Topic: Butterfly Willow vs Grade 3 (Read 4908 times)

bluex57 · « **on:** September 12, 2020, 12:39:57 PM »

Hi

I have searched quite a bit but haven't seen any discussions around comparing butterfly willow with a standard grade 3 bat.

The reason I am looking for this comparison is because they fall under the same price bucket.

I currently have a Keeley grade 3 which is my favourite in my collection and it pings even better than a Kippax grade 1+ I have.

I am looking into buying a butterfly willow bat but thinking if it is worth investing in one or should I stick with a grade 3 instead?

1) What would you pick and why? We can ignore the looks and grains because i am only thinking of performance here.

2) Would you pick a cleft with butterfly stain in the playing area or would you prefer the playing area to be clean?

Looking to hear from you guys!

Jimbo · « **Reply #1 on:** September 12, 2020, 12:45:16 PM »

Grading is, generally speaking, a cosmetic scale and not based on performance. No reason a butterfly couldn't be an absolute gun. Believe the stained area will be harder but I've heard quite a few people say that the stained area of the face went even better than the clean willow.

Gurujames · « **Reply #2 on:** September 12, 2020, 12:48:13 PM »

Personally I would prefer a butterfly purely based on the fact that I like the look. In my experience of bats the Grade has no relation to its performance.
I like the stain smack in the middle of the playing area.
In my opinion this is a very subjective area and much will come down to personal preference rather than hard facts.

Buzz · « **Reply #3 on:** September 12, 2020, 06:03:24 PM »

Butterfly every single time.
If you can get a good one with a clean face.

Or

It is always best to choose it in person though to test it and sometimes they need some extra oil to help play them in.

When choosing always look for the same things you want for a top grade bat. Well pressed, evenly spaced grains and a well balanced bat.

My two are guns.

SOULMAN1012 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 12, 2020, 06:21:16 PM »

Personally Iv always found Butterly bats to perform very nicely, if the stain is in the playing area it is a bit harder than a sapwood blade but performance is not worse but it does sound a bit firmer until it�s really played in.

I have this one available that Iv made if you want to try a Butterly cleft.
As you can see the stain is outside the main playing area and it�s a lovely bat

Neon Cricket · « **Reply #5 on:** September 13, 2020, 08:00:51 AM »

Having had quite a few G3 and Butterfly bats, I'd say it's pretty much negligible - both perform equally as well imo (I'm a big advocate of performance being down to the batmaker's ability as opposed to the grade of willow, I've used a G2 myself all season when I've had the choice of 150 odd bats so happily put my money where my mouth is etc...!)

G3s tend to look nicer, however like @Buzz says if you get a clean butterfly then they're pretty much unbeatable value wise.

bluex57 · « **Reply #6 on:** September 14, 2020, 11:16:35 AM »

Thanks everyone for the replies. Really appreciate it.

Thanks Soulman for the offer but unfortunately I am already in conversation with RS so can't take you up on your offer. Sorry.

They have given me an option to choose from the following 4 clefts:

Cleft 1:
https://ibb.co/RSTdfsY

Cleft 2:
https://ibb.co/p0cPY4P

Cleft 3:
https://ibb.co/JtSW2Gm

Cleft 4:
https://ibb.co/G5FTnnk

Will you guys be able to help me choose please?

Thanks

Jimbo · « **Reply #7 on:** September 14, 2020, 11:27:16 AM »

Cleft 3 for me.

Buzz · « **Reply #8 on:** September 14, 2020, 11:34:44 AM »

Probably cleft 2 for me.

Jlscarroll17 · « **Reply #9 on:** September 14, 2020, 12:31:58 PM »

Cleft 2 for me, but cleft 3 is a very close second

SOULMAN1012 · « **Reply #10 on:** September 14, 2020, 12:51:37 PM »

Cleft 1 for me as from that image it looks like butterfly is more towards the edge and playing area looks like sapwood

brokenbat · « **Reply #11 on:** September 14, 2020, 03:08:38 PM »

Quote from: SOULMAN1012 on September 14, 2020, 12:51:37 PM

Cleft 1 for me as from that image it looks like butterfly is more towards the edge and playing area looks like sapwood

Isn�t the whole point to get the butterfly in the playing area (crispier ping)?

Mfarank · « **Reply #12 on:** September 14, 2020, 05:08:27 PM »

Cleft 3 for me

bluex57 · « **Reply #13 on:** September 14, 2020, 05:20:23 PM »

Quote from: brokenbat on September 14, 2020, 03:08:38 PM

Isn�t the whole point to get the butterfly in the playing area (crispier ping)?

That's what i thought as well. If you want more sapwood than why go for a butterfly anyway?

Thanks for your response guys.

Looks like it is either 2 or 3. Depending on which one is lighter, i'll pick that one.

bigblue365 · « **Reply #14 on:** September 14, 2020, 07:07:30 PM »

I would choose cleft 2.

Poll

What would you pick?

Author Topic: Butterfly Willow vs Grade 3 (Read 4908 times)

bluex57

Butterfly Willow vs Grade 3

Jimbo

Re: Butterfly Willow vs Grade 3

Gurujames

Re: Butterfly Willow vs Grade 3

Buzz

Re: Butterfly Willow vs Grade 3

SOULMAN1012

Re: Butterfly Willow vs Grade 3

Neon Cricket

Re: Butterfly Willow vs Grade 3

bluex57

Re: Butterfly Willow vs Grade 3

Jimbo

Re: Butterfly Willow vs Grade 3

Buzz

Re: Butterfly Willow vs Grade 3

Jlscarroll17

Re: Butterfly Willow vs Grade 3

SOULMAN1012

Re: Butterfly Willow vs Grade 3

brokenbat

Re: Butterfly Willow vs Grade 3

Mfarank

Re: Butterfly Willow vs Grade 3

bluex57

Re: Butterfly Willow vs Grade 3

bigblue365

Re: Butterfly Willow vs Grade 3