Reducing Your Handle Width: A Guide to Customizing Your Cricket Bat Handle

A cricket bat handle that suits your grip perfectly can significantly enhance your batting experience, making it easier to play your shots with precision and control.

Conversely, a handle that doesn't feel right can hinder your performance and cause discomfort. At Trogon, we understand the importance of a well-fitted handle and offer specialized services to help you achieve the perfect handle for your cricket bat.

But who would require a handle diameter reduction?

Cricketers who find their bat handle too thick for comfortable grip or control would need a cricket bat handle diameter reduction. This customization is ideal for players seeking a more tailored fit to enhance their batting performance, ensuring better handling, comfort, and precision in their shots.

Right, let's jump in and get all the nitty gritty details of handle reductions.

Understanding Different Types of Batting Handles

Cricket bat handles come in three primary shapes, each offering a unique feel and suitability for different batting styles:

1. Semi-Oval Handle

The semi-oval handle is a popular choice among cricketers. It combines the best of both worlds, offering the comfortable grip of an oval handle with the flexibility of a round handle. This shape provides a natural fit in the hands, allowing for better control and reducing the risk of the bat turning in your hands during a shot. The semi-oval handle is especially favored by batters who play a wide range of shots and need a reliable grip - and this is the go-to handle shape we make at Trogon.

2. Oval Handle

The oval handle is designed to offer a more ergonomic grip. Its slightly flattened shape fits snugly in the hand, providing enhanced control and stability. batters who prefer a firm and stable grip, especially when playing power shots, often opt for the oval handle. It prevents the bat from rotating in the hands and offers a more secure hold, which can be particularly beneficial when playing fast bowlers.

3. Round Handle

The round handle is traditional and straightforward, providing a uniform grip throughout. It allows for greater wrist mobility, which can be advantageous for players who rely on wristy shots and flicks. The round handle is versatile and suits a variety of batting styles. It is often preferred by players who value the ability to adjust their grip quickly and easily during play.

What ever type of handle you choose, it's worth noting that there is always some tappering increse towards the tabs/splice end of the handle as this helps with making the bat more stable and less likely to break.

The below picture shows the tabs area on the bat.

Customizing Your Handle: Different Diameters and Sizes

Each bat maker has their unique approach to crafting these handle shapes, resulting in different diameters and sizes. While one manufacturer's semi-oval handle might feel perfect to one player, another's might not suit them at all.

This variability underscores the importance of personal preference and the need for customization.

What If the Handle Doesn't Feel Right?

Even with the variety of handle shapes and sizes available, there are times when a bat's handle just doesn't feel right. It might be too thick, too thin, or simply uncomfortable in your hands.

This can be a significant issue, as an ill-fitting handle can negatively impact your performance and enjoyment of the game.

The good news is that at Trogon, we have extensive experience in cricket bat handle weight reduction and cricket bat handle diameter reduction.

Whether you have a round handle with a 31mm diameter that needs to be reduced to a thin 28mm diameter, we can make the necessary adjustments to ensure your bat feels perfect in your hands.

The Process of Reducing Handle Diameter

Reducing the diameter of a cricket bat handle involves a process to ensure the handle remains structurally sound and comfortable.

Here's a detailed look at how we achieve this at Trogon:

• 1 - Assessment: We start by assessing the current handle size and shape. Understanding the existing dimensions is crucial for determining how much handle kane needs to be removed.

• 2 - Measurement: Precise measurements are taken to identify the target diameter. This step is critical to ensure the handle meets your specific requirements.

• 3 - Shaping: Using specialized tools, we carefully shave down the handle to the desired diameter. This process requires skill and precision to avoid compromising the handle's integrity.

The below image shows a handle that was 33mm round and the customer (pro cricketer who is very specific about his handles) wanted it to be 29mm round.  The process involved measuring individual inches and then shaping accordingly until a perfectly round 28mm handle was produced.

• 4 - Rasping: After the shaping process, the handle is rasped to remove any rough edges. This step ensures the handle feels comfortable in your hands.

• 5. Finishing Touches: Finally, we bind the handle and then add a grip.

The below pictures shows our pump gripping machine.  We still use a traditional cone gripping tool, but this is much more fun! 

Our goal is to ensure that your bat handle feels just right, providing the perfect balance and grip to enhance your performance on the field.

Types of Grips at Trogon

Grips play a very important part, and at Trogon, we offer three types of grips, each varying in weight and style, to cater to the preferences of different players:

• Coil Grip: This is the heaviest grip available at Trogon, weighing 2.2 ounces. It provides excellent control and a firm hold, making it ideal for players who prefer a heavier feel to their bat.

The below image shows and example of the coil batting grips we use.

• Ring Grip: Our mid-weight grip option, weighing 1.7 ounces. It strikes a balance between weight and comfort, suitable for players who want a moderate weight without compromising on control.

The below image shows and example of the ring batting grips we use.

• Excel Grip: This is our latest and lightest grip, weighing only 1.2 ounces. It is designed for players who prefer a lighter bat, allowing for quicker hand movement and faster reaction times.

The below image shows and example of the excel batting grips we use.

Trogon's Repair and Weight Reduction Services

At Trogon, we offer a comprehensive range of repair and weight reduction services to meet all your cricket bat needs. Our services include:

• Handle Repair and Replacement: If your bat handle is damaged or broken, we can repair or replace it, ensuring it performs like new.

• Weight Reduction: We can adjust the overall weight of your bat.

• Customization: From altering the balance and pick-up to modifying the handle shape and diameter, we offer full customization services to tailor your bat to your exact preferences.

Conclusion

At Trogon, we pride ourselves on crafting handmade cricket bats for all shapes and sizes, weights, and middle positions, either high, mid or low.

Our commitment to customization ensures that every bat we produce meets the unique requirements of the individual batter. We offer a vast selection of Grade 1, Grade 2, and  Grade 3 clefts of English willow, allowing for a range of customization options to suit all budget requirements.

Whether you need a cricket bat weight reduction or a cricket bat handle diameter reduction, Trogon is here to provide expert services to enhance your game. 

For all custom bat enquiries contact Len on Len@trogoncricket.com or WhatsApp +44 07539000063 and he will answer all your questions, or: