Topic: B3 grading question (Read 6070 times)

Fishnchips08 · « **on:** October 17, 2021, 03:43:28 PM »

Hi guys new poster here, I think it's finally time for a new stick after my Adidas gave out. We have a few players at our club with B3's and I've always had an interest in picking one up. I found out you can get a Root profile, but I have a few questions. So if anyone could help out I'd appreciate it massivly. The main thing I'm not sure about is which grade to go for. the 1 stripe at �215 sounds like fantastic value, however, I'm not sure if I should go one further and shell out a little bit extra for a 2 stripe. I was looking at the grading on B3's website and they've mentioned that 2 stripes get "ping tested". Is the difference big between the 1 stripe and 2 stripe. I'm not super fussed on looks/aesthetics, I care more about the performance.

TLDR: is the extra money worth it to go from 1 stripe to 2 stripe.

Any help would be great.

brokenbat · « **Reply #1 on:** October 17, 2021, 05:25:55 PM »

Quote from: Fishnchips08 on October 17, 2021, 03:43:28 PM

Hi guys new poster here, I think it's finally time for a new stick after my Adidas gave out. We have a few players at our club with B3's and I've always had an interest in picking one up. I found out you can get a Root profile, but I have a few questions. So if anyone could help out I'd appreciate it massivly. The main thing I'm not sure about is which grade to go for. the 1 stripe at �215 sounds like fantastic value, however, I'm not sure if I should go one further and shell out a little bit extra for a 2 stripe. I was looking at the grading on B3's website and they've mentioned that 2 stripes get "ping tested". Is the difference big between the 1 stripe and 2 stripe. I'm not super fussed on looks/aesthetics, I care more about the performance.

TLDR: is the extra money worth it to go from 1 stripe to 2 stripe.

Any help would be great.

Not to state the obvious, but if you�re able to visit them, that would be ideal. Hand selecting is always best.

Secondly, there is no guarantee that a higher grade bat will ping better - this speaks more to the fact that a good maker (like b3) will make pinging bats, regardless of grade. Higher grades do look better, and plenty of people see it worth it to spend extra to go for higher grades.

B3 is awesome because they let you pick your clefts. So why don�t you see what 1 stripes they have, and if you see one that is relatively clean, with straight grains, that would prob be a very decent bat.

Fishnchips08 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 17, 2021, 05:40:12 PM »

Quote from: brokenbat on October 17, 2021, 05:25:55 PM

Not to state the obvious, but if you�re able to visit them, that would be ideal. Hand selecting is always best.

Secondly, there is no guarantee that a higher grade bat will ping better - this speaks more to the fact that a good maker (like b3) will make pinging bats, regardless of grade. Higher grades do look better, and plenty of people see it worth it to spend extra to go for higher grades.

B3 is awesome because they let you pick your clefts. So why don�t you see what 1 stripes they have, and if you see one that is relatively clean, with straight grains, that would prob be a very decent bat.

Thanks for the reply, unfortunately going to B3 isn't really an option for me. I was mainly asking because their grading page said 2 stripes were "ping tested". On being able pick the cleft is that an option online through the website?

SOULMAN1012 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 17, 2021, 07:48:05 PM »

I would like to think that all bats are �ping tested�. If you have your heart set on a B3 the choice of profiles etc is vast as are colour of stickers etc.

If you want a custom made, choice of clefts and guarantee that even the entry level grades are ping tested than a few other small bat makers and sponsors could be worth a look mate.

jonny77 · « **Reply #4 on:** October 17, 2021, 08:03:14 PM »

Pretty sure B3 will ping test all bats regardless of Grade, as I do with every bat i make. As @SOULMAN1012 said, lots of us smaller batmakers and many of the larger ones provide choice of clefts etc too. But the bottom line is no batmaker or brand should be selling bats which don't ping, but all will offer different levels of customisation and personal service. So it's about finding the right one for you.

e4sby · « **Reply #5 on:** October 18, 2021, 08:07:37 AM »

Quote from: SOULMAN1012 on October 17, 2021, 07:48:05 PM

I would like to think that all bats are �ping tested�. If you have your heart set on a B3 the choice of profiles etc is vast as are colour of stickers etc.

If you want a custom made, choice of clefts and guarantee that even the entry level grades are ping tested than a few other small bat makers and sponsors could be worth a look mate.

Wouldn't B3 have a larger selection of clefts? I'm pretty sure they will send photos of clefts on request. Personally can highly recommend B3 and never had a bad un from them, they churn out some very decent shapes as well!

jonny77 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 18, 2021, 09:22:12 AM »

Quote from: e4sby on October 18, 2021, 08:07:37 AM

Wouldn't B3 have a larger selection of clefts? I'm pretty sure they will send photos of clefts on request. Personally can highly recommend B3 and never had a bad un from them, they churn out some very decent shapes as well!

I think @SOULMAN1012 meant if youbexit pictures sending etc. I'm pretty sure B3 do this too, but i know not all makers do as it can be very time consuming only for a customer to not place an order (lots of people like looking at cleft/bat pictures without really being at the buying stage).

