will make big dents in it. Quite apart from not wanting big dents in your bat, if the ball is making big dents it obviously isn't pinging off afterwards.

@Blank Bats is right I think, people say 'soft pressed' because they bounce a ball on a bat and get that feel through the handle of a smooth ping without any vibrations transmitted to their hands, so they say it feels soft. Lots of vibrations through to the handle = 'hard'.

If you want a batmaker to tell you: https://youtu.be/bolaXSKgOYY

Not strictly true seen many bats ping and leave dents

[Mattsky]

My God...what have I done...   

[Tom]

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/pressing-like-pro-dr-david-bacon/

[SOULMAN1012]

I can only speak from 3 years working with Kember and he pressed every cleft differently based on his expert opinion of what each cleft required, now his standards are so high it's untrue when it comes to ensuring each bat is made to exact specs but that the customer is getting the best performing bat for there budget and always made it clear that in his opinion the pressing was an individual thing.
I saw countless people ask him to press it to Pro standard and he always replied I don't know what that is, a pro is a pro for a reason and will find the middle more often the club joe who will mistime more shots than a pro.

I do think there is sone truth so some companies pressing bats harder to reduce warranty claims but given there due they know half the people will buy a bat and that evening or day try and smash the ball into next week without giving that bat any preparation at all.

Kember always maintained the quality of ball used was also so important

[The Doctor]

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/pressing-like-pro-dr-david-bacon/

Forgot I had written that Tom!