Paul I normally don't comment on videos but I really like your videos and your honesty about what you do and all... I follow your Instagram too and always comment on them and ask some strange question about crickets bats and handles just asked one question today too about the heaviest bat you have ever made and you have always answered the question which is something not many do... Will love to see your workshop😊
Sadly no legislation made in Parliament will be created as it's too small of a niche industry with few customers. Maybe something trading standards can have a look
It is always good to be circumspect before buying a cricket bat, especially in today's day and age. I absolutely loathe and detest when professional cricketers apply stickers on their bats of products they are not using. It is misleading and dishonest. After watching this video I reviewed the social media pages and the website of three companies whose products I have been considering buying in the future. One of them is off my list whilst the other two are still on it.
Good day paul. There is a alot off talk that handles with more rubber inserts perform better. Can u plz do a video on why do handles have rubber inserts and if yes or no if more rubber inserts increase bat performance.
dillon ramoutar I'm no expert on handles I have to say. My experience and knowledge of them comes from what I saw over the years playing and the dozens and dozens I have tested over time. I had some belting bats that had two rubber inserts in them and I know those handles were made in the uk at that time. I have tried and tested cork inserts and rubber. I have seen good and bad in both. The manufacturers tell me the cork is lighter but I've not got on with them really. I personally feel it's down to the quality of the cane used and the construction of them. I like strong stiff handles and not flexible light flimsy ones. I searched lots and lots of manufacturers and narrowed it down to firstly one that gave me good consistent quality and service but also a trustworthy company. Hope that helps
Aldred Cricket Bats . Thank you so much sir. I do agree with the strong stiff handles as i found that they are lessly to crack and as you play on wid the bat the better they begin to perform. Thank you again
For someone who literally makes bats for another company (Newbery) and numerous pros sponsored by other companies this is incredibly hypocritical. I’m sure you make a fantastic product, but is it not possible that other companies are able to do this too? Always seems like if it isn’t “Aldred” then it’s substandard in some way.
Honest Truth at no point have I said that. In fact I encourage people on a constant basis to get to know their local bat maker. So I will open and honestly tell you how this works. I got approached to make a certain amount of bats for them for the pros and their bespoke bats for customers. I pondered it for about two weeks as I didn't want it to effect my own business as that is the important thing for me as I don't want to be reliant on others. We negotiated and we shuck hands, no contracts just trust. They get someone who cares about their product just as much as I do my own and I get more experience making more bats for a wider range of player. So the next step will be training others to make bats. As I'm getting more established which is the key thing here in business I am getting closer to that goal of training others up with a view that the skills will be carried on for years to come. If doing work for newbery helps me do that brilliant and if it helps myself and newbery too brilliant. So please don't state when I constantly tell people to get to know their local bat maker that I don't support the trade because it simply is not true.
I had just seen a couple of very speeded up videos on Instagram thought it was you. I can see what your getting at in the videos but without buying part made bats etc how are the next generation going to learn how to make bats, there's not to many big companies taking on unskilled workers to make high end bats and I would imagine there is a lack of knowledge out there hence why your doing what your doing for Newbery also partmades are not cheap to buy so you can't easily just buy 10 to improve skills on and not sell them on. Keep up the good work with your videos enjoy watching them
Ross Andrews it’s tough Ross I know to get on the ladder. I know because I had to do it myself. I’ve made it well documented that laver and wood helped me with part mades when I set about starting my own apprenticeship while I learnt to shape. Then while I was doing that I was saving up and hunting down a press whilst I taught myself to splice and handle. It was only after I was confident with pressing and handling that I started selling some as a label and sold at low prices whilst I learnt on the job so to speak. So every year I tried to add one more piece of equipment. It is very hard but not impossible and I am currently training someone up who works full time elsewhere and comes in at weekends and my aim is in the future to train more people to keep the trade alive. It may or may not happen but hopefully looking positively it will but there’s no point hiding these skills to the next generation in my mind otherwise they will be lost
Paul, you bleat on and whine about your competition in every video. Why not stop moaning and try to actually improve what you do rather than blow your own trumpet. If I were to spend my money I would never choose such a negative person as you with such a bad reputation for poor products and awful service. I would happily choose a part made bat that had been handled and pressed by Tim Keeley over you as he's miles better in every aspect of bat making and you will get a far superior product. The best brands tower above you because they do a better job, you try to push everyone else down rather than raise your standards.
