FAQs
The Answers You Need
Need assistance? Before picking up the phone, check out our answers to some of the most frequently asked questions below. If you can’t find the answer to your question here, get in touch with us.
What is the grading process?
Our cricket bats are graded off performance & density first, followed by grain structure and the cleanliness of willow . That's not to say that we won't get hold of some stunning looking clefts, but we prioritise performance over cosmetics as that is what truly counts in a cricket bat. In order to ensure the best possible quality to customers we grade our bats twice; while they are raw clefts and while they are finished. For more information regarding specific grades, please see the description under individual products.
Do I need to knock in my cricket bat?
The face and front edges of the bat should be tapped with a cricket mallet or old leather ball. Be very careful when knocking in the edges as hitting too hard can cause cracks. We generally recommend that even if your bat comes knocked in that you still spend time gently practising with the bat before taking it against new balls and fast bowlers.
Ensure that you oil your bat prior to knocking it in. This provides the willow fibres the flexibility to absorb the impact of the mallet. Dry knocking can result in knocking in a brittle bat, which can cause premature damage to the willow.
My bat has cracked, what should I do?
Surface cracks are very common throughout the lifespan of a cricket bat. English Willow is a soft, fibrous wood that faces repeated impacts from a hard ball. These cracks do not affect the performance or lifespan of the bat. For more severe cracks, do not hesitate to contact us as we also offer a repair service.
What's the difference in perofrmance between a grade 1 bat and a grade 2 bat?
Grade 1 bats tend to be softer willow. The result of this is that a grade 1 will reach peak performance sooner than a grade 2. We press our bats firmly to ensure that we strike the perfect balance between performance and durability.
The higher the grade, the lower the density of the willow. This base allows very big bats to be extremely light in relation to their size.