New from Black Cat - the F40

[02thoeva]

New for 2012 is the Black Cat Cricket F40. A limited edition bat made from the cream of the English willow. The F40 is strictly limited by the amount of quality willow available, making it ultra rare and hugely desirable. Black Cat expect to produce around 4 F40′s a year – positioning them as the Rolls Royce of cricket bats (only they take a cricket ball slightly better!)

The F40 will retail at £475, and looks like a work of art with the sexiest stickers on the market and perfect grains. Each bat comes with a completely custom profile.

Looks like the Cenkos has competition…

 

[02thoeva]

Another new bat from BC

"The boys from Black Cat have clearly been very busy over the Christmas period. After yesterday releasing the beautiful £475 F40, they've come up with another new model.

This new bat is called the Phantom and so far at Cricket Insight we've only been able to blag these pics. Information on the shape, profile and grades will be updated here over the next couple of days but from what we can see this is another great addition to the range with simple, yet eye catching branding."

 

[Cover Drive]

Cheers for all this 02thoeva, appreciated!

I think F40 stickers look brilliant but certainly not worth that price tag as you can get custom bat from BlackCat a lot cheaper than that. So really all of surplus you pay is for stickers and better looking grains.

Phantom looks good as well, I think Charlie does a brilliant job in presenting his bats he certainly make stickers that catch buyers eyes!

Phantom seem to have higher sweetspot while Shadow has it lower..

 

[ca_gold]

Isn't this just a tk made bat with flashy stickers?

 

[Cover Drive]

Correct

 

[d7bow]

Apparently BlackCat have there own willow trees, so yes it is made by TK but the willow is not from wrights.

 

[Cover Drive]

True - but does willow makes a lot or a very very big difference when it comes to performance?

 

[d7bow]

Unless they are doing something different to wrights then I can't see there being any difference.

 

[Cover Drive]

Unless they are doing something different to wrights then I can't see there being any difference.

Logically I find it hard to believe or understand how trees can be grown differently...

 

[Poison]

Looks incredible.

 

[d7bow]

Logically I find it hard to believe or understand how trees can be grown differently...

The trees positioning, care of tree while growing, felling of trees, the drying process and I expect many other factors can and will play a part in the quality of willow.

That said, wrights are meant to be one of the best in the business.

 

[Hammermellet]

So basically, " the rumour " that is the new thing in the block is to grow your own trees right. Lekka also grows his own trees. But as usual just like the Canadian willow story there is no proof.

I'm not sure what kind of proof is available but I will for sure also be telling people I grow my own trees, have a dedicated bat maker in a shed in my back yard, and use super special magically grown willow when I start my brand.

Ha ha, the cricket bat industry sure is a lot of smoke and mirrors isn't it??

 

[Cricketismylife]

the Canadian willow story

whats this story- can u provide a link?

Ha ha, the cricket bat industry sure is a lot of smoke and mirrors isn't it??

it sure is.

but thats like most other markets/industries.

To be fair I would rather buy three good grade 1/2 bats for the same price of this magic wonder G1++++ ++++ +++ +++ willow bats.

 

[Cover Drive]

So basically, " the rumour " that is the new thing in the block is to grow your own trees right. Lekka also grows his own trees. But as usual just like the Canadian willow story there is no proof.

I'm not sure what kind of proof is available but I will for sure also be telling people I grow my own trees, have a dedicated bat maker in a shed in my back yard, and use super special magically grown willow when I start my brand.

Ha ha, the cricket bat industry sure is a lot of smoke and mirrors isn't it??

Wouldn't say it is rumour when it comes to BlackCat owning a Willow plantation, they actually do own one, I think some of chaps have seen or been there too.

 

[zeusky]

I agree with CD; based on the interactions we have had with some folks, I think the opinion is that Black Cat does own a willow plantation.

 

[d7bow]

So basically, " the rumour " that is the new thing in the block is to grow your own trees right. Lekka also grows his own trees. But as usual just like the Canadian willow story there is no proof.

I'm not sure what kind of proof is available but I will for sure also be telling people I grow my own trees, have a dedicated bat maker in a shed in my back yard, and use super special magically grown willow when I start my brand.

Ha ha, the cricket bat industry sure is a lot of smoke and mirrors isn't it??

Well Lekka were running a competition and the prize was to win one of his willow trees. I think part of the prize was to go & cut it down etc...

You can buy your own willow from kippax. They will plant and grow your tree/s for you.

 

[Cover Drive]

Well Lekka were running a competition and the prize was to win one of his willow trees. I think part of the prize was to go & cut it down etc...

You can buy your own willow from kippax. They will plant and grow your tree/s for you.

Do you have rough price Kippax charges?

 

[d7bow]

Do you have rough price Kippax charges?

Pretty sure on the old website it was £100.

Just checked same price

http://www.chriskippax.350.com/kippax_willow/Own_your_own_Willow_Tree.htm

 

[Cover Drive]

Wow that is quite cheap I'd say and quite tempting I'd say.

I had thought they would charge annually for maintenance but seems like they won't!

I hope one does not have to get all of the ten bats made from them .