Julian Millichamp [Videos]

[Cover Drive]

As requested by Bouncer Bhai, here you go;

Julian Millichamp appears on FOX Sports

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The History of Cricket Bats

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Cricket Bat Maintenance

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The making of a cricket bat

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The growing of cricket bat willow

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[KashifJ]

Have actually spoken to Julian over the phone many times ... must say he is a very humble & honest guy to talk to; gives you all the attention, tries to understand all your requirements with questions and then suggests you the best possible advice ...

 

[langer17]

I've been to his workshop and he is a top bloke, went in December 2008. He knows alot about cricket bats (obviously) and he answers any questions you have and it's awesome just to see him at work. When I was there, there was an Australian player having a bat made for them, but he couldn't tell me who it was for (I think it was either Hussey or Ponting). Top bloke, Top bats, Top service - Perfect.

 

[langer17]

Here's the full video, all the above videos as a whole (those youtbe videos are jsut snippets of this one)

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8461984891164955804#

 

[Cover Drive]

I don't think anyone would be able to doubt Julian's abilities and his knowledge when it comes to bats, if anyone does they really are insane to be honest. Julian is God father in bats business and there is no one like him.

I would rate Julian higher than his fellows Tim Keeley and Andrew Kember.

Langer, which SCAT did you buy back in 2008?

 

[KashifJ]

I don't think anyone would be able to doubt Julian's abilities and his knowledge when it comes to bats, if anyone does they really are insane to be honest. Julian is God father in bats business and there is no one like him.

I would rate Julian higher than his fellows Tim Keeley and Andrew Kember.

Langer, which SCAT did you buy back in 2008?

Very true ... One question pops to my mind though; obviously bat making is quite demanding physical work, is he still doing it on his own/alone? And I can imagine the number of bats he/they are making for international players & players like us

 

[Cover Drive]

I'm pretty sure all of bat making is done by Julian himself he might have someone who sands, finishes the bat but I'm sure he does all of podshaving himself.

It takes upto four hours to make one bat and you can imagine how hectic it can get.

 

[langer17]

I'm pretty sure all of bat making is done by Julian himself he might have someone who sands, finishes the bat but I'm sure he does all of podshaving himself.

It takes upto four hours to make one bat and you can imagine how hectic it can get.

I have been to his workshop and had a bat made, and can tell you that Julian makes, sands and finishes all the bats himself.

The 3/4 hours is total time for each bat, but he actually cuts the clefts to size, splices and handles a large group of them at a time (around 250 in his workshop ready to be shaped), so when you go and visit him, or you order one online/by phone, he then only has to shape, sand and finish the bats, which takes around an hour and a half.

When I went to his workshop, he had 4 rows of bats (double sided) each of which had around 30 bats (each side, so 60 total per row), which made it around 250 bats handled and ready to be shaped. He has them set up in the different grades, and has them laid out with the light clefts being at one end, and the heavy one’s being at another. Once you tell him what you want (grade, light/heavy, grains) he grabs 5 or 6 and hits them up to see how they feel, he then narrows it down to around 2 and then hits them up some more until he finds which one he thinks is best. He then starts shaping the bat, and throughout the process he would give me the bat to feel, then he would continue shaping. Once he was satisfied, he then commences sanding which consist of course followed by a fine sanding. He then wax’s and buffs the bat to a nice finish then applies stickers and grip. Then they are finished and you are good to go. I have to say that it was an absolutely awesome experience to see him at work, and to talk to him about who he has made bats for and his journey through bat making was just awesome. I will remember the experience forever.

CD, I got a series 3 with a slightly higher middle.

 

[KashifJ]

I have been to his workshop and had a bat made, and can tell you that Julian makes, sands and finishes all the bats himself.

The 3/4 hours is total time for each bat, but he actually cuts the clefts to size, splices and handles a large group of them at a time (around 250 in his workshop ready to be shaped), so when you go and visit him, or you order one online/by phone, he then only has to shape, sand and finish the bats, which takes around an hour and a half.

