Topic: How 'custom made' are our bats in England? (Read 9943 times)

hit4six · « **on:** February 14, 2010, 10:54:48 PM »

This is topic of conversation that I sparked up with a family member of mine who is passionate about cricket.

How custom made are the bats we buy in England from companies claiming to be custom made?

PLEASE NOTE, THROUGHOUT THIS TOPIC, PRETEND YOU ARE BUYING A CUSTOM MADE BAT!

A definition, in my mind, of a custom made cricket bat company is where the customer can get a bat made to the correct specifications when it comes to PRESSING, Handle shape, amount of grains, middle position and profile.

If I said for instance that I would like a custom made bat from one of our custom companies in the UK, who advertise as custom made bat companies (the likes of H4L, Redback, Warsop etc), how many could get a bat to my EXACT specifications?

The bats we buy from India are pressed, shaped, and made to whatever you want, a bat pressed and made to how you want, and providing you overcome that communication barrier, I know for a fact that the customer can get exactly what they want. For instance, if I wanted a bat pressed as lightly as possible to ensure a large profile, 30mm+ edges at 2.10. If you contacted a supplier or manufacturer in India, I reckon this specification could be made easily. How many places in the UK could do this?

So how many of our advertised, "custom companies", can actually make a custom made bat, where the user can specify the amount they would like the bat pressed, exact profile and the exact finish they would like?

Are we being tricked into buying these "custom made" bats for �200+ when in reality, the company is buying clefts handled and pressed, and simply finishing the bats?

With the correct contacts, could we get the exact same bat made for us, in the sub continent, for half the price, which in reality, could be more custom made than any bat in England?

SillyShilly · « **Reply #1 on:** February 14, 2010, 11:07:39 PM »

I see your point but consider this - in this Indian factory they have 10,000 bats - likelihood is that one of these will suit your specifications and you get sent out a bat that has not been custom made but just picked out from a large batch. Secondly, pressing a bat soft doesnt mean you can get a large profile at all - the truth is that you ask for a soft pressing (dont know why as it would mean the bat will play poorly) and you will likely receive a standard press (are they really going to change the press settings for you??? perhaps, but unlikely). Thirdly, returns to these companies can sometimes be a pain and take some time, it is easier to go back to your local batmaker and sort out any issues with regards to weight and finishing etc.
When you say exact finish - what do you mean? Buffed? Unbuffed?
I understand what you are saying, but i think you overlook the work of many of the good batmakers in england. Indian batmakers are undoubtedly very skilled but i just find it hard to believe that they will entirely custom make you a bat like you mention above.
Some people are just finishers and they seem to sell well on this forum - dont think it is a trick, bats are just cheaper to produce in India

Howzat · « **Reply #2 on:** February 14, 2010, 11:16:25 PM »

Quote

For instance, if I wanted a bat pressed as lightly as possible to ensure a large profile, 30mm+ edges at 2.10. If you contacted a supplier or manufacturer in India, I reckon this specification could be made easily. How many places in the UK could do this?

I think the question is why would you want to do this?! Due to the way they dry their willow your obviously going to get more larger bats.

niceonechoppy · « **Reply #3 on:** February 14, 2010, 11:20:04 PM »

I believe these bats in England are custom made because the bat maker specifically has the specs you desire in mind, rather than say for 'AN Other' who simply wants a certain model of bat. Obviously India are always going to have the specs you desire because of the sheer quantity of bats they produce, but the question is who did they have in mind the general or the individual, that for me distinguishes a custom made batmaker from a general one.

hit4six · « **Reply #4 on:** February 14, 2010, 11:20:23 PM »

I am not biased or trying to cause argument in any of my responses, just trying to see if we can discuss something that in my eyes is over looked.

Firstly, I agree that yes some manufacturers could have upwards of 5000 bats laying around, and to be honest, I totally agree with what you said on this point about just finding a bat that fits the bill, but I was talking to a forum member (I wont name his name as it would be unfair) but apparently they went to a bat making in England and they had around 15 bats laying around, stickered and ready to go, which apparently had been made some if someone made an order, they could get them sent out quickly. Is that a custom made bat for the customer?

Secondly, I am not interested in getting the bat made to that specs, I was just purely using that as an example. A custom made bat in my eyes will be made so that the pressing is perfect. I can understand what you are saying by not changing the pressing, but thats what a custom made company would do.

I agree with you on the returns, and albeit, thats why I am still slightly and only slightly biased towards English made brands, and yes the indian bat makers look extremely skilled in their field of work.

My final question... is Fusion and Newbery the only 2 bat makers in the country who can make CUSTOM made bats?

