Print

[Paese]

I will add more detail later in terms of measurements. But wanted to get the pictures up.

Had no real plans to buy a new bat this season, planned to get current ones refurbished. But, you know how it goes.

Paul only lives round the corner from me, so nipped in a couple of times since the New Year and really enjoyed the time chatting to him about bats, playing, the industry etc. First time I went round this bat caught my eye, with the butterfly stain right across the middle, and I was pleasantly surprised when it was still there the following week when I returned. Since I had taken two current non-Aldred bats with me to get refurbished I was able to compare there and then, played around with them and honestly the pick up of the Aldred compared to them was way better, by some distance. I am a big believer in pickup over dead weight, and so didn't even check the dead weight until the end. Was surprised to learn this one came in at 2lb 13oz (in terms of dead weight this is easily the heaviest I have owned). I appreciate Paul's patience around this tbh, was very good when I then started debating even with myself whether I had taken the 'pick up over dead weight thing' too far. But I regret nothing, it feels great and taps up really well. As we know, Paul's handles can be incredibly thick. I like this, and in fact haven't had to tamper with this one in the same way I did other brands in the past.

Anyway, here's some pictures.

[MichaelM]

Thanks for sharing.
Always good to pickup and feel bats.

[alba caerulea]

Lovely looking bat I have to say. Ive been toying with the idea of an Aldred for a couple of years now but not getting the weight you ask for is a put off and I am at the opposite end of the country so cant visit

Do you think the dead weight will become a problem over a longer innings or does it feel like its higher up the bat like people are saying?

Id be interested to weigh an Aldred handle and a Keeley to see what the difference in weight is.

[Kulli]

Lovely looking bat I have to say. Ive been toying with the idea of an Aldred for a couple of years now but not getting the weight you ask for is a put off and I am at the opposite end of the country so cant visit

Do you think the dead weight will become a problem over a longer innings or does it feel like its higher up the bat like people are saying?

Id be interested to weigh an Aldred handle and a Keeley to see what the difference in weight is.

If you want a bat in a more normal weight the best bet with Aldred is ebay.

[Paese]

Lovely looking bat I have to say. Ive been toying with the idea of an Aldred for a couple of years now but not getting the weight you ask for is a put off and I am at the opposite end of the country so cant visit

Do you think the dead weight will become a problem over a longer innings or does it feel like its higher up the bat like people are saying?

Id be interested to weigh an Aldred handle and a Keeley to see what the difference in weight is.

Thanks, I love the look of the butterfly bats, and this one in particular. As I have grown older, I've realised I am impacted quite a lot by stuff having to feel and look a particular way when it comes to batting, in particular the bat itself. The three things that have to be right for me to stand much chance of scoring runs in my head is the handle has to be thick and stand no chance of turning in my hand, it has to feel/look wide (this may sound weird) and the pick up obviously. This is the first bat in a while that hit all three for me, without me having to tweak it myself.

In terms of dead weight for longer innings. I do open the batting, but I think you overestimate how many long innings I might have, and how long even a 'long innings' last for, for me. Haha. So, I might not be the best judge. I geuss we'll see. It's different to batting for a while in the nets and facing a ball every few seconds, you get longer breaks out in the middle.

I bet the difference in handle weight is actually quite a lot. So the 2lb 13oz weight of this probably has a higher proportion of handle weight than normal, meaning (at least for me, it counter balances better). The shape of the handle suits me better as well. Paul does offer a few different variations of oval and round, so worth picking a few up. A couple of lads at the club have his bats, with slightly different handle variations and I don't like them as much.

Lastly, I agree with @Kulli that if you're looking for a specific weight I think it's tough to convince Paul of that, and he'll make something he thinks feels a certain way/weight. This works for some including me, doesn't work for everyone. Everyone has their own way of doing things. Aldred is stocked in Mad Dog Sports in Nottingham as well, if you wanted to give them a call to see what weights they have in.

[urban.monk]

I'm still waiting for me Aldred to arrive. Ordered a classic blue. Will post when it turns up.