When I went to his workshop, he had 4 rows of bats (double sided) each of which had around 30 bats (each side, so 60 total per row), which made it around 250 bats handled and ready to be shaped. He has them set up in the different grades, and has them laid out with the light clefts being at one end, and the heavy one’s being at another. Once you tell him what you want (grade, light/heavy, grains) he grabs 5 or 6 and hits them up to see how they feel, he then narrows it down to around 2 and then hits them up some more until he finds which one he thinks is best. He then starts shaping the bat, and throughout the process he would give me the bat to feel, then he would continue shaping. Once he was satisfied, he then commences sanding which consist of course followed by a fine sanding. He then wax’s and buffs the bat to a nice finish then applies stickers and grip. Then they are finished and you are good to go. I have to say that it was an absolutely awesome experience to see him at work, and to talk to him about who he has made bats for and his journey through bat making was just awesome. I will remember the experience forever.

CD, I got a series 3 with a slightly higher middle.

Wow this is great stuff; I hope I'll be able to meet the master in person and have my bat made in front of me too. I can imagine the connection you would have with your bat which was made in front of you !

 

[KashifJ]

CD, I got a series 3 with a slightly higher middle.

Btw, would it be possible for you to post some photos + review etc. on your bat please?

 

[mrk]

hmm by looking at this video and how much OIL he used... i have not used OIL at all!!

 

[cricmaniac]

Interesting to hear from Julian that fewer the grains the better is the bat. I was always "assuming" otherwise.

 

[Cover Drive]

I have been to his workshop and had a bat made, and can tell you that Julian makes, sands and finishes all the bats himself.

The 3/4 hours is total time for each bat, but he actually cuts the clefts to size, splices and handles a large group of them at a time (around 250 in his workshop ready to be shaped), so when you go and visit him, or you order one online/by phone, he then only has to shape, sand and finish the bats, which takes around an hour and a half.

When I went to his workshop, he had 4 rows of bats (double sided) each of which had around 30 bats (each side, so 60 total per row), which made it around 250 bats handled and ready to be shaped. He has them set up in the different grades, and has them laid out with the light clefts being at one end, and the heavy one’s being at another. Once you tell him what you want (grade, light/heavy, grains) he grabs 5 or 6 and hits them up to see how they feel, he then narrows it down to around 2 and then hits them up some more until he finds which one he thinks is best. He then starts shaping the bat, and throughout the process he would give me the bat to feel, then he would continue shaping. Once he was satisfied, he then commences sanding which consist of course followed by a fine sanding. He then wax’s and buffs the bat to a nice finish then applies stickers and grip. Then they are finished and you are good to go. I have to say that it was an absolutely awesome experience to see him at work, and to talk to him about who he has made bats for and his journey through bat making was just awesome. I will remember the experience forever.

CD, I got a series 3 with a slightly higher middle.

Top post, thanks for sharing this wonderful experience. It is great post for like of me who are unfortunate to go to bat factory so I appreciate it!

By rows you mean how he has in the video right?

He is truly the best out there who can figure out performance of a bat with few taps on the bat which in my opinion is quite remarkable.

 

[KashifJ]

Top post, thanks for sharing this wonderful experience. It is great post for like of me who are unfortunate to go to bat factory so I appreciate it!

By rows you mean how he has in the video right?

He is truly the best out there who can figure out performance of a bat with few taps on the bat which in my opinion is quite remarkable.

I feel bit sad that only handful people has this great talent ... and this art is phasing out too

I hope someone is going to continue his legacy !

 

[Cover Drive]

I feel bit sad that only handful people has this great talent ... and this art is phasing out too

I hope someone is going to continue his legacy !

Julian was apprentice of John L. Newbery and I hope there is someone who is apprentice of Julian.

 

[02thoeva]

Interesting that he has 250 bats at a time handled up in his factory. The kind of question which makes me wonder whether he's handling and pressing those all himself.

 

[KashifJ]

Interesting that he has 250 bats at a time handled up in his factory. The kind of question which makes me wonder whether he's handling and pressing those all himself.

Yes this is even evident from the video too; but I would assume even he is not handling & pressing all on his own ... for sure he is the one who is crafting the bats; in my opinion this is huge step forward to the final outcome of the bat .... for sure he must have a standard for the pressing & handling part

 

[02thoeva]

Shaping is important. But pressing is at least equally important, if not more so.

 

[KashifJ]

Shaping is important. But pressing is at least equally important, if not more so.

Absolutely agree ... that is why I would expect that Julian must have a very good pressing process (either by himself or via someone, may be his apprentice)

 

[aussiefan1960]

Hi everyone
I have heard Julian has a couple of new video clips on his website.
I''m going to check them out!