Bruce Wayne thank you Bruce for your opinion. At no point have I moaned or bleated about my supposed opposition, I have always encouraged and tried to push the public towards their local bat maker, I'm passionate about our trades in this country. Your right Tim keeled is a fantastic bat maker and I truly admire what he's done over his career. I have and do always try and answer the questions I get asked on a regular basis and be open and honest about it. I am sorry that my products are in your opinion so poor and my service terrible, it's something I shall have to take a look at but I have to say I don't have many complaints that's for sure. I trust you all the luck in the world in your future whatever it is you do and look forward to possibly meeting you one day Regards Paul
Paul, thank you for posting a reply. You are a local bat maker (mine actually) so of course want to promote and increase your business and this video series exists to do that. My annoyance as a viewer is that you reference machine made bats and people not pressing their own bats. What difference does either make to the finished article? None. As I stated before I would take a TK part made shaped by anyone over any other bat, and the reason for that is that I want the very best performance from a bat. Tim has been making for over 40 years, running a brand for 30 years, his experience is based on success and failure. To make a shape it matters not if you do it, I do it or a chimp with a teaspoon does it, as long as the shape is what was wanted. Handling and pressing are key, dead weight should be what the customer wants and shape too. If people want a cheap bat then they can buy a cheap bat, if people want an over dried bat then they can buy an over dried bat. If these options don't effect you then why lambaste them, if you press your bats then extol the virtues of your pressing over Tim's, if you shape your bats by hand extol the benefits of this process vs a machine process. I have actually had a bat made by you, and sadly it wasn't great (anecdotal evidence isn't always proof of anything but public forum debate adds weight to my views, CBF), but I do truly wish you a prosperous and successful career. As a final thought maybe as a refreshing change you could name some names when discussing those brands who's claims aren't true in your mind, otherwise it looks like baseless badmouthing. Ironically we all know you make some bats for Newbery but as the brand has zero ties to John Newbery it falsely trades on a reputation gained by others elsewhere.
Bruce Wayne I'm your local batter maker, ok fantastic. I am a little perplexed where Tim keeleys name has come in to this to be honest as I have never mentioned him and have nothing but admiration for what he does and has done over the years and has been a continued inspiration to what I do. You stated my products are very poor and service terrible, not sure where that has come from, your opinion on product is yours and I cannot change that and I must have done something wrong to you service wise too as if ever a customer has had an issue, which is very very rare they either get a replacement or money back no quibble. If you'd like to pop in and have a chat about this if your local please feel free in getting in touch I we can meet face to face over a coffee and chat about it.
There are few UK based companies making good money just by putting stickers on bats.
Paul I normally don't comment on videos but I really like your videos and your honesty about what you do and all... I follow your Instagram too and always comment on them and ask some strange question about crickets bats and handles just asked one question today too about the heaviest bat you have ever made and you have always answered the question which is something not many do... Will love to see your workshop😊
Sadly no legislation made in Parliament will be created as it's too small of a niche industry with few customers. Maybe something trading standards can have a look
It is always good to be circumspect before buying a cricket bat, especially in today's day and age.
I absolutely loathe and detest when professional cricketers apply stickers on their bats of products they are not using. It is misleading and dishonest.
After watching this video I reviewed the social media pages and the website of three companies whose products I have been considering buying in the future. One of them is off my list whilst the other two are still on it.
Good day paul. There is a alot off talk that handles with more rubber inserts perform better. Can u plz do a video on why do handles have rubber inserts and if yes or no if more rubber inserts increase bat performance.
dillon ramoutar I'm no expert on handles I have to say. My experience and knowledge of them comes from what I saw over the years playing and the dozens and dozens I have tested over time. I had some belting bats that had two rubber inserts in them and I know those handles were made in the uk at that time. I have tried and tested cork inserts and rubber. I have seen good and bad in both. The manufacturers tell me the cork is lighter but I've not got on with them really. I personally feel it's down to the quality of the cane used and the construction of them. I like strong stiff handles and not flexible light flimsy ones. I searched lots and lots of manufacturers and narrowed it down to firstly one that gave me good consistent quality and service but also a trustworthy company. Hope that helps
Aldred Cricket Bats . Thank you so much sir. I do agree with the strong stiff handles as i found that they are lessly to crack and as you play on wid the bat the better they begin to perform. Thank you again
One other question. How can u judge to see if a bat is pressed properly
dillon ramoutar feel and sound with a ball for me
Aldred Cricket Bats . Okay thanks mr aldred.
For someone who literally makes bats for another company (Newbery) and numerous pros sponsored by other companies this is incredibly hypocritical. I’m sure you make a fantastic product, but is it not possible that other companies are able to do this too? Always seems like if it isn’t “Aldred” then it’s substandard in some way.
Honest Truth at no point have I said that. In fact I encourage people on a constant basis to get to know their local bat maker. So I will open and honestly tell you how this works. I got approached to make a certain amount of bats for them for the pros and their bespoke bats for customers. I pondered it for about two weeks as I didn't want it to effect my own business as that is the important thing for me as I don't want to be reliant on others. We negotiated and we shuck hands, no contracts just trust. They get someone who cares about their product just as much as I do my own and I get more experience making more bats for a wider range of player. So the next step will be training others to make bats. As I'm getting more established which is the key thing here in business I am getting closer to that goal of training others up with a view that the skills will be carried on for years to come. If doing work for newbery helps me do that brilliant and if it helps myself and newbery too brilliant. So please don't state when I constantly tell people to get to know their local bat maker that I don't support the trade because it simply is not true.
