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[Jamieh]

Hi Guys,

Was in Newbery's shop in Hove the other day and was listening to one of the old boys (a brilliant salesman!) in the shop selling a bat to a couple of guys, and one of the guys picks up a bat which must have had a few small butterfly stains (I assume that's what they were, but didn't see the actual bat he was talking about) and he said he didn't want it becuase of them.

So the old boy at newbery said "bats are like fruit, it's like how golden delicious apples with the small brown spots are the juiciest ones. Bats are the same, the ones with little marks in the grains are belters" or words to that affect.

So... was this just a brilliant sales line or is there truth to it? Are bats with little spots or butterfly stains in the grain gonna be belters? I guess these little stains may be harder and possibly produce more rebound, but not sure, so thought I'd ask! My gut feeling is yes, but depends on if you prefer a pretty bat to a functional bat? Guess this is aimed at the norbs, talisman, matts of the forum, but any thoughts welcome!

[Howzat]

From experience I'd say truth, the bat I have finished had a huge butterfly stain right in the middle and boy does that ping better than anything I've used before.

[Talisman]

Don't ask Norb because despite all the money he spent buying the title of greatest living bat maker he does not know what a Butterfly stain is!!!

A Butterfly stain will make the area harder without increasing the weight so they are sought after if the stain is in the toe or shoulder of the bat. As for rebound, I've found no improvement in them. The only bat maker I know that really does produce a bat with them in is Warsop and they would be the best people to speak to. Sales talk is not to be totally trusted, not to say that a clean face plays better than a clean or vice versa but if you have a product you need to sell that is exactly what you will do. Newbery have the "Ugly Bin" which will contain many stained bats.

[quick-keep]

My warsop has a little brown line (it look like a tiny crack but isn't) on each grain. The bat goes like concord

[Str8bat]

2 of the best bats I ever owned had butterfly stains. But also one which didn't have great rebound. So not sure if its universally true, but generally I do like bats with a stain ... preferably in the top half

[SAF Bats]

ahem [clears throat] I believe a butterfly stain is when the direction and slow down of growth  occurs as the roots move into stoney areas!  Which checks the flow of sap which then, interacting with the resultant acidity, creates and causes a stainy colouring. The resulting stain gives a delicate marking akin to the subtle colours of a King George Butterfly  

Personal opinion is that I like them! 

[FattusCattus]

Ahh, but Noblett - what do they sound like?

(Been up the post office yet?)

[SillyShilly]

Whats the difference between stains and graping then?
With regards to Norb's kettle drum analogy, i think we need to expand the range of musical instruments - perhaps an introduction of a xylophone style set-up - imagine a nomal xylophone with bats instead of small wooden blocks, with the top end note being the belter and the low end being kashmir dud.......i think i'm on to something here!!!!

[Talisman]

You sure are, it's called a Xylophone......

[SillyShilly]

Back to the drawing board......

[SAF Bats]

Ahh, but Noblett - what do they sound like?

(Been up the post office yet?)

Nope mate if I get a spare minute at the moment I call Talisman and harass him... Putting a reminder in for tomorrow if I get five.

Whats the difference between stains and graping then?
With regards to Norb's kettle drum analogy, i think we need to expand the range of musical instruments - perhaps an introduction of a xylophone style set-up - imagine a nomal xylophone with bats instead of small wooden blocks, with the top end note being the belter and the low end being kashmir dud.......i think i'm on to something here!!!!

hmmmm not sure but Stylophone might work!!!!

[Talisman]

Can you tell what it is yet!!!

[Jamieh]

Thanks for the comments guys, to change the it slightly then... without stating the obvious, what would you try to avoid if you saw in a bit of willow?

Think I must have missed the kettle drum analogy, but the bat xylophone sounds awesome!

[Talisman]

Over pressing.

[Buzz]

The graping or a butterflystain on a bat, is up to personal preference, personally I like them for two reasons, firstly because they can improve performance (but not always) and secondly because frequently you can get a bargain of a bat that has one in because it has been down graded.

But as the guys say, it is personal preference, always check it out with a mallet first.