Topic: SS Sharpie Special bat - Shai Hope (Read 7614 times)

Chad · « **on:** December 17, 2020, 09:05:09 PM »

Hope you're not all sick of these... But purchased this alongside the Kahuna. I was told that this was a legitimate source - I certainly think Shai Hope could score a very pretty 30 with this before giving it away!

Few things to note is that SS seem to do a lot of narrowing these days. I measured my old one, which was around 107mm in width front and back. This one is 107mm in the front and less than 104mm in the back, hence the slope. This seems to be the norm these days with a lot of bats - in order to make most of the bats sold look much bigger for their weight.

Specs

Weight: around 2lb 9.5oz
Handle: Round, pretty thin
Edges - 37mm
Spine - 60mm
Edge at shoulder - 14mm
Spine leading into handle - 36mm
Toe edge - 22mm
Toe centre - 25mm

Do I think it's a genuine one? I'm a bit split - I trust the person that sourced it for me, but really, the sharpie just doesn't look right, and the toe is far too well finished for one of the usual sharpie'd bats, and also, it's a 5 star model, not a 7 star. As I said, Shai Hope could definitely score plenty of pretty cover drives with this, but just about any bat that felt right for him could probably do the same. Pressing wise, this one is quite a nice firm feel, there are some seam marks, but definitely feels like it's almost ready to use. Specs wise, it really isn't much to write home, it's a good size, but not the low density that you expect from players bats.

csnew · « **Reply #1 on:** December 17, 2020, 09:34:18 PM »

Nice stick that - thought the actual pro SS bats have a unfinished/rough toe

brokenbat · « **Reply #2 on:** December 18, 2020, 09:39:43 AM »

Quote from: DorsetDan on December 18, 2020, 09:23:26 AM

Why would anyone be bothered if the back edge is narrowed?

Because that�s the effective width of the bat. You�re shrinking the sweet spot. Have spoken to a few reputable bat makers and they�ve all verified this.

Gurujames · « **Reply #3 on:** December 18, 2020, 09:52:59 AM »

Agree. Cant see it having a great effect on weight either.

LEACHY48 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 18, 2020, 10:01:20 AM »

Quote from: brokenbat on December 18, 2020, 09:39:43 AM

Because that�s the effective width of the bat. You�re shrinking the sweet spot. Have spoken to a few reputable bat makers and they�ve all verified this.

How are you shrinking the sweet spot?

In no bat ever has the sweet spot extended to the edge, surely by reducing the back edge (if it really has any effect at all) all you�re doing is removing performance from the edge.

Again I will use the example of mainstream brand�s shapes. There have been at least 3 or 4 shapes that have a scoop out of the edge, right in the swell, (think GN nemesis) and that has not shrunk the sweet spot, and is in effect the same thing as tilting the edges.

Just as a note, I don�t narrow my bats, and don�t think it�s a necessary practice, but I just don�t get the furore around it, it seems ridiculous.

LEACHY48 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 18, 2020, 10:02:10 AM »

P.s. I think it looks a lovely bat Chad!

brokenbat · « **Reply #6 on:** December 18, 2020, 10:32:36 AM »

Quote from: LEACHY48 on December 18, 2020, 10:01:20 AM

How are you shrinking the sweet spot?

In no bat ever has the sweet spot extended to the edge, surely by reducing the back edge (if it really has any effect at all) all you�re doing is removing performance from the edge.

Again I will use the example of mainstream brand�s shapes. There have been at least 3 or 4 shapes that have a scoop out of the edge, right in the swell, (think GN nemesis) and that has not shrunk the sweet spot, and is in effect the same thing as tilting the edges.

Just as a note, I don�t narrow my bats, and don�t think it�s a necessary practice, but I just don�t get the furore around it, it seems ridiculous.

Don�t think the scoop example is apt here, since we�re discussing bat width, not shape.
The first question is - does a narrower bat have a narrower hitting area? Obviously everyone will agree that it does (like in a middling bat). Then the next question is, in a bat where the back is narrower than the front... what is the �effective� width? I believe this is where people will debate. Since you make bats, perhaps you could experiment with the most extreme form of back narrowing - and create a triangular bat, with front width of 108mm and a back width of just 1mm! Would be interesting..

procricket · « **Reply #7 on:** December 18, 2020, 10:41:40 AM »

Don't think calling an edge the hitting zone is very apt!

A cm here or there changes nothing 1mm over the whole bat is 1oz it not going to effect performance at all.

Chad love the bat mate great shape and good timber

LEACHY48 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 18, 2020, 11:11:30 AM »

Quote from: brokenbat on December 18, 2020, 10:32:36 AM

Don�t think the scoop example is apt here, since we�re discussing bat width, not shape.
The first question is - does a narrower bat have a narrower hitting area? Obviously everyone will agree that it does (like in a middling bat). Then the next question is, in a bat where the back is narrower than the front... what is the �effective� width? I believe this is where people will debate. Since you make bats, perhaps you could experiment with the most extreme form of back narrowing - and create a triangular bat, with front width of 108mm and a back width of just 1mm! Would be interesting..