Who is the best English willow suppyler
Dont you make bats for Newbury?
Ross Andrews yes that’s right if you look in their websites they openly show me doing them too.
I had just seen a couple of very speeded up videos on Instagram thought it was you. I can see what your getting at in the videos but without buying part made bats etc how are the next generation going to learn how to make bats, there's not to many big companies taking on unskilled workers to make high end bats and I would imagine there is a lack of knowledge out there hence why your doing what your doing for Newbery also partmades are not cheap to buy so you can't easily just buy 10 to improve skills on and not sell them on. Keep up the good work with your videos enjoy watching them
Ross Andrews it’s tough Ross I know to get on the ladder. I know because I had to do it myself. I’ve made it well documented that laver and wood helped me with part mades when I set about starting my own apprenticeship while I learnt to shape. Then while I was doing that I was saving up and hunting down a press whilst I taught myself to splice and handle. It was only after I was confident with pressing and handling that I started selling some as a label and sold at low prices whilst I learnt on the job so to speak. So every year I tried to add one more piece of equipment. It is very hard but not impossible and I am currently training someone up who works full time elsewhere and comes in at weekends and my aim is in the future to train more people to keep the trade alive. It may or may not happen but hopefully looking positively it will but there’s no point hiding these skills to the next generation in my mind otherwise they will be lost
Do u sale bat? I need to buy a bat
Shabz Ahmed yes if you drop me an email on paul@aldredcricketbats.com I can help you from there
Paul, you bleat on and whine about your competition in every video. Why not stop moaning and try to actually improve what you do rather than blow your own trumpet. If I were to spend my money I would never choose such a negative person as you with such a bad reputation for poor products and awful service. I would happily choose a part made bat that had been handled and pressed by Tim Keeley over you as he's miles better in every aspect of bat making and you will get a far superior product. The best brands tower above you because they do a better job, you try to push everyone else down rather than raise your standards.
Bruce Wayne thank you Bruce for your opinion. At no point have I moaned or bleated about my supposed opposition, I have always encouraged and tried to push the public towards their local bat maker, I'm passionate about our trades in this country. Your right Tim keeled is a fantastic bat maker and I truly admire what he's done over his career. I have and do always try and answer the questions I get asked on a regular basis and be open and honest about it. I am sorry that my products are in your opinion so poor and my service terrible, it's something I shall have to take a look at but I have to say I don't have many complaints that's for sure. I trust you all the luck in the world in your future whatever it is you do and look forward to possibly meeting you one day
Regards
Paul
Paul, thank you for posting a reply. You are a local bat maker (mine actually) so of course want to promote and increase your business and this video series exists to do that. My annoyance as a viewer is that you reference machine made bats and people not pressing their own bats. What difference does either make to the finished article? None. As I stated before I would take a TK part made shaped by anyone over any other bat, and the reason for that is that I want the very best performance from a bat. Tim has been making for over 40 years, running a brand for 30 years, his experience is based on success and failure. To make a shape it matters not if you do it, I do it or a chimp with a teaspoon does it, as long as the shape is what was wanted. Handling and pressing are key, dead weight should be what the customer wants and shape too. If people want a cheap bat then they can buy a cheap bat, if people want an over dried bat then they can buy an over dried bat. If these options don't effect you then why lambaste them, if you press your bats then extol the virtues of your pressing over Tim's, if you shape your bats by hand extol the benefits of this process vs a machine process. I have actually had a bat made by you, and sadly it wasn't great (anecdotal evidence isn't always proof of anything but public forum debate adds weight to my views, CBF), but I do truly wish you a prosperous and successful career.
As a final thought maybe as a refreshing change you could name some names when discussing those brands who's claims aren't true in your mind, otherwise it looks like baseless badmouthing. Ironically we all know you make some bats for Newbery but as the brand has zero ties to John Newbery it falsely trades on a reputation gained by others elsewhere.
Bruce Wayne I'm your local batter maker, ok fantastic. I am a little perplexed where Tim keeleys name has come in to this to be honest as I have never mentioned him and have nothing but admiration for what he does and has done over the years and has been a continued inspiration to what I do. You stated my products are very poor and service terrible, not sure where that has come from, your opinion on product is yours and I cannot change that and I must have done something wrong to you service wise too as if ever a customer has had an issue, which is very very rare they either get a replacement or money back no quibble. If you'd like to pop in and have a chat about this if your local please feel free in getting in touch I we can meet face to face over a coffee and chat about it.