Topic: My Bats (Read 7591 times)

tim2000s · « **on:** September 15, 2010, 01:55:17 PM »

Thought I'd share a few pics of some of my hunks of willow.

No. 1 - Gray Nicolls Xiphos PP SH

Well used, went on a tour in Jamaica where it was sadly underused. Got a crack at the bottom of the face where all the tape is, and the toe is somewhat shafted. The middle is huge and it goes like a gun, but then it weighs 3lb, so it should! Nothing special on the edges but you don't always need monsters...

petehosk · « **Reply #1 on:** September 15, 2010, 06:45:24 PM »

It's funny but cos it weighs in at 3lb, you kind of expect it to have even thicker edges than that.
But I've found the weight of the bat is in the density, and most of the bats that weight will go like a rocket!
Plus who needs bat speed when the bat is that stocky and bulky!

Forward push will normally result in great power!
I have a number at that kind of weight and it's going to be fun using them!

tim2000s · « **Reply #2 on:** September 15, 2010, 06:47:34 PM »

Yes, checked straight drive off a quick usually flies off for four. You don't need to do much to get the runs!

tim2000s · « **Reply #3 on:** September 20, 2010, 09:58:34 AM »

No. 2 - Hunts County Insignia LH 5* - Custom Made, 2lb 11oz

When my old one fell apart

I had used other bats, but decided that I wanted another of these. This one is now stickerless and undergoing knocking in, but seems to be a lovely piece of wood and I'm looking forward to nets testing! Much more traditional shape than a lot of the monsters in here, with fairly narrow edges, but one hell of a middle and plenty of wood getting to them.

And in comparison to the Xiphos....

Very different shape!

tim2000s · « **Reply #4 on:** February 21, 2011, 05:20:13 PM »

Bat No. 3 - Adding to an old topic...

Millichamp and Hall S6 Grade 1 "Custom"
I got a new job and promised myself that I would get a new M&H S6. There had been one in the local sports shop for ages and I rather liked it but it was a little too heavy, so I decided to opt for the "Get an S6 in the sale" approach. I filled out the form on the M&H website and then over the course of the next week, Nick at M&H and I exchanged many emails before this beauty turned up. I'd asked for it to be fully knocked in, mainly because I am lazy, and that's how it turned up.

Bouncing the mallet off it I was massively impressed. This is a LHLB monster weighing in at 2lb 11oz and I couldn't wait to get it in the nets. Once tested, I had a great deal more respect for M&H. This bat is an absolute beauty and the one against which I measure the performance of all others. It really goes like a train. I don't think I've found a bat that is better suited to front foot play, even the 'goose, and I've played with a few.

This one is an 8 grainer, and seems to fit with the Millichamp thing of 7-10 grains is best for longevity. It's just a pity that the hammer edge is on because you can't see the face properly! Anyway, lovely bat and here are the pics!

Getting a little help from one of the cats...

Howzat · « **Reply #5 on:** February 21, 2011, 06:05:39 PM »

Lovely bat, but whoever put that hammer edge on needs to be shot!

tim2000s · « **Reply #6 on:** February 21, 2011, 06:35:10 PM »

Yeah, it wasn't my best.....

tim2000s · « **Reply #7 on:** March 04, 2011, 09:07:20 PM »

Bat No 4: Uzi 50mm

As mentioned in an earlier thread today, this is the Uzi C6+ Laminate. It weighs in at 2lb 15oz and is a bit of a monster. There is no concaving to its back and although weighing in heavy, it picks up about the same as/slightly better than my 2lb 13oz Hunts County Insignia LH, which is quite a result. It's a monster that has been sent back to Newbery for a refurb after a brief few nets last year, and has been provided with a nice new hammer edge + SPS stickers, which hide its origins pretty effectively. I have to say that the refurb although not super cheap has come up wonders. It looks new.

When used in the nets, it surprised me with just how good the rebound is (that can be re-interpreted to scared the bowlers as well), and what I like about it is that it is a little piece of history. With the attention given to bat "modification" and the rule changes, I don't expect that anything like this will be made for some time to come.

The added, unrealised benefit of an Uzi, if you like cats, is that they seem to be rather attracted to it...

Anyhow, here are a number of pictures for your enjoyment and perusal.