Decisions, decisions...
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billyb

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Decisions, decisions...
« on: June 05, 2022, 05:54:26 AM »

I'm making a pretty enormous change in my life very soon, and I've persuaded my wife that a new cricket bat would be a nice way to commemorate it. I will have to shift a couple of existing bats first, though!

I'm in the USA but I want to order from a smaller brand in the UK, which I hope means no VAT? I'll be getting an averagely priced G1 - no £650 bats here!

ANYWAY...
I'm weighing up:
World Class Willow (Orca Reserve)
Salix (Pod/AJK Marque or Players)
Hell4Leather (Fifty50 G1, I think)
RPC (Players/Elite) - I've had RPC before so really I'm after something different, but I could be persuaded.

I need a light bat - 2'7 to 2'9, and I'm a fairly traditional, boring batsman.
Thoughts and comments welcome! I think H4L are my current frontrunners, but I do really like WCW too.

What do you fine forumites think?
« Last Edit: June 05, 2022, 05:56:07 AM by billyb »
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Ayrtek Cricket

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Re: Decisions, decisions...
« Reply #1 on: June 05, 2022, 07:22:54 AM »

That’s correct in that you’ll save VAT so long as they are a VAT Reg business which I’d imagine all of the above are due to turnover.

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Kai

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Re: Decisions, decisions...
« Reply #2 on: June 05, 2022, 07:54:35 AM »

How about a Keeley or Scott Cricket Bats? Personally, I own a Keeley and they are fantastic bats, though the handles are too skinny for my liking. And Ive only heard good things about Scott Cricket Bats
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Bungle

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Re: Decisions, decisions...
« Reply #3 on: June 05, 2022, 09:55:03 AM »

I would add Scott to the mix, I don't know what sort of handpicking/custom work WCW do so if you're wanting something more custom then Scott Cricket would be an excellent place to start with.
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six and out

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Re: Decisions, decisions...
« Reply #4 on: June 05, 2022, 10:08:33 AM »

Along with all of the above (which are excellent options) I would add John at @Red Ink Cricket he can do you a custom made bat and always gets great reviews on here.
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Jimbo

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Re: Decisions, decisions...
« Reply #5 on: June 05, 2022, 10:56:02 AM »

Oxfordshire Cricket - @Northern monkey - is another great option. Scott, Red Ink, Oxfordshire will all make you an absolutely lovely bat and provide top customer service.
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jonny77

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Re: Decisions, decisions...
« Reply #6 on: June 05, 2022, 11:11:31 AM »

Thanks for the recommendations here guys. For me from the list above I'd personally go H4L and speak to them to get what you want.

I could be wrong but don't think the Orca Reserve is G1? You'll get a great bat from any on that list. Suppose it depends what you want. Slightly different styles in that list maybe, so go with what you like the look of most shape/style wise as all should be very well made and perform very well.
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Jimbo

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Re: Decisions, decisions...
« Reply #7 on: June 05, 2022, 11:23:37 AM »

I've got a couple of bats from H4L pressed clefts and both go very nicely. Certainly won't be disappointed with a bat from them.
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billyb

Re: Decisions, decisions...
« Reply #8 on: June 06, 2022, 04:53:24 AM »

Thank you all so much for the recommendations and feedback, I really appreciate it!

I've ruled WCW out: as cool as they are, I just don't have the budget to get a high-end stick from them.
I'd like a Keeley one day, but not this time!
I'm keen to support new forum brands, so I've taken a good look at Scott, Oxfordshire, Red Ink, Willow & Wand et al- all exceptional craftsmen at the top of their game.

On this occasion, I've narrowed it down to Rob Pack & H4L - I wish I had enough money to buy from everyone, but I don't. Salix miss out simply by not being a forum brand, but I love their willow, balance, and classy design.

So RPC V H4L...

I'm going to mull this over a bit more, but I think I'm going to go with Rob for largely sentimental reasons.
« Last Edit: June 06, 2022, 07:11:25 AM by billyb »
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Alvaro

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Re: Decisions, decisions...
« Reply #9 on: June 07, 2022, 12:48:42 PM »

From my experience H4L are streets ahead of RP in terms of feel and shapes.
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billyb

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Re: Decisions, decisions...
« Reply #10 on: June 07, 2022, 05:58:56 PM »

Ooh interesting. In what way?
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wilkie113

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Re: Decisions, decisions...
« Reply #11 on: June 07, 2022, 08:44:19 PM »

I own a Rob Pack bat and have owned H4L in the past albeit a long time ago.

You will not have any worries about buying from either. They both make absolutely fantastic bats. Having been to see Rob, he’s a fantastic bloke, also have met James but not at the H4L workshop. Also a fantastic bloke. After narrowing it down to those two, see which fits nicely within the budget you want to spent, as you will get a fantastic bat from either of those two.
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Chad

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Re: Decisions, decisions...
« Reply #12 on: June 08, 2022, 08:18:48 AM »

Been at both businesses numerous times, and own probably more of each than most people's collections. Rob, James and Matt are exceptional craftsmen, and very knowledgeable in batmaking. I've watched batmaking in both stables, James. (If I could get some time to edit the videos, I'd share!) I don't think you could go wrong on a RPC Players Grade or H4L G1. Personally, if I was going for something a little more traditional shaped, I'd probably go to RPC - especially if you're a fan of the old Millichamp styled shapes. H4L if I'm after something modern - they can produce pretty big volumed bats, but since you're after a 2lb 7oz - 2lb 9oz, it might not be quite to your. (For context, I'm currently using a 2.11 traditional styled bat from RPC in matches, felt incredible in the nets but not been scoring any runs, but down to batsman error rather than anything else :D)




What I'm currently using:





Rob's old Puma Ballistic shape (Was inspired by the JM Classic shape):






Rob's modern/classic blend:







Rob's take on a GM Watto Players (With hint of concaving):









James' take on an England International Player's bat. (Not sure if I can mention who's)





James' take on a JM Screaming Cat on steroids, with a round face press (Spine is approx 70mm):






H4L Monster Root (Cause who better than someone who had made some of Root's back in GM?):





James' take on the old Gray Nics Monster James Taylor (F18):





All of these are probably well above your weight range (Especially the H4Ls), but should give an idea of what you'd be getting.
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edge

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Re: Decisions, decisions...
« Reply #13 on: June 08, 2022, 08:28:41 AM »


This looks like a bit of me, very reminiscent of some of the great early 2000s Kook shapes!

Never laid hands on a Rob Pack, how are the handles? H4L the shapes and pressing are lovely but the skinny handles let them down for me.
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Chad

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Re: Decisions, decisions...
« Reply #14 on: June 08, 2022, 08:43:23 AM »

This looks like a bit of me, very reminiscent of some of the great early 2000s Kook shapes!

Never laid hands on a Rob Pack, how are the handles? H4L the shapes and pressing are lovely but the skinny handles let them down for me.


Yes - the Kookaburra Crown I believe it was that Rob mentioned as he was shaping this in front of me, think he bashed a fair few of these out back when he was working for Kook. I've found the handles to be a good thickness, and I think he has some thicker handles in so can always do that. The H4Ls I get don't tend to have skinny handles, but then again I don't shy away from heavier weights/getting them to keep the weight down, so that could be a factor!
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