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[Psi]

https://photos.app.goo.gl/vaUEVU5bbpn3vVvb9

Sold to me as English willow, but I think it's Kashmir. What do people think?

[jayralh]

Don't think that English willow

[Buzz]

Could be butterfly willow.
Could be kashmir

[KW9221]

Could it be European willow?

[Psi]

Maybe. Its not butterfly, I think. Will test the ping tonight. Seems very light weight and well balanced

[Psi]

So, I spoke to the manufacturer (not the seller) and turns out it is English willow nurtured in Kashmir. The usual ruse...

But, is this better than, or the same as, Kashmir willow? There are some old CBF threads on this, but people are not too certain there.

One thing though, it has the softest face of any new bat I've seen, even compared to high quality soft pressed Indian bats. Has nice ping but not exceptional, and very light weight. Will try in nets and see if it breaks.

[WalkingWicket37]

"English Willow nurtured in Kashmir" is a slightly more upmarket way of saying "Kashmir Willow"

[SouthpawMark]

"English Willow nurtured in Kashmir" is a slightly more upmarket way of saying "Kashmir Willow"

What absolute nonsense (Not your post).

[jayralh]

So, I spoke to the manufacturer (not the seller) and turns out it is English willow nurtured in Kashmir. The usual ruse...

But, is this better than, or the same as, Kashmir willow? There are some old CBF threads on this, but people are not too certain there.

One thing though, it has the softest face of any new bat I've seen, even compared to high quality soft pressed Indian bats. Has nice ping but not exceptional, and very light weight. Will try in nets and see if it breaks.

I have fallen for Nurtured in India Trap when I was new to proper cricket. I bought CJI made bat saying same off ebay for 40 quid. To be honest it felt very light and balanced plus i had good inning with it with some powerful hits. But when it comes to timing i did not feel any value in shots so i never used it after.
As you have bought it now i say use it at least in nets. I dont see any resale value in it.

[jimmysis]

Balsa Wood? 

[Komdotkom]

I would love to find a definitive way of identifying EW,KW and Serbian willow but most of what I've found is anecdotal for example - KW is heavier, KW has fainter grains, KW is a different colour, KW doesn't ping as well
All of these could just be natural variations in timber which was grown in England.
I'll post some pictures shortly of some examples.

[Churchy1989]

https://photos.app.goo.gl/vaUEVU5bbpn3vVvb9

Sold to me as English willow, but I think it's Kashmir. What do people think?

Maybe just return it for a refund?

[Psi]

No it's fine. It was very cheap, it hits the ball nicely and it's very well balanced. Returning it would probably be a nightmare because it's posted from India... I've left an eBay feedback saying it was not as described to warn other buyers.

[Psi]

I would love to find a definitive way of identifying EW,KW and Serbian willow but most of what I've found is anecdotal for example - KW is heavier, KW has fainter grains, KW is a different colour, KW doesn't ping as well
All of these could just be natural variations in timber which was grown in England.
I'll post some pictures shortly of some examples.

I'd like to see some photo examples. My bat follows these traits but it's very lightweight and pings quite well (not the best ever, but...)

[KettonJake]

I would love to find a definitive way of identifying EW,KW and Serbian willow but most of what I've found is anecdotal for example - KW is heavier, KW has fainter grains, KW is a different colour, KW doesn't ping as well
All of these could just be natural variations in timber which was grown in England.
I'll post some pictures shortly of some examples.

The main way to identify it is from the seller.

Reputable brands/shops don't sell Kashmir willow bats either at all or unless very clearly marked and labelled.

Buyer beware if you take a risk on an unknown seller/brand, especially if they make claims about English willow nurtured in India (EWNI) aka Kashmir willow. Or if they sell ludicrously low priced bats as English willow. To some degree or another they are all con men.