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[andeke11]

What do you look for in a cricket bat
what weight, pick up, grains etc...

[procricket]

3 point check

pick up

off a mallet

hope for the best

[The Finisher]

lot of wood
light pick up
8-10 grains dnt like to many and then hope its a pinger !

[niceonechoppy]

Pick up, ping off a mallet or a soft sound, straight grains, good profille,slight concaving..

[Str8bat]

In order:
Profile - Gentle bow, low-ish middle, big spine
Big Rebound
Feels right in the hands (not too light, not too heavy)

[Watsontotty]

Pick up - Balance - Profile - Shape - in more or less that order, i have particular shape and profile bats i like but im also open to anything else so i work along the lines above. In terms of willow i like 8-10 grains with no heartwood but if the above criteria is right then im not that concerned in the grains etc as long as it performs well.

[Apple]

I go all on feel, totally dont bother about anything else, if it feels right use it.

[procricket]

yet most on here including myself sometimes buy purely on a set weight and the grains

[Apple]

i bought one that i based it one and did really bad with it, so i try and sheild my eyes from looking at the face!

[Hamps10]

Dead straight grains 8+
Light weight/Light pickup
Make sure its a Pinger !

[harrystokoe]

I decide on bats in the following order:
Pick up
Tap with a mallet
Profile
Grains

[roco]

I go for a 2lb212,low middle not too fussed about anything else but like 7+ grains

[andeke11]

i like a high blade, concaving does not really matter although preferably none
about a 2.7-8 with a great pick up, anywhere between 10-18 grains and hope it pings like a train

[armie]

I have a pretty long list, since i often am picking bats for you guys as well.

1. Willow Quality, is it good and appropriate for the model. personally i like a butterfly or two on my bat and specs are also a plus for me as generally these bats are pretty good with performance. 
2. Pickup, is the bat picking up well? Must be light weight unless asked otherwise (believe me i get request for toe heavy bats too)
3. Weight, it must be as needed coz despite good pickups, heavy weight can have its impact in the longer run, especially on the back.
4. Profile, i like middles in the middle and too low or high are not preferred.
5. Handle, the shape, the no of pieces and the thickness.
6.  Edge Size, A lot of people look for large ones.
7. Toe and Shoulder thickness, it is pretty crucial in the longer run.
8. Ping, Obviously, as it is what matters in the longer run though it will really be known how the bat performs once it is properly used.

[Colesy]

No knots or blemishes, don't mind a butterfly stain.
8-12 grains.
2lb 10 ish.
Large edges.
Low/mid middle.
Oval handle.
Pick up.
Toe thickness (sometimes).