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[Mfarank]

I was fascinated by the GM Kaha when it came out in 2016 and been wanting to buy one for ages. But since its discontinuation post 2017 and a failed attempt at securing one from the forum, i decided to look at other options. And since my experiment with RS worked wonders (scored a 57 ball 70 with the butterfly yesterday including 2 massive sixes and half of my team wants to buy it off me already), i decided i will have them make a Kaha replica for me. With my birthday right around the corner and the Mrs. Expressing her interest to gift me a new bat, i got in touch with Jolly a few weeks ago and explained what i wanted. He was more than happy to take up the challenge. This time i went one up and told him i want a Grade 2.

As before, he gave me a few cleft options and made special recommendation towards this particular one. He told me this is the best performing grade 2 cleft he has seen for a long time so i said why not lets do it. It's got slight discoloration on one edge but thats purely cosmetic. 7 clean and straight grains.



On with the job, i sent him the Kaha page from the GM BOC and a couple of youtube videos of it. Told him to keep it under 1200g finished and requested that the handle be kept exactly the same oval shape as my last order ala my Blank bats B4 which i find to be perfect for me. He said it won't be a problem. Here is the bat in its half finished state.




Everything looked good. I told him to go for the blue and white stickers on this and they finished the bat next day and sent me a few snaps and videos of the finished bat.


 

 

As with the Kaha, it has a 525mm blade, 325mm handle, 37mm edge and 67mm spine. He managed to keep it to 1198g which is about 2lb10.5oz which i can work with. He says it picks up like a 2.9

Cherry on top, my indian coleague went home on holiday at the perfect time and agreed to carry the bat for me. So i saved over 30gbp on shipping and taxes. He will be coming back with the bat hopefully on the 28th. So the total cost to me was INR9750 which comes to about 105gbp. Stay tuned for an in-depth video review as soon as i get my hands on this baby

[Psi]

That is seriously good value again from a top Indian bat maker. Obviously helps when you can avoid postage /taxes

[Psi]

What causes that kind of discolouration at the edges? Haven't seen that too often.

[Mfarank]

What causes that kind of discolouration at the edges? Haven't seen that too often.

I have no idea. frost or weather fluctuation is my best guess

[Tom]

Is the circled (3) on the willow cleft the actual, initial, grade?

[Bats_Entertainment]

Looks more like a G3?

[Mfarank]

Is the circled (3) on the willow cleft the actual, initial, grade?

No thats more like a serial number. As he showed me 5 clefts he wrote the weight of each cleft and numbered them with a pencil for me to make the selection easier

[Yorkershire]

Should have just bought a Mythos 606. I'm sure it would have had better grains than that.

Could have shaped the handle yourself afterwards yourself.

[Mfarank]

Should have just bought a Mythos 606. I'm sure it would have had better grains than that.

Could have shaped the handle yourself afterwards yourself.

A) mythos is a mid sweetspot bat which really doesn't work for me
B) I really wanted the Kaha shape. If there was one available in the weight i wanted, I wouldv gone for it
C) not easy to source a good handpicked GM here in the UAE. Local stores have a few GMs but they all have the life pressed out of them and are overpriced.
D) part of the whole experience with RS is getting to choose your own cleft and being a part of the manufacturing process, having control of all aspects and getting the geek on

[Yorkershire]

Fair enough, but what about the new siren shape. I am sure someone on here would have sold you one at a good price.

Have Noir at the moment, had a Mythos as well but had to go due to the boss. Really intrigued with the Siren shape for next season...

[Mfarank]

Fair enough, but what about the new siren shape. I am sure someone on here would have sold you one at a good price.

Have Noir at the moment, had a Mythos as well but had to go due to the boss. Really intrigued with the Siren shape for next season...

Really like the siren shape. Not a fan of Noir. Toe is too thin from the edges for my liking. But as i said. Kaha has been my favorite GM shape for the last few years and its a shame they decided not to continue it.

[Mfarank]

So the bat has finally arrived and i love it!
Did all the measurements and here they are:
Edge Size: 38mm
Spine height: 67mm
Shoulders: 18mm
Toe edge: 26mm
Toe center: 34mm
Blade length: 525mm
Handle length: 325mm
Concaving: 1-2mm
Dead weight: 1198g (2lb10.5oz)

i think RS have done really well to keep it as close as possible to the Kaha shape. The press is identical to the last bat i got minus the hardness due to the butterfly stain. The pickup of this doesn't feel too much lighter than the deadweight. Probably feels like a 2.9 or 2.9-1/2
Pings crazy from just under the sticker allthe way down to the toe. Can't wait to knock it in and take it to the nets.

[bigblue365]

Apart from the discoloration bat looks good. Enjoy playing with it!!!

[LBWCandidate]

Great looking bat. Customer service from RS is top-notch. I was at factory recently on my trip to India and it was a treat. They manufacture bats and softs for so many top brands in UK/India but not get due credit.