SOULMAN1012 · « **Reply #7 on:** October 18, 2021, 09:32:38 AM »

Quote from: e4sby on October 18, 2021, 08:07:37 AM

Wouldn't B3 have a larger selection of clefts? I'm pretty sure they will send photos of clefts on request. Personally can highly recommend B3 and never had a bad un from them, they churn out some very decent shapes as well!

I was in no way being negative about B3 and indeed they will no doubt have hundreds of clefts at anyone time. I have no idea if they have the capacity or the desire to send cleft pics to everyone enquiry they get but I would also bet that away from the Forum they may not get lots of requests for cleft pics etc and customers are happy to revive what the guys there deem the best option.
I was only picking up on the fact that there website seems to state that 2 Stripe and upwards are �ping tested� from what the OP stated

Fishnchips08 · « **Reply #8 on:** October 18, 2021, 02:46:37 PM »

Quote from: SOULMAN1012 on October 18, 2021, 09:32:38 AM

I was in no way being negative about B3 and indeed they will no doubt have hundreds of clefts at anyone time. I have no idea if they have the capacity or the desire to send cleft pics to everyone enquiry they get but I would also bet that away from the Forum they may not get lots of requests for cleft pics etc and customers are happy to revive what the guys there deem the best option.
I was only picking up on the fact that there website seems to state that 2 Stripe and upwards are �ping tested� from what the OP stated

This was my only real question tbh, I've had some fantastic grade 3 bats. I was just wondering if people think it's worth the extra money to go from 1 stripe to 2.

jonny77 · « **Reply #9 on:** October 18, 2021, 03:06:50 PM »

I personally feel it comes down to budget and what you want from a bat. This is what i advise customers unsure on what grade to go for....

If you can afford it and like cleaner looking willow, then go for the highest Grade you can.

If the odd small blemish doesn't matter as much to you and its more about budget, then go with the lower grade. You should find if pressed correctly (which I've no doubt all B3's are), that there is little/any difference in performance.

bigboss · « **Reply #10 on:** December 04, 2021, 10:20:57 PM »

I'm late in answering this, but it may help other readers in the future. I visited B3 few weeks ago, checked out their factory, selected sublime series and decided on 3 stripes. I then paid for the bat and left. Couple of days later, they sent me photos of couple of clefts. I rejected both. After a week, they sent me pictures of couple more clefts which I again rejected. Nothing wrong with them.....I'm just too fussy. Couple of weeks later, they sent me pics of 3 clefts. I chose one of them. What they said was, depending on the profile and weight I choose, the bat maker will select the ideal clefts (density and cleft weight etc.) and give me options.

After I selected the cleft, they took a week to make the bat and poster it to me. I'm very happy with the bat. The ping is amazing!!

richyreed · « **Reply #11 on:** December 05, 2021, 05:25:21 PM »

I believe B3 offer a free return if you are not happy with the bat. As other posters have mentioned, they press bats very well regardless of the grade of the willow so I'm sure it won't be an issue.

The guys there are very honest - I wouldn't worry about ordering from them!

https://mobile.twitter.com/b3cricket/status/1055493473569292289

AJ2014 · « **Reply #12 on:** December 05, 2021, 06:17:09 PM »

I don't worry about grading any more! It's all about shape that suits a player and pressing! Johnny, Soulman and Northern, Monkeys bats as good as any other bat maker.

jamielsn15 · « **Reply #13 on:** December 06, 2021, 06:34:46 AM »

I've had a few B3s and got a few guys at our club on them aswell. The service is outstanding. Tell them what you want and you'll get as a previous post said, photos of clefts, prompt answers to any questions, etc.
I've had 3 and 2 stripe B3s and by far the best I have is a 2 stripe which has been my match bat for 6 years now. Its not a looker but pings better than any I've had. It's got 5 grains, is heavier than I thought I wanted (2.11 I always previously only went 2.

and the middle is higher than I thought I needed. I picked it up off the rack and it just felt right. There's no substitute for doing that.

If you can't get there, as you say, speak with them about what you use. It may be that the Root shape doesn't suit you. I've picked up some of their Root bats at different weights and found them all to be quite bottom heavy so I'd definitely recommend discussing with them your current fav bat and where it's middle is. They'll recommend an appropriate shape...

Author Topic: B3 grading question (Read 6070 times)

Fishnchips08

B3 grading question

brokenbat

Re: B3 grading question

Fishnchips08

Re: B3 grading question

SOULMAN1012

Re: B3 grading question

jonny77

Re: B3 grading question

e4sby

Re: B3 grading question

jonny77

Re: B3 grading question

SOULMAN1012

Re: B3 grading question

Fishnchips08

Re: B3 grading question

jonny77

Re: B3 grading question

bigboss

Re: B3 grading question

richyreed

Re: B3 grading question

AJ2014

Re: B3 grading question

jamielsn15

Re: B3 grading question