Question (and apologies if I missed this in the thread
), but do you believe these were *genuine* 'Puma'? Or are they fake Puma with grain sheet?
I ask because a few years ago I decided to refurbish a Kooks Kahuna at the end of a season only to realize that it wasn't just a scuff sheet, but a scuff sheet *and* a grain sheet. The scuff sheet, strategic stickers and edge tape had disguised the presence of the grain sheet very well. Once removed there was a massive knot pretty covering about 20% of where the sweet spot was.
Once I could see this I immediately recognized the occasional hard plankiness I had felt - verified by bouncing a ball on the now dead spot.
It had been sold by a large sports retailer a few years before as a grade 3. (lesson learned - bespoke small batches since then)
Talking to a bat maker about this later, they said that it must have been a fake Kookaburra as Kooks would never have covered a performance affecting knot with a grain sheet and flogged it as their brand has too much to lose.
I remember thinking that the retailer was likely duped - as like Kooks they probably had too much to lose knowingly purchasing fakes.
However, your post now makes me wonder: Do any of the major brands actually engage in covering their willow with grain sheets?
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Topic: Puma fake grain sheet reveal (Read 3283 times)