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Author Topic: Tim Keeley - whats so special!  (Read 12578 times)

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stevat

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Tom

Re: Tim Keeley - whats so special!
« Reply #46 on: November 26, 2018, 10:15:06 PM »

What makes a Tim Keeley bat special? Well, I'm a firm believer that there's not that much between top-level batmakers. They all use the same willow and handle - and the MCC have limited any real innovation so is the average Tim Keeley bat significantly better than anyone else's? Probably not. The bats Tim and Nick make are wonderfully consistent and well pressed, but they are not alone in this.

What does set the Tim (and his brother) apart though is their reputation. And that's a reputation he thoroughly, thoroughly deserves. Though it does make me chuckle seeing those saying Tim isn't 'innovative'.

Tim has been making bats by CNC since the 90s, pretty much the same technology that GM launched 10 years later and now claim make them the World's most advanced batmakers. First short blade, long handle cricket bat? Again - Tim Keeley, with the Newbery Uzi. It's taken over 10 years for other brands to cotton on with every brand now offering one in their range. First carbon handle cricket bat? Again. Tim Keeley. Adjustable counterbalanced handles? Yep, him too.

Tim is one of the last remaining batmakers of the John Newbery dynasty, one of the few remaining now Millichamp has stopped making. Newbery has done more for cricket bat design than anyone in the past 100 years. The Scoop was his design, as was the Excalibur. These are 2 of the most iconic designs ever to have graced the field. Tim trained directly under his stewardship.

Keeley fully deserves his reputation and the plaudits, and the industry widely recognises this too. When a young batmaker needs help starting out, who is the first to lend a hand? Who do the Indian batmakers visit for advice on shaping and finishing? He's the most humble, helpful, artisan you could hope to meet.

It's possible to visit the Keeley factory and see them in action and I can't recommend it enough.
« Last Edit: November 26, 2018, 10:18:20 PM by Tom »
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Ayrtek Cricket

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Re: Tim Keeley - whats so special!
« Reply #47 on: November 26, 2018, 10:19:55 PM »

Very well said Tom 👏
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Bats_Entertainment

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Re: Tim Keeley - whats so special!
« Reply #48 on: November 26, 2018, 11:31:39 PM »

Seems we can add Ayrtek.
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langer17

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Re: Tim Keeley - whats so special!
« Reply #49 on: November 27, 2018, 04:01:09 AM »

Of my 15 scores over 50 in Grade cricket, 11 of those have been with the same TK made Helios which is 6 years old now. Have tried countless other bats (and spent a lot of $$)  but I just cannot find anything that I like as much. The handle is what makes it awesome for me, the top part of the handle seems slightly larger than where my bottom hand sits, which I love.
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Kulli

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Re: Tim Keeley - whats so special!
« Reply #50 on: November 27, 2018, 07:01:33 AM »

I've had bats every good as bit the TK's I've owned from other places (a few possibly better), but I think it's probably their consistancy that keeps me coming back, have had maybe 8-9 and not one has been a dud.

You don't need more than one duffer from a place to put you off buying anymore.
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Novak

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Re: Tim Keeley - whats so special!
« Reply #51 on: November 27, 2018, 07:12:22 AM »

His reputation is very high but you can get retail ones which are due which are white labelled . Produced by Keeley but labelled by another

Would be rare though

His reputation is very high
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ibrartariq

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Re: Tim Keeley - whats so special!
« Reply #52 on: November 27, 2018, 07:32:53 AM »

One thing i have noticed is that prices across all the private labelled TK,s vary alot.
So who to get it from for better value for money?
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Cholrudee

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Re: Tim Keeley - whats so special!
« Reply #53 on: November 27, 2018, 08:38:44 AM »

Nick Keeley
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Ayrtek Cricket

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Re: Tim Keeley - whats so special!
« Reply #54 on: November 27, 2018, 09:40:37 AM »

One thing i have noticed is that prices across all the private labelled TK,s vary alot.
So who to get it from for better value for money?

They will vary as some of the brands are VAT registered where as some are rs so can afford to offer them at a cheaper price point without sacrificing margin upon them.
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velvetsky01

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Re: Tim Keeley - whats so special!
« Reply #55 on: November 27, 2018, 09:41:39 AM »

One thing i have noticed is that prices across all the private labelled TK,s vary alot.
So who to get it from for better value for money?

I would say Blank Bats for a new TK stick - I maybe should have taken my own advice after purchasing a new stick this year however I really like the "Keeley" decals and would like them to match my pads and gloves  lol
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Ayrtek Cricket

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Re: Tim Keeley - whats so special!
« Reply #56 on: November 27, 2018, 09:45:13 AM »

Seems we can add Ayrtek.

I used to source my Bats from Tim and have probably helped a few brands on here get themselves set up by passing on Tims details to them. Given this I now source from elsewhere from what I deem to be the batmaker that is going to be held in the high regard Tim is now once the John Newbery stable of students hang up their draw knifes.
« Last Edit: November 27, 2018, 09:46:51 AM by Ayrtek Cricket »
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Bats_Entertainment

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Re: Tim Keeley - whats so special!
« Reply #57 on: November 27, 2018, 10:44:51 AM »

I used to source my Bats from Tim and have probably helped a few brands on here get themselves set up by passing on Tims details to them. Given this I now source from elsewhere from what I deem to be the batmaker that is going to be held in the high regard Tim is now once the John Newbery stable of students hang up their draw knifes.

I'm guessing he's from Yorkshire.
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Bats_Entertainment

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Re: Tim Keeley - whats so special!
« Reply #58 on: November 27, 2018, 11:01:10 AM »

How does he make so many bats? And are the ones he supplies by the hundredweight to Rick's Sticks, or whoever, really be anything like the ones he makes for the top pro's?
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Ayrtek Cricket

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Re: Tim Keeley - whats so special!
« Reply #59 on: November 27, 2018, 11:11:54 AM »

I'm guessing he's from Yorkshire.

Barking up the wrong Salix Alba im afraid
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