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T O P I C R E V I E W
cheester23
Posted - 03/11/2011 : 20:32:19 Hi all, newly signed up but been reading for many moons. Looking to spend about £200 very hard earned cash of a new stick. Having to buy blind (i.e. order off websites) as all the bat makers here are too far away for me to visit, or can't allow people in the workshop. I am torn between:
A) Salix Pod (or possibly Falx) B) Fusion Sports bat C) Black Cat Shadow
all similar shapes, all hand made. Looking for some opinions as to where you would spend you money and a short reason why.
I am (not especially good) opener. Strokeplay over slogging.
Cheers in adv Allan
7 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First)
prussell
Posted - 12/04/2012 : 08:53:31 Salix all day long, had a black cat that split across the grain (all the way across !) after 1 season. The Salix bats are all made in kent in the same workshop by the batmaker. not like others you mentioned that buy blanks and do a bit of shaping! If you are ever able to get down the the salix workshop you can get a custom made for the same cost as off the peg.... and the Performance range at Salix, i better than most other brands Grade 1's!
Tykemania
Posted - 16/03/2012 : 19:14:12 Seriously think about Black Cat - just got one and, whilst the cutomer service has been decidedly ropey, the bat itslf is lovely!
Azabenc23
Posted - 14/03/2012 : 14:04:21 Black cat
cheester23
Posted - 05/11/2011 : 12:55:45 Hi all, thanks for the comments so far. Just missed out on some good deals on Salixs, so a bit gutted I deliberaed so long! Long like I can't go far wrong with any of these choices. Millichamp are in the picture too, if I close my eyes when putting the amount on my credit card... The 'Original' is in budget, but I already have a Bradbury Syerlin of around 2.8 (undressed), which has a very similar shape, and probably performance. If there are no good offers on Salix when I get back to the country at the end of the month, I will probably contact them and Black cat and go from there (unless there are any especially good offers on M&H!) decisions decisions. thanks Allan
Guesty
Posted - 05/11/2011 : 12:26:43 I tested the Black Cat 2 seasons ago for Wisden, easily the best bat i have ever used. great pickup, well balanced, great piece of wood with an immense ping, just have to touch it and the ball flies off the middle. Only downside is they arnt cheap
ammo500
Posted - 04/11/2011 : 23:18:26 gat a Salix trusted brand who produce quality bats.
awyldebr
Posted - 04/11/2011 : 00:55:10 Fusion has a great customer service reputation, I don't know anybody who has a complaint with them. One thing to look out for with them is that most people I've come across with them recieved bats a touch heavier than they asked for, although the balance of the bat usually compensates for this. The ones I've seen have all played superbly, and a Fusion wouldn't break the bank either.
Of the Salix range, the Pod is probably best for an opener, unless you play on very slow pitches. They have a fantastic finish and generally match all the customer's requested specifications, and again the performance is faultless. The only problem is that Salix is a pricey brand - you won't get much change from £200 even for the most basic model, if any change at all.
I haven't come across Black Cat, although all the reviews I've read have been positive. I can't comment on them beyond that.
If I were spending my own money on a Salix or Fusion, I would probably go the Salix, despite the price tag. The main advantage for Salix over Fusion in my mind is the slight improvement in their matching of requested specifications, I'm personally quite sensitive to the dead weight of my bat. Although your budget would only get their "Performance" grade bat, I don't care too much about cosmetic grading personally, so that's a non-issue. They are fantastic strokeplayers bats, and their finish is unmatched anywhere in the industry.
All that being said, I'd be remiss if I didn't plug for my own weapon of choice, the Millichamp & Hall Original; also a great lightweight opener's bat which falls nicely into your budget