Watsontotty · « **Reply #5 on:** February 14, 2010, 11:21:01 PM »

unfortunately its hard to say exactly what goes on in some makers work shops although a large number of bats are simply finished and sold as hand made/custom made. Show me a top bat made in the UK and i will show you a top bat made in India which will be equally as good in every way.

There are poor examples of bats made in both the UK and India and Pakistan however i think most people are aware of the quality available from Sareen Sports and Bas to name a couple so its up to the consumer and perhaps those with a decent level of knowledge will go for the Indian bats and save a good deal of money and others will go for uk made bats as the wrongly believe the quality is better.

A few years back the bats from Asia were at best ok but now they have progressed very well and if bought from a uk dealer like Asad then you get the best of both worlds and thats better than importing direct every day of the week.

hit4six · « **Reply #6 on:** February 14, 2010, 11:25:15 PM »

Quote from: Watsontotty on February 14, 2010, 11:21:01 PM

Some makers work shops although a large number of bats are simply finished and sold as hand made/custom made.

Like I said in my previous post, and this is a prime example of what I meant. For a company to tell a customer (a forum member on here) that they had made these bats which were laying around so that when the right order came, or one similar, they could simple send that one out to the customer!! Some people pay �200+ over the internet for a custom made bat, and in all fairness, they dont really know whether it is coming from India, or whether it had been made 3 months ago. I think I would HAVE to go to a workshop to see the bat being made to a) warrant its price tag and b) to ensure it was infact, handmade!

Howzat · « **Reply #7 on:** February 14, 2010, 11:31:29 PM »

Quote from: hit4six on February 14, 2010, 11:20:23 PM

My final question... is Fusion and Newbery the only 2 bat makers in the country who can make CUSTOM made bats?

Huh what about Gray Nicolls and Hell4Leather must be more too

Watsontotty · « **Reply #8 on:** February 14, 2010, 11:33:09 PM »

I would say the vast majority of bats are not made form a raw cleft, I've seen bats which are at different stages in most makers work shops I've visited and I'm guessing this is aimed at saving time so when a custom order comes in the pick something similar to whats ordered.

From the raw state id say its difficult to say for certain a particular cleft will meet a custom order once its finished hence why they prepare them to different stages and cut down on wasting material. Ive not really got a problem with is along as it meets your requirements and very few makers have offered to make a bat to my exact specification or they want an extraordinary amount of money.

Watsontotty · « **Reply #9 on:** February 14, 2010, 11:35:12 PM »

Gray Nicolls aint a good reference to custom made.

slogger02 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 14, 2010, 11:37:54 PM »

if your definition of a custom made bat includes pressing then this immediately rules out several companies as this just isnt foesable for them. presses are large, expensive and arent exactly sold in every B+Q. but these such brands that cant press can give you the exact specs you want, grains, middle position, handle type, edge size, spine height etc. to you do these count as custom companies?

Howzat · « **Reply #11 on:** February 14, 2010, 11:40:48 PM »

Quote from: Watsontotty on February 14, 2010, 11:35:12 PM

Gray Nicolls aint a good reference to custom made.

Why not he said "Who could make a custom made bat" - GN have that Kranszwatsit bloke their own willow and a press what more do they need to qualify?

hit4six · « **Reply #12 on:** February 14, 2010, 11:43:07 PM »

I can understand that some companies cant afford presses, or cant even find room for them, but in my eyes, a custom made bat is where you can specify the amount of pressing you require. Thats why I believe 80% of companies within the UK make handmade cricket bats, not custom made cricket bats.

Tom · « **Reply #13 on:** February 14, 2010, 11:43:56 PM »

What quantifies a handmade cricket bat is another story also Craig!

hit4six · « **Reply #14 on:** February 14, 2010, 11:44:45 PM »

Exactly, I know too well what some companies classify as "handmade" so I am not going to go into that one just yet!

Author Topic: How 'custom made' are our bats in England? (Read 9943 times)

hit4six

How 'custom made' are our bats in England?

SillyShilly

Re: How 'custom made' are our bats in England?

Howzat

Re: How 'custom made' are our bats in England?

niceonechoppy

Re: How 'custom made' are our bats in England?

hit4six

Re: How 'custom made' are our bats in England?

Watsontotty

Re: How 'custom made' are our bats in England?

hit4six

Re: How 'custom made' are our bats in England?

Howzat

Re: How 'custom made' are our bats in England?

Watsontotty

Re: How 'custom made' are our bats in England?

Watsontotty

Re: How 'custom made' are our bats in England?

slogger02

Re: How 'custom made' are our bats in England?

Howzat

Re: How 'custom made' are our bats in England?

hit4six

Re: How 'custom made' are our bats in England?

Tom

Re: How 'custom made' are our bats in England?

hit4six

Re: How 'custom made' are our bats in England?