There's a video on You Tube, featuring Brad Haddin, about a University doing research and trying to identify the exact characteristics of a very responsive willow.
I'll post the link later, if no-one manages to find it first.
They didn’t post any results. I wrote to the university and got no where. Just another bit of research that benefits no one.
Who makes the better bat.....hmmm
In terms of attention to detail, Salix workmanship seems peerless.
In terms of actually ending up in players hands, TK was all geared up for larger production.
Press of both seem similar.
Inspirations of both bat makers is totally different.
I’m pretty certain TK has made for more international players and taken feedback and developed designs based on it. His shapes over the years have taken risks and introduced innovations and a few gimmicks. This is very much in the Newbery tradition.
AJK seems to Chase perfection and prides himself on the finish of the product. His inspirations are well set out on his website and I think he is less concerned with tweaking shapes and his bats balance and feel lovely in the hands.
I won’t judge them as they are different in terms of approach and both have loyal customers. I cannot see a player will go wrong if either was given the same cleft, but the bats would be different.