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[jonpinson]

Jon, dug up my inbox and pulled out the PM of Talisman (read it out:) );

I mean no disrespect to any batmaker, and I know it is a difficult art to master, but consider this: How many batmakers have you heard of (still functioning, or in the past) who made bad bats? We overthink it. Plain and simple. I don't think there is one batmaker who is clearly better than the rest. Some might have the extra talent to get the best out of each cleft more consistantly, but the one thing we will never know is who is thebest at it.

I'd take a gamble and say if you ordered a Woodstock bat, you'd get a good one. I can't work out why you or I might though, when we have so many good makers on here. I don't think it would be a big gamble at all, but more of a gamble than ordering from a maker with a bit more provenance.

We see the bat makers art as a throw back to the old days of craft and a little bit of magic. We see it as romantic. A dark art that is intentionally never fully explained. We imagine a process along the lines of alchemy. We buy into the mysticism but at the end of the day we are talking about wood, which if prepared well will do the job it is intended for.

[procricket]

not sure but sure tom knows i sure you can not just buy grade 1 clefts from wrights my question would be were do all the lower grades go for people only claiming to sell grade 1

[jonpinson]

I just think from last year to this year generally prices of bats have gone up a lot. I have not been on the forum for long so don't know whether that is a general trend or net. I would think it is a fantastic chance for a newish brand to price themselves a little more competitively but if they rename their bats to platinum for 160 and L.E for 200 we would not be having this conversation.

That is a very good point.

It is all about our (the consumer) perception. Take the SAF model, interesting names for all grades. Far more enticing than G1, G2 G3 etc.

The chap making these woodstocks would do well to modify that.

[jonpinson]

not sure but sure tom knows i sure you can not just buy grade 1 clefts from wrights my question would be were do all the lower grades go for people only claiming to sell grade 1

 
It is possible I suppose that the lower grades are sold on to larger producers who make vast quantities of lower priced bats.

Didn't say I think it happens though.

[Opener]

Just a question about CD's comment. If a bat is machine pressed and I think Newbery bats are why would it be so hard for someone who is in the factory to pick it up? If Time Keeley ever has to take a leave of absence will Newbery go bust?

[jonpinson]

Just a question about CD's comment. If a bat is machine pressed and I think Newbery bats are why would it be so hard for someone who is in the factory to pick it up? If Time Keeley ever has to take a leave of absence will Newbery go bust?

I wouldn't believe all you read, if everything I'd heard about newbery and Tim Keeley were true, the man must work 25 hours a day.

[Cover_Drive]

I just think from last year to this year generally prices of bats have gone up a lot. I have not been on the forum for long so don't know whether that is a general trend or net. I would think it is a fantastic chance for a newish brand to price themselves a little more competitively but if they rename their bats to platinum for 160 and L.E for 200 we would not be having this conversation.

I'm not too sure but I'm in same boat with you.

I think the EU ban on methybromide might have some affect. I know that applies for imports only but because of that prices have hiked in Asia etc and the demand has increased in UK etc so higher demand leads to a higher price, thats what I can think of...

[Cover_Drive]

Just a question about CD's comment. If a bat is machine pressed and I think Newbery bats are why would it be so hard for someone who is in the factory to pick it up? If Time Keeley ever has to take a leave of absence will Newbery go bust?

I'm sure this would have been said when Jon left but I'm sure Tim must be training some chaps along himself.

[Cover_Drive]

I mean no disrespect to any batmaker, and I know it is a difficult art to master, but consider this: How many batmakers have you heard of (still functioning, or in the past) who made bad bats? We overthink it. Plain and simple. I don't think there is one batmaker who is clearly better than the rest. Some might have the extra talent to get the best out of each cleft more consistantly, but the one thing we will never know is who is thebest at it.

I'd take a gamble and say if you ordered a Woodstock bat, you'd get a good one. I can't work out why you or I might though, when we have so many good makers on here. I don't think it would be a big gamble at all, but more of a gamble than ordering from a maker with a bit more provenance.

We see the bat makers art as a throw back to the old days of craft and a little bit of magic. We see it as romantic. A dark art that is intentionally never fully explained. We imagine a process along the lines of alchemy. We buy into the mysticism but at the end of the day we are talking about wood, which if prepared well will do the job it is intended for.

Well thats true and I agree with you.

Well I never claimed Tim to be the best batmaker, I had just shared Mikes PM with you guys.

However, I would say that whoever invests in a particular would never say that that batmaker is not good one, everyone will say!

I hate saying this but Mike ges overwhelming of his bats made from Newbery/Tim hence he might be saying that to promote his sales etc.

Personally after buying few bats from various batmaker I have come to a point that as you earlier said each and every company has different way of grading bats so for me finishing is what matter and skills (eg making a big bat for low weight etc.)

[mattw]

Their stuff looks quality, this has really put a spanner in the works as I was pretty much certainly going to get a Hawk in the next couple of weeks.

[norbs]

CD a pm means a private msg I don't think you are doing anyone any favours sharing what at the end of day is an opinion.

[steelcouch]

I live in Sussex and have seen quite anfewnof the Woodstock bats and played against players using them
I have to say they do look excellent willow generally
and the craftsmenship looks good, better than good to me
some of them really perform and send the ball racing t the boundary
I guess as a new manufacturer you might use the best clefts early to get a god rep, but I would definately recommend them to people who like a slightly bigger bat
look good, nice guy and a v competitive price,
softs look good to

[justnotcricket86]

Website is now up chaps if you want to have a look

http://www.woodstockcricket.co.uk/

[procricket]

looks like a advert for public schools

to posh for my liking

[punter_legend]

Actually loving these pads !

http://www.woodstockcricket.co.uk/platinum-pads