Best is hard. But Tim Keeley is the most influential batmaker in the World, interesting that a number of these other names banded about as best batmakers are shaping bats Tim presses.
Do take the time to visit the factory and see them at work before he retires.
Wrote this in a post a couple of years back:
"What makes a Tim Keeley bat special? Well, I'm a firm believer that there's not that much between top-level batmakers. They all use the same willow and handle - and the MCC have limited any real innovation so is the average Tim Keeley bat significantly better than anyone else's? Probably not. The bats Tim and Nick make are wonderfully consistent and well pressed, but they are not alone in this.
What does set the Tim (and his brother) apart though is their reputation. And that's a reputation he thoroughly, thoroughly deserves.
Tim has been making bats by CNC since the 90s, pretty much the same technology that GM launched 10 years later and now claim make them the World's most advanced batmakers. First short blade, long handle cricket bat? Tim Keeley, with the Newbery Uzi. It's taken over 10 years for other brands to cotton on with every brand now offering one in their range. First carbon handle cricket bat? Again. Tim Keeley. Adjustable counterbalanced handles? Yep, him too.
Tim is one of the last remaining batmakers of the John Newbery dynasty, one of perhaps a couple remaining now Millichamp has stopped making. Newbery has done more for cricket bat design than anyone in the past 100 years. The Scoop was his design, as was the Excalibur. These are 2 of the most iconic designs ever to have graced the field. Tim trained directly under his stewardship.
Keeley fully deserves his reputation and the plaudits, and the industry widely recognises this too. When a young batmaker needs help starting out, who is the first to lend a hand? Who do the Indian batmakers visit for advice on shaping and finishing? He's the most humble, helpful, artisan you could hope to meet.
It's possible to visit the Keeley factory and see them in action and I can't recommend it enough."
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Topic: The Best Batmaker in the UK (Read 27100 times)