Topic: Serbian Willow (Read 35059 times)

batmatt · « **on:** March 19, 2018, 07:44:47 AM »

Have many used bats out of Serbian willow lately?
If so what is your opinion?
Will it be a viable option for bat making in the future?

JK Lewis · « **Reply #1 on:** March 19, 2018, 07:56:52 AM »

Quote from: batmatt on March 19, 2018, 07:44:47 AM

Have many used bats out of Serbian willow lately?
If so what is your opinion?
Will it be a viable option for bat making in the future?

With demand for willow outstripping supply, I think that all new options will need to be evaluated for the future. But, for players buying bats, how would they know if their chosen one was made from Serbian Willow? I imagine that it won't look much different to English grown, and I doubt that manufacturers will advertise the heritage of the wood. Truth is, many batmakers probably won't even know if their clefts come from Serbia. Personally, I'd be interested to get hold of a couple of Serbian clefts, and experiment. Anyone know where I can source it?

Neon Cricket · « **Reply #2 on:** March 19, 2018, 10:56:55 AM »

@JK Lewis - Justin, speak to Hunts mate. They've got a steady supply so should be able to sort you out.

With regards to Serbian willow, I have one in my possession that I've used for a few nets and so far there's literally no difference between it and my English willow bats. The response is just as impressive and no noticeable damage/defects etc.

I haven't sold any through Neon yet, but am considering offering it as a slightly cheaper option for 2019 should the interest be there (I should stress slightly cheaper, as there really isn't much difference in price between Serbian and English).

On that note, if anyone would be interested in a Serbian willow bat then feel free to get in touch and I'll look at the prices etc.

edge · « **Reply #3 on:** March 19, 2018, 03:48:28 PM »

I've had two Serbian clefts through Hunts and I wouldn't have been able to tell if I didn't know, response on both is excellent. One's very pretty and is on its' way to becoming a lovely bat, the other is less pretty but a monster - it's the one on the right and is currently 2lb11. There's no difference to the usual English to be honest, not that I can tell anyway!

JK Lewis · « **Reply #4 on:** March 19, 2018, 04:51:11 PM »

Quote from: edge on March 19, 2018, 03:48:28 PM

I've had two Serbian clefts through Hunts and I wouldn't have been able to tell if I didn't know, response on both is excellent. One's very pretty and is on its' way to becoming a lovely bat, the other is less pretty but a monster - it's the one on the right and is currently 2lb11. There's no difference to the usual English to be honest, not that I can tell anyway!

Nice work Ed! 2.11 and still that much left to carve off. That's going to be a great bat. I'm just finishing a couple myself, gets me motivated for the new season.

edge · « **Reply #5 on:** March 19, 2018, 04:59:21 PM »

Quote from: JK Lewis on March 19, 2018, 04:51:11 PM

Nice work Ed! 2.11 and still that much left to carve off. That's going to be a great bat. I'm just finishing a couple myself, gets me motivated for the new season.

It was destined for someone else but I'm getting tempted to keep it for myself - it'll be about my weight if I just shape the shoulders and give it a sand! Too right, nothing like getting a bat ready to make you want to get out in the middle is there.

Northern monkey · « **Reply #6 on:** March 19, 2018, 06:03:09 PM »

2.11, very nice profile

I�d be very interested in shaping a Serbian willow cleft too

GDP1964 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 19, 2018, 06:08:09 PM »

I have done quite a few now so far no complaints I do stamp S W on the shoulders of every one I do I think it's certainly a option that some manufacturers may go down if they do I think the customer should be told if it's English Willow or Serbian

JK Lewis · « **Reply #8 on:** March 19, 2018, 06:11:04 PM »

Quote from: GDP1964 on March 19, 2018, 06:08:09 PM

I have done quite a few now so far no complaints I do stamp S W on the shoulders of every one I do I think it's certainly a option that some manufacturers may go down if they do I think the customer should be told if it's English Willow or Serbian

Nice idea GDP1964, very fair. From what I've seen it will be impossible to tell the difference, so I guess each batmaker will make his own mind up. Although, I do wonder if willow suppliers will always be so free with such information, especially as supply of English grown gets tighter...

Which brand are you mate? Always interested to know who's who out there.

batmatt · « **Reply #9 on:** March 20, 2018, 05:52:19 AM »

Is there much of a price difference between clefts?
Also love the look of the two bats @JK Lewis

JK Lewis · « **Reply #10 on:** March 20, 2018, 06:38:18 AM »

Quote from: batmatt on March 20, 2018, 05:52:19 AM

Is there much of a price difference between clefts?
Also love the look of the two bats @JK Lewis

@Neon Cricket says not, or not much anyway, and he's much closer to it than I. There's little reason it should be much less expensive, I imagine that once it's performance is accepted it will even up with English. Its growing in European conditions, so should be more similar to our willow than, say, Kashmiri.

Neon Cricket · « **Reply #11 on:** March 20, 2018, 06:51:28 AM »

@batmatt - as I understand the clefts themselves are slightly cheaper, but once you've factored in all of the import costs of getting the willow to the UK it doesn't leave much of a difference.

As Justin says, now it's starting to be accepted that this source of willow is just as effective as English grown willow I imagine the prices will eventually level out. The growing conditions are indeed very similar hence the performance/durability being so similar. With the growing shortage any new source of willow is good for the industry!

JK Lewis · « **Reply #12 on:** March 20, 2018, 07:24:00 AM »

Quote from: batmatt on March 20, 2018, 05:52:19 AM

Is there much of a price difference between clefts?
Also love the look of the two bats @JK Lewis

@batmatt also credit where it's due, those lovely bats are Edge's - far superior to my clunky efforts!

GDP1964 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 20, 2018, 07:58:15 AM »

Quote from: JK Lewis on March 19, 2018, 06:11:04 PM

Nice idea GDP1964, very fair. From what I've seen it will be impossible to tell the difference, so I guess each batmaker will make his own mind up. Although, I do wonder if willow suppliers will always be so free with such information, especially as supply of English grown gets tighter...

Which brand are you mate? Always interested to know who's who out there. B&S

batmatt · « **Reply #14 on:** March 20, 2018, 08:06:14 AM »

Quote from: JK Lewis on March 20, 2018, 07:24:00 AM

@batmatt also credit where it's due, those lovely bats are Edge's - far superior to my clunky efforts!

Yes It was meant to refer to edges bats

Author Topic: Serbian Willow (Read 35059 times)

batmatt

Serbian Willow

JK Lewis

Re: Serbian Willow

Neon Cricket

Re: Serbian Willow

edge

Re: Serbian Willow

JK Lewis

Re: Serbian Willow

edge

Re: Serbian Willow

Northern monkey

Re: Serbian Willow

GDP1964

Re: Serbian Willow

JK Lewis

Re: Serbian Willow

batmatt

Re: Serbian Willow

JK Lewis

Re: Serbian Willow

Neon Cricket

Re: Serbian Willow

JK Lewis

Re: Serbian Willow

GDP1964

Re: Serbian Willow

batmatt

Re: Serbian Willow