By scoops, I meant extremely concaved areas on the edge that would have the same effect as narrowing would by reducing the mass of wood behind the edges. it would take the bat closer to the triangle that you mentioned. It really isn�t very different to concaving a bat imo, especially if the level has been taken down below the edge peak. GN omega was a prime example of this debate really, it has square ish edges (as square as a handmade bat can be) but was designed to have a long thin spine with minimal wood elsewhere. This would have a very similar effect on �effective� width, because you�re probably getting the same amount of wood behind the edges or hitting zone in either case.

I also think taking it to the extreme of 108mm on the front and 1mm on the back would create longevity issues as the edges would be so thin and acute, also you�d get handle issues due to twist.

I think that 1-3 mm difference (.5-1.5mm per edge) is going to be totally negligible and unless you measured it you�d have no idea.

As with anything, if you take it to the extreme it will have its trade offs, short blade - long handle bats pick up poorly when taken to the extreme, race cars drive poorly on the road because they are optimised for track usage.

I will be genuinely astounded if anyone can notice a difference in the performance or longevity of their bat if the back was 3mm narrower than the front

But once again, I see no reason for it to happen and if the customer finds out and isn�t happy then they should get in touch with the retailer and work out a solution - obviously in this case it�s very tough to do so.

Tom · « **Reply #9 on:** December 18, 2020, 11:42:22 AM »

Give it a few years and the reputable batmakers will be introducing their own 'power-edge' (or whatever we're going to call it) profile.

LEACHY48 · « **Reply #10 on:** December 18, 2020, 11:45:52 AM »

Quote from: Tom on December 18, 2020, 11:42:22 AM

Give it a few years and the reputable batmakers will be introducing their own 'power-edge' (or whatever we're going to call it) profile.

Agreed - I really don�t see a huge issue with it.

e4sby · « **Reply #11 on:** December 18, 2020, 12:11:59 PM »

Quote from: procricket on December 18, 2020, 10:41:40 AM

Don't think calling an edge the hitting zone is very apt!

A cm here or there changes nothing 1cm over the whole bat is 1oz it not going to effect performance at all.

Chad love the bat mate great shape and good timber

Think David has got his millimetres mixed up with his centimetres...

wasted_talent · « **Reply #12 on:** December 18, 2020, 12:20:06 PM »

I'd doubt the authencity of this one. The toe finish (as mentioned by someone else) on SS Players bat are meant to be roughly finished off. Also looks like this sharpie is a little different then the others. lol

Tbh, aint it all a marketing ploy anyhow

Chad · « **Reply #13 on:** December 18, 2020, 07:22:37 PM »

Quote from: csnew on December 17, 2020, 09:34:18 PM

Nice stick that - thought the actual pro SS bats have a unfinished/rough toe

Yup, that's what I thought! I'll probably be steering clear from any sharpie'd SS bats - got enough good ones, and their lower priced ones offer great value.

Quote from: brokenbat on December 18, 2020, 09:39:43 AM

Because that�s the effective width of the bat. You�re shrinking the sweet spot. Have spoken to a few reputable bat makers and they�ve all verified this.

That's what I've heard too, albeit from a secondary source. I think the overall narrowing of a bat contributes more to making the striking zone narrower, but probably not enough for me to tell a difference unless it's obviously narrower. It's just a pet peeve to me narrowing the back > 2mm, it's quite noticeable when taking profile shots from a bird's eye view.

The main points/reasons I dislike about narrowing are: (I consider less than 105mm narrowing)

I'm not the most capable batsman, help me when I misjudge please.
It's deceptive, you get a bit of weight loss, but you get a boost in edge size and perceived density, thus boost in sales. The market's demand for low density monsters is to blame for this to be honest. (Yes, I am part of the problem)
Part of the first point - purely a mental thing too - never underestimate that

Reasons why I dislike considerable narrowing in the back edge (IE. > 4mm narrower)

Edges are vulnerable parts of the bat - having this kind of tilt in the shaping will only serve to make issues more likely.
Rounding edges like this is a pain.

Most people won't bother to measure width unless they think there's something seriously off about it. (At least, I don't think they do!) With the number of ropey bats I've seen, I measure most just to make sure it's nothing crazy.

Quote from: Tom on December 18, 2020, 11:42:22 AM

Give it a few years and the reputable batmakers will be introducing their own 'power-edge' (or whatever we're going to call it) profile.

That's the thing - market demands will just drive it that way... :/

Quote from: wasted_talent on December 18, 2020, 12:20:06 PM

I'd doubt the authencity of this one. The toe finish (as mentioned by someone else) on SS Players bat are meant to be roughly finished off. Also looks like this sharpie is a little different then the others. lol

Tbh, aint it all a marketing ploy anyhow

Yup, I doubt it too. It is a lovely stick, and paid what I would have paid at this grade regardless, but it's no better than my non-sharpied SS bats. Can't comment on the 'genuine' sharpied ones mind you

Author Topic: SS Sharpie Special bat - Shai Hope (Read 7614 times)

Chad

SS Sharpie Special bat - Shai Hope

csnew

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brokenbat

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Gurujames

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LEACHY48

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LEACHY48

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brokenbat

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procricket

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LEACHY48

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Tom

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LEACHY48

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e4sby

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wasted_talent

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Chad

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