English Willow Cleft: A Comprehensive Guide From Cleft to Cricket Bat
The art of making a cricket bat is a meticulous process that combines traditional craftsmanship and tools with a deep understanding of the English willow clefts.
At Trogon Cricket, we pride ourselves on creating handmade cricket bats tailored to meet each batter's unique requirements.
But why is English Willow so sought after for cricket bats?
English willow is highly sought after for cricket bats due to its lightweight, yet durable nature, providing excellent shock absorption and a superior feel. Its tight grain structure enhances performance, offering a larger sweet spot and consistent playability, making it ideal for high-quality cricket bats.
This blog post will delve into the intricate journey of an English willow cleft as it transforms into a premium cricket bat, illuminating each step of our cricket bat-making process along the way.
So let's delve straight in.
English Willow Clefts Arrive at the Workshop
The journey of making a cricket bat begins when the English willow clefts arrive at our workshop.
These clefts are the raw material for our bats and are sourced from finest willow suppliers in the UK.
Upon arrival, each cleft is carefully inspected for quality, grain structure, and moisture content.
This initial assessment is crucial as it determines the potential of the cleft to be shaped into a high-performing cricket bat.
The image below shows the cleft arriving at the workshop.
Cutting Clefts to Length and Width
Once approved, the clefts are cut to the desired length and width. This step is critical in the cricket bat making process, as it sets the foundation for the bat's final dimensions.
Precision is key here, as even minor deviations can affect the bat's balance and performance. I use traditional planes and saws to ensure each cut is clean and accurate and shapes to perfection.
Edges Get Planed
The next step involves planning the edges of the willow cleft. This process smoothens the rough edges and starts to give shape to the bat's profile.
Planning is done with utmost care to maintain the integrity of the wood and ensure evenness across the bat's surface and edges and a sharp plane blade is essential!
This stage is vital for laying the groundwork for the bat's balance and weight distribution.
The above image of me in the workshop planning the edges of a handled cleft, getting it to the right width before I start shaping the cleft.
The First Light Press
The first light press of an English Willow Cleft is a delicate yet essential part of the cricket bat making process. We have written extensively about cricket bat pressing.
During this stage, the cleft undergoes a gentle pressing to compress the wood fibers. This compression enhances the bat's strength and resilience, preparing it for the rigors of the game.
The light press is performed with precision to avoid over-pressing, which can reduce the bat's performance - water is added to the cleft to stop splitting.
The above image shows me pressing the raw cleft. I've prepared the cleft from a cleaning-the-face perspective and added enough water to the face to stop it from cracking under pressure. Then its a case of pressing, listening to the performance to understand when the cleft is ready.
Adding the Handle to the Cleft
Attaching the handle to the cleft is a pivotal moment in making a cricket bat. The handle, typically made from cane and rubber, (although all our handles are made from cane and cork as the cork is lighter), is carefully fitted into the cleft.
This step requires a high level of skill to ensure a seamless and strong joint, as the handle plays a significant role in the bat's feel and performance.
The alignment and fit of the handle are meticulously checked to guarantee optimal balance and control - in the trade this is called splicing and takes years to perfect and multiple jigs to make sure the dimensions are perfect.
The above image shows two clefts that have been handled.
The Second Press
The second press is more intense than the first, further compressing the wood fibers for increased durability and performance.
This stage of the cricket bat making process requires a keen eye for detail, as the pressing must be uniform across the bat's face. The aim is to create a bat that can withstand the impact of the ball while maintaining its shape and integrity over time.
As a bat maker we test the performance of the bat during the pressing cycle, we are listing and feeling the ping and rebound to make sure the cleft is pressed to perfection.
Shaping the Shoulders and Toe
Shaping the shoulders and toe of the bat is where the cleft starts to resemble a finished cricket bat.
This process involves carving and whittling the wood to achieve the desired profile.
The shoulders and toe are shaped to ensure a smooth transition from the handle to the blade, optimizing the bat's weight distribution and enhancing its pick-up.
We do the shoulders and toe at this stage before the shaping, so when shaping we can constantly pick-up the bat and feel the balance.
The above image shows me using a traditional drawknife to start the shaping of the process of shaping the shoulders.
Shaping and Refinement
The shaping and refinement stage is where the English willow cleft truly takes on its final form.
We work diligently to refine the bat's shape, ensuring it meets the batter's specific requirements. This includes adjusting the bat's curves, edges, and spine to achieve the perfect balance and weight and we only use traditional hand tools, including various different planes, spokeshaves and other traditional tools.
Attention to detail is paramount, as each bat is crafted to cater to individual playing styles and preferences and the desired weight.
The above image shows me using a traditional wooden plane (albeit this plane is new) