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[Mfarank]

So take this with a grain of salt guys. There is a cricket group on Facebook where people and different companies discuss cricket gear. Think of it as CBF but on FB. So a couple of guys who run high profile cricket brands have accused GM of selling Serbian Willow bats marked as english willow bats. Offcourse there wasnt any evidence provided so it is mere speculation and accusation at this point. Maybe some of the forum members who have visited the Nottingham factory or Mr. @Edward Lowy himself could take a few minutes to clarify on this. Since you know most of us aren't exactly doing anything. It would also be a great way for those knowledgeable to help us identify serbian willow and how to tell it apart from English Willow. Sharing a few screenshots.



 

[alexhilly1492]

Having gone on the first tour to GM i would highly doubt this was happening, @Edward Lowy and the whole set up were completely transparent regarding the whole thing and even grow some of their own willow.

not wanting to comment absolutely but i would be shocked if this was the case

Also how have the got clefts not completed bats, as far as i am aware GM categorically do not supply clefts and worldwide production is in Nottingham?

[KettonJake]

Bats for the Indian market are made in India under license @alexhilly1492

The fact that they refer to spartan as a bat maker renders any other claim they are making null and void in my eyes

[Mfarank]

The comment in question said that he personally saw the clefts in Serbia labelled to be sent to the GM factory in Nottingham.

[SurreySam]

I very much doubt a UK manufacturer of that ilk, would risk their Brand reputation.  Perhaps the willow was for the miniature autograph bats they make/sell.

[WalkingWicket37]

A man on the internet said it, therefore it must be true..

Total non story as far as I'm concerned, other than some Muppet making slanderous claims

[alexhilly1492]

Bats for the Indian market are made in India under license @alexhilly1492

Fair enough wasn't aware of that!

The fact that they refer to spartan as a bat maker renders any other claim they are making null and void in my eyes

[Mfarank]

A man on the internet said it, therefore it must be true..

Total non story as far as I'm concerned, other than some Muppet making slanderous claims

Exactly. The only thing he had to say was that the clefts were labelled to be shipped to GM factory in Nottingham. It could be for the autograph bats, or the painted SD ones or the other 20 quid offerings they have for the kids. I have seen plenty of serbians in UAE lately including some original spartans labeled as top grade EW. To the naked eye they were easy to identify due to the faded grains and lots of them. A universal brand like GM wouldn't risk their reputation for cheap tricks like that.

[Tom]

There is certainly a lot more Serbian willow sold in cleft form than sold in bat form!

[Jimbo]

Aside the reputational damage this would do to GM, I don't believe a brand that big would risk the legal penalties that this would bring.

[A-Swing-And-A-Miss]

There is certainly a lot more Serbian willow sold in cleft form than sold in bat form!

How do bats made with Serbian willow typically differ to English willow in terms of looks, length of life, ping etc.?

[edge]

How do bats made with Serbian willow typically differ to English willow in terms of looks, length of life, ping etc.?

They can look noticeably different if they have heartwood in them, but if they're all sapwood you pretty much can't tell (I'm sure a genuine expert would have a better chance). In my experience Serbian pings lovely but is very brittle, which I know is why at least one established UK brand didn't buy any more after their first batch.

Is there any more to this than some goon on Facebook throwing around crap and hoping something sticks?

[Mfarank]

All of these clefts are apparently serbian. OP says the only giveaway is the slightly faded grains. Gives them a slightly plasticky look.

[Six Sixes Cricket]

Kookaburra have been selling European willow bats, in junior form. Decent grains

[Mfarank]

Kookaburra have been selling European willow bats, in junior form. Decent grains

Do they lie about it and say its EW?