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[skip1973]

The real question is which pros pay for bats from whom.
I have no idea who pays for Andrew Kember's bats but I know that Tim doesn't run a pro bat charity...

Neither does Stu at GN, there was an Indian player quite taken back when he got hit with a bill from GN a few years ago.

[Neon Cricket]

These sort of threads are total garbage in my book to be honest. There's plenty of bat makers out there that make stunning bats for amateurs and pros alike - do we really need to keep comparing one another (especially when the two you're comparing go about things completely differently!!)

In reality the most experienced bat maker in the world, and probably the best, is more than likely to be found in the sub-continent.

[JK Lewis]

In reality the most experienced bat maker in the world, and probably the best, is more than likely to be found in the sub-continent.

That's a really interesting shout. I've often wondered who gets top billing over there. Are you talking about one batmaker in particular? Genuinely interested.

[WalkingWicket37]

The real question is which pros pay for bats from whom.
I have no idea who pays for Andrew Kember's bats but I know that Tim doesn't run a pro bat charity...

Do these players sponsors foot the bill, or do the players actually buy the bats out of their own pockets?

[Neon Cricket]

That's a really interesting shout. I've often wondered who gets top billing over there. Are you talking about one batmaker in particular? Genuinely interested.

No specific knowledge I'm afraid - I'm as equally intrigued as you! There must be some true masters working overseas though, easily 40/50+ years experience I would've thought.

As far as my personal experiences go I've only had first hand experience with Robinsons from when I've met up with Surinder, but the bats he's brought with him have always been exceptional pieces of work. As good as any I've come across elsewhere.

[Real Munson]

Having played cricket with someone that used to work at Salix, I don't think Andy Kember is a fan of making blank bats to be stickered up by pro's. You either want to use Salix as a brand or you don't. Sam Northeast used Salix for ages - I'm guessing once he went to Slazenger, Salix stopped making bats for him. Newbery have been making blank bats for pro's for years - they almost went bust in the late 80's and most of the bats they made went to the likes of Kookaburra and Zenith, so Tim's always made bats for pro's - which they are obviously happy to pay for.

[skip1973]

It's not hard to take stickers off.

[Buzz]

Do these players sponsors foot the bill, or do the players actually buy the bats out of their own pockets?

It depends on the arrangements made with Tim as I understand.

Hypothetically let's say Nike want Tim to make bats for a bunch of their pros, then I am sure they could have an arrangement, but if you were with GM or Ton the situation would not be the same.

[Yorkershire]

It's not hard to take stickers off.

Or just ask for a blank bat lol Wonder if Salix do blanks?

[WalkingWicket37]

@Yorkershire look at the post directly above the one you quoted 

[Yorkershire]

@Yorkershire look at the post directly above the one you quoted 

I really need to read more carefully rather than pic up on soundbites!

[CricketXI]

I do not know who makes the best bats or even that's a correct question in the first place.

But I do not get it when a piece (which in fact every bat is) of wood  costs more than latest iphone/samsungs.
I believe there should be a balance in pricing or else people will not be able to rate a bat properly.
Some people under the influence of money tag will always pick the costliest ones as the best ones and some will look for best value for money.

And to me the Bat pricing and quality (in today's market) are same as buying the high end analog wrist watch or having iranian beluga caviar.
Both will never justify their price for their usage.

[InternalTraining]

I do not know who makes the best bats or even that's a correct question in the first place.

But I do not get it when a piece (which in fact every bat is) of wood  costs more than latest iphone/samsungs.
I believe there should be a balance in pricing or else people will not be able to rate a bat properly.
Some people under the influence of money tag will always pick the costliest ones as the best ones and some will look for best value for money.

And to me the Bat pricing and quality (in today's market) are same as buying the high end analog wrist watch or having iranian beluga caviar.
Both will never justify their price for their usage.

You make some very good points.

Going to a reputable bat maker/brand and paying high price eliminates some risks and increases the probability of getting a good bat. That's all. For those of us, who don't live in cricket gear rich countries, that guarantee could mean enjoying an entire season instead of anguishing over half (or more) of a season where lower priced (value) bat didn't open up or ping or play well. I'd happily buy no-brand, no-label, ugly betty, high pinging bats at low costs if they were available. From experience, such bats are hard to find.
Now, we can get into that but it is a separate discussion.

All I know is that TK is one of the bat brands that doesn't disappoint and mine just sounds exquisite. And, secondly, I stocked up when prices were lower than the 500/600 GBP mark. I haven't bought a bat in a year (sacrilege, I know ) but I am pretty stocked up on good ones and prices are pretty high on those bats right now. 

[tushar sehgal]

Only differences ive ever noticed is that AJK seems to be a little bit more focused on durability than TK. They always seem to use denser wood and harder press as ive never seen any Salix with over 40mm edge and most seem to have a light concave whereas I've seen a lot of massive TK bats. Both are amazing bat makers and you really cant compare them.

I am late on here but I disagree on the size generalization, I had a Salix Torque that was massive and had 0 concaving, weighed only 2-10/11. Pressing was harder than TK for sure but not anywhere closed to what I would call are hard or soft pressed, I would say pressed correctly for that cleft.

[SD]

These sort of threads are total garbage in my book to be honest. There's plenty of bat makers out there that make stunning bats for amateurs and pros alike - do we really need to keep comparing one another (especially when the two you're comparing go about things completely differently!!)

In reality the most experienced bat maker in the world, and probably the best, is more than likely to be found in the sub-continent.

Personally, the fact that both go about the process in a different way is part of what makes this an interesting question.