@SOULMAN1012 Thanks mate.
Enjoyed these two a lot.
Good to hear you're getting back into it.
With regard to tips, id personally say:
draw on the edge profile that you want (either using a template or a series of measured dots connected), this will allow the profiles to be even and avoid lumpy edges.
have a shape in mind before you start
You can always take more off, but cant put it back on, so take your time trimming it down.
Dont get carried away with the drawknife, for example, I thin the toe first, then the shoulders, using my drawknife, but then i switch to a spokeshave and travisher to make sure i dont take too much off.
When sanding the back of the bat, if you are reliant on a random orbital sander, i personally only use it as much as i need to, as it creates lumps and leaves indents. I prefer to sand the back by hand as much as possible.
Other than that just enjoy the process and learn from the mistakes of previous attempts.