Topic: To sheet or not to sheet (Read 1022 times)

Thorne_Cricket · « **on:** October 16, 2024, 12:58:37 PM »

I have just treated myself to a new bat for the 2025 season as a birthday present (as you do!) and I could not resist the great deal from CricCounty. Now, as I start the process of knocking it in (to smooth out those seam marks from the initial testing), boning the edges, applying a liquid protector to the toe, adding grips and a counterbalance, I am debating what kind of sheet to apply to the face; if any.

On my current bats, I have taped the edges and applied a clear sheet, but for this one, I am strongly considering a fibre sheet. I have already noticed some very fine cracks around the toe and edges during the knocking-in process, which I know is pretty normal, but I want to ensure this bat lasts a few seasons, especially since it is pro grade.

What is your opinion? What would you recommend for the face protection?

whysoserious · « **Reply #1 on:** October 16, 2024, 01:45:32 PM »

This season I switched from the clear to fiber face, primarily to save a few ounces (don�t get me started). Make sure you get a good quality one whichever you choose as I initially applied a random one and it started splitting after 1 net session. I then put on the GN Fibertec and it has been solid since.

Thorne_Cricket · « **Reply #2 on:** October 16, 2024, 02:38:42 PM »

Quote from: whysoserious on October 16, 2024, 01:45:32 PM

This season I switched from the clear to fiber face, primarily to save a few ounces (don�t get me started). Make sure you get a good quality one whichever you choose as I initially applied a random one and it started splitting after 1 net session. I then put on the GN Fibertec and it has been solid since.

As a cricket bat "doctor" mainly for my cricket club, Chingford; I do fortunately have rolls of both clear and fibre, which I have purchased through a reliable and well respectable supplier. I understand that fibre is lighter than the clear, I am not bother about the additional weight, it is more about protection. There is no particular reason why I have taped the edges and applied clear sheets to my own bats, apart from it being a standard process I carry out on a number of bats I have worked on in the last 2 years and often the customers wants clear sheet fitted, I only apply fibre sheets to a bat when requested by the customer which is not that often or if there is sufficient damage to the face that warrants it. I want to apply a fibre sheet to my new bat to prevent damage and prolong the life span.

Jimbo · « **Reply #3 on:** October 16, 2024, 03:24:39 PM »

Fibre definitely seems to hold bats together better. I use clear but that's largely so I can see any damage early and sort it out.

SOULMAN1012 · « **Reply #4 on:** October 16, 2024, 07:45:50 PM »

My view is that fibre overall offer better protection. Admittedly you can�t see the fine edge cracks but if you normally apply edge tape over clear you can�t see them anyway. I certainly would never as a bat maker and repairer advise to not have a scuff sheet the balls in club cricket are by and large not great quality. Maybe after it�s been used for a season or two then the argument on that fact is maybe muted but on a new bat certainly not.

As for it being a pro grade I�m not even getting started on that as just winds me up lol

jonny77 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 16, 2024, 08:58:45 PM »

Quote from: whysoserious on October 16, 2024, 01:45:32 PM

This season I switched from the clear to fiber face, primarily to save a few ounces (don�t get me started). Make sure you get a good quality one whichever you choose as I initially applied a random one and it started splitting after 1 net session. I then put on the GN Fibertec and it has been solid since.

A few ounces? What the hell were you using?! 😆

Bats_Entertainment · « **Reply #6 on:** October 16, 2024, 09:00:09 PM »

Funny to have a bat named after a player with one first-class hundred.

whysoserious · « **Reply #7 on:** October 17, 2024, 07:00:32 AM »

Quote from: jonny77 on October 16, 2024, 08:58:45 PM

A few ounces? What the hell were you using?! 😆

You got me started now! Got a bat that was almost 2.10, needed it to be 2.85. So started stripping things; toe guard, removing binding off handle, trimming top of handle off etc. Still needed to lose a bit so switched from clear to fiber which reduced weight by almost 0.04. Got the bat down to about 2.87

Neon Cricket · « **Reply #8 on:** October 17, 2024, 07:00:42 AM »

I always use fibre, and any of ours pros' bats I apply fibre to. It's lighter and stronger, so a no brainer IMO

Jimbo · « **Reply #9 on:** October 17, 2024, 07:28:22 AM »

Quote from: Neon Cricket on October 17, 2024, 07:00:42 AM

I always use fibre, and any of ours pros' bats I apply fibre to. It's lighter and stronger, so a no brainer IMO

Can't look at the lovely grains though, choices choices choices... 😂

Thamesvalley · « **Reply #10 on:** October 17, 2024, 07:39:37 AM »

There seems to be mixed opinions out there about fibre and the clear sheets

Some say the fibre is thin and doesn�t protect a bat much , and a pain to take off

Some believe it�s stronger

The clear gloss stuff is heavier , easier to take off . I noticed some slight more rebound with fibre

Neon Cricket · « **Reply #11 on:** October 17, 2024, 07:50:18 AM »

Quote from: Jimbo on October 17, 2024, 07:28:22 AM

Can't look at the lovely grains though, choices choices choices... 😂

Can't look at them while you're batting anyway

gihanrat · « **Reply #12 on:** October 17, 2024, 08:21:46 AM »

Are pros starting to use more fibre sheets to protect their "one"?

Jimbo · « **Reply #13 on:** October 17, 2024, 08:26:14 AM »

Quote from: Neon Cricket on October 17, 2024, 07:50:18 AM

Can't look at them while you're batting anyway

Can while you're walking off having played a crap shot though, "if only I had another few grains that would have been in the next postcode" 🤣

Thorne_Cricket · « **Reply #14 on:** October 17, 2024, 10:09:50 AM »

Quote from: SOULMAN1012 on October 16, 2024, 07:45:50 PM

My view is that fibre overall offer better protection. Admittedly you can�t see the fine edge cracks but if you normally apply edge tape over clear you can�t see them anyway. I certainly would never as a bat maker and repairer advise to not have a scuff sheet the balls in club cricket are by and large not great quality. Maybe after it�s been used for a season or two then the argument on that fact is maybe muted but on a new bat certainly not.

As for it being a pro grade I�m not even getting started on that as just winds me up lol

As I know that CricCounty have been to the SG factory in Meerut and purchased a huge stock of their bats and some of those bats were intended for some of their sponsored players, it is only an assumption that it is graded as pro, whether it is or not, it is still a nice bat with a decent ping; I am not too fussed on the grading of the willow; as it is not all about that. As I have provided some business to CricCounty along with carrying out works for them, I was given a great deal; I was not looking for a new bat, but I am hoping that I can use more next season as I hardly bat this season and when I did for my club, I never got out in the 9 innings.

Author Topic: To sheet or not to sheet (Read 1022 times)

Thorne_Cricket

To sheet or not to sheet

whysoserious

Re: To sheet or not to sheet

Thorne_Cricket

Re: To sheet or not to sheet

Jimbo

Re: To sheet or not to sheet

SOULMAN1012

Re: To sheet or not to sheet

jonny77

Re: To sheet or not to sheet

Bats_Entertainment

Re: To sheet or not to sheet

whysoserious

Re: To sheet or not to sheet

Neon Cricket

Re: To sheet or not to sheet

Jimbo

Re: To sheet or not to sheet

Thamesvalley

Re: To sheet or not to sheet

Neon Cricket

Re: To sheet or not to sheet

gihanrat

Re: To sheet or not to sheet

Jimbo

Re: To sheet or not to sheet

Thorne_Cricket

Re: To sheet or not to sheet