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[Richard]

Just thinking....

Does the pick-up of a bat remain the same regardless of who plays with it? A lot of posts on the forum would suggest it does, i.e. i've got a bat that is 3lb but picks up like 2lb 10.
I would have thought the pick-up of a particular bat depends on who is holding it, taking into account hand position, strength of the individual, grip etc.
Forgive me if this seems rather mundane, it just seems that every bat you come across has an amazing pick up, when surely the pick up and balance of a bat could change when someone else picks it up?

[peplow]

Agree with you mate

I think bats are found to either pick up well or badly by most people when they feel them (pretty standard across board in agreement with each other) with the exception of the odd weirdo that likes a heavy pick up!

I think its to what extent that individual differences between people alter how well they feel it picks up with all the things you've said including the way they play etc effecting it.

Interesting point though...

[Richard]

Yes, but does bat A, made for player 1, pick-up the same for player 2?

[Richard]

Sorry, that post was in reply to Umz's that seems to have disappeared?

[Buzz]

Yes, but does bat A, made for player 1, pick-up the same for player 2?

In short, yes. I would say it is possible for a bat to pick up differently for different players - because different players have different strength hands/arms, plus some players will bat right handed, but actually be left handed or vice versa. Plus different players hold the bat in different places - compare sachin holding the bat near the splice to Adam Gilchrest holding the bat at the very top of the handle. As everyone is different, every bat will feel differnet to every player.

Plus a bat specifically designed for a right handed bats man should not pick up as well for a left handed batsman and vice versa

[Coach]

Buzz? Bats designed for right and left handers?

[Buzz]

Buzz? Bats designed for right and left handers? I doubt it!

Absolutely, the bat can be weighted differently. A mate of mine has one of Strauss' bats (they are family friends). This bat picks up noticably better for a left hander than a right hander.
Frequently you will see the toe of a bat shaped differently for a right and left handed bat. Obviously this wont happen in bats made for mass production, but a custom bat should do.

Pretty sure there are several people on the forum who could expand on this, even if they don't give away their secrets as to how they do it. 

[ianbuchanan]

when i had my bat made at M&H they asked me whether I was left or right handed when shaping my bat.... if that helps

[Talisman]

Not seen a change in shape, but the choice of willow will effect right or left handed.

[peplow]

Is that with heartwood? and tightness of grains on edges??

[procricket]

heartwood being harder on the outside edge and grains being wider apart on the outside edge erm think that right

[frankspop]

It may be useful in this context to separate out Pick Up from Swing Weight.  Pick Up can then be considered relative to an individual's own physiological and biomechanical characteristics and personal preferences.  Swing Weight is constant for each bat since it relates to its mass and how that mass is distributed.

For example, assume a hypothetical Swing Weight scale of 1 - 10 exists, and the convention has become established in cricket bat buying. Then a stronger player might select a bat with a swing weight a few points higher than the 'average'. Of course, that strong player may prefer to play 'light', as many do.

The benefit of the swing weight scale is that it's more meaningful than dead weight when selecting a bat to suit player preferences. It would be welcome progress in Cricket if bat makers could move to sell bats against an Industry standard swing weight scale.

[Buzz]

It may be useful in this context to separate out Pick Up from Swing Weight.  Pick Up can then be considered relative to an individual's own physiological and biomechanical characteristics and personal preferences.  Swing Weight is constant for each bat since it relates to its mass and how that mass is distributed.

For example, assume a hypothetical Swing Weight scale of 1 - 10 exists, and the convention has become established in cricket bat buying. Then a stronger player might select a bat with a swing weight a few points higher than the 'average'. Of course, that strong player may prefer to play 'light', as many do.

The benefit of the swing weight scale is that it's more meaningful than dead weight when selecting a bat to suit player preferences. It would be welcome progress in Cricket if bat makers could move to sell bats against an Industry standard swing weight scale.

Norbs might get excited about this... I like what you are suggesting!

[Howzat]

Sounds a great idea, but of course there would never be a "standard" unless an individual company rated every bat! Can see some sneaky companys upgrading their bats otherwise!