Print

[SillyShilly]

Kettle Drum was sooooooooo 2009. 2010 is all about the xylophone man!
I would avoid - (when being ultra fussy)
1. Anything less than 6 grains ( because I'm a grain tart!)
2. Big stains in the middle of the bat (regardless of the supposed benefits/drawbacks etc)
3. Too much speck in the grains ( makes me think it has grown poorly or in the wrong soil etc)
4. Evidence of knots (again, poorly maintained tree's)

I've got a bat i'm making at the moment that has a blue stain (iron from the soil) - I like to see this, but im sure others will dislike it.

What would you avoid when looking at willow?

[Jamieh]

I'm quite easy to please really...

I have in the past always looked for the straightest grains I can find, and no more than 8 or 9 grains. I've never gone for more than that as I tend to go at the ball quite hard, and make a lot more use of my inside edge than I probably should, and therefore I've always wanted a bat that will last. In my head I've always thought of more grains equalling a shorter life expectency (possibly better to burn out than fade away though??) but increased short term performance. Having said that I probably wanted a bat to last in the past as I couldn't afford to keep replacing them which is not so much of a concern now.

Guess to cut a long story short, it's so personal, no right answer, however I wonder if there are certains things that really make a bat stand out or things to avoid at all costs.

To be honest I've always avoided any stains in the past

[SillyShilly]

Ps - read the blog - good luck with the run.....i have a couple friends running (one in a massive costume, brave girl!)

[quick-keep]

As long as it feels right and pings well, then i'm happy.

[Huckster]

Didn't pros use to look for butterfly stains on the face?

[procricket]

its funny how we all look for different things i remember a bat i got had a great big dead not on the back but my god it was a gun and i have even used a kashmir willow bat that went like a rocket only to last 3 weeks and used a Laver that was only ok and a Laver that was a gun .

now i go for in this order

1.good rebound quality's
2.good pick up
3.grains 8-10
4.no blemishes at all on the strike area

if it ticks the 4 it becomes a part of my select 4 bats i carry at all times.

[GJ]

I'm not really bothered by butterfly stains, adds a bit of character to the bat!
My bat has one that sits right where the middle is and performs very well. You generally get bargains with bats with butterfly stains just due to its looks.

[SAF Bats]

Guys anyone know what a butterfly stain might give you in terms of performance?

[Colesy]

I would've thought you would have....

[SAF Bats]

I would've thought you would have....

I have my opinion just opening the question up!

[Colesy]

I have no idea, from what I've heard it makes that area of wood stronger....

[Tumo]

I was under the same impressions as you Colesy!

[Buzz]

I think they frequently give you slightly less feel on as you hit the ball, but send the ball further.

[SillyShilly]

I heard a rumour that if you have a butterfly stain just below the stickers (so, towards the top of the bat) and another stain on the toe of the bat then the area between these two stains will often be more responsive and a little pingier - plus, having a stain/graping on the toe will harden the toe area........but this could all be wrong, just something i heard

[SAF Bats]

Stiffer and stronger so my personal opinion is I like them but not to everyones taste