Agree John
@Red Ink Cricket and wasn't suggesting to go from 2lbs 8oz to 2lbs 13oz for example. As i said, i think an Oz or so is nothing really when taking everything into account. My main point was some 2lbs 9oz bats will pick up like dogs, some 2lbs 10oz + bats will pick up beautifully and most people could use them but won't as they're not their exact weight requirement. Personally i don't subscribe to the theory that going slightly heavier or lighter will be the main issue if people aren't scoring runs, timing the ball or struggling with certain shots. I think the extra oz is then sitting somewhere between the ears! 😆 To bat for 50 overs with an extra oz in a bat wouldn't fatigue anyone really I wouldn't have thought. But obviously the more you add the more likely that becomes.
Everyone seems fixated with big bats at light weights. So narrowing, xlite grips, super skinny handles, thin shoulders/splice area are more and more common to get to that, but imo this is detrimental to the bat overall in feel, performance and longevity.
But I think many players now would rather have a big bat with skinny handle etc which picks up like a dog as long as its 2lbs 8oz, over a smaller one or one at the same size but 2lbs 10oz with a thicker handle which picks up much better. They'd then probably have to add an extra grip to thicken the handle and make it 2lbs 10oz anyway! 😂
That said, I'd always give a customer the weight they request. I might on occasion inform them as I'm shaping it that i think its where it needs to be and confirm they're happy with an extra oz, but if not l'll take it to specified weight obviously.
At the end of the day they're using it and I want them to be 100% happy with what i provide, regardless of my viewpoint.