Weren't most Screaming Cat bats part made in India anyway?
From what I've been told, setup the press and taught them how he'd like his part mades pressed. No different really from when he taught Colin in Yorkshire how to do them for the beginning of the venture with Hall. (I do wonder if that press they bought off him is one that is down in Somerset)
Not to begin with but he did end up going that way unfortunately. I dont doubt that its the only way to keep up with demand that his reputation created. But did the finished product get better? Seems very unlikely.
I doubt the quality dropped either. Normally people talk about the feel of the bat and how it played - which you could attribute to high quality materials, (handle and willow) high quality work done on the Indian end, (Handle making and part made production) and Julian being exceptionally skilful with the way he shaped bats, handles and balanced. You can only do so much in your lifetime as a batmaker, why work yourself to death trying to meet demand when there's people you can teach and trust to be part of the process to streamline things?
Thanks for the share - I've never heard any of the batmakers who knew him have anything but praise for Julian. Now to rewatch his Youtube videos for the thousandth time