Andy all this detail you have calculated is fascinating to an analytical mind like mine, but real world, do you think it makes all that much difference? We see mass produced bats (made both here and Asia) which are most certainly not designed based on this theory and formulae yet still perform brilliantly. I don't doubt the validity of the research, nor the results and theories found therein, but have you found the real world improvement in performance to be such that genuine claims can be made?
I think those of us who are a bit world weary and sceptical about the latest claims made about the latest mass produced bats have come to the conclusion that actually, edge size, density, degree level physics research etc are far less important than having a bat that feels right when we pick it up. A bat that feels comfortable, a bat with no aspects with which we are unhappy. If that happens to be a bat with a modern shape, so be it. If it happens to be a bat steeped in tradition, so be it.
There are a number of things that help me. Understanding why bats perform and how, allows me to create shapes and have a good idea what makes them tick and what variations I can do with those shapes. It also gave me a better insight into willow and therefore the pressing of that willow. I didn't want to get into this and not really understand what was going on with the bat and why, it makes me feel great deal more comfortable with what I do.
The differences I think are based on translating that theoretical knowledge into those performance areas. By genuine claims I assume you mean some type of lab testing against other bats. In that case nope it hasn't been done, there has been no point do to this for 2 reasons. Since I've been doing this, I have never stated that any of the bats created are better by x% then anyone else's bat. That isn't what I do or why I do it, I'm not in a bun fight here with anyone, I respect all the guys that make there own. Secondly, as stated before I'm comfortable with the bat shapes produced and that makes it a lot easier to do my own thing, that is, the theoretical and translating that to the practical [making me a bit of geek but I dont mind that]
Ok Mr World Weary
, we are all skeptical it is in our nature with all those "to good to be true" claims. At the end of the day a lot this edge size, density, research is down to helping you make a decision based on what you like. I am funnily enough in agreement with you, the bat you use has to be right for you. Is that bat comfortable, yes, do I like the look of it ,does it make me feel confident, yes, finally, test it for performance. Tick all of those and you'll be very happy. Those things are what I aim to achieve based on knowing how to balance and press a shape that has been designed from theoretical principles
I really hope that made sense
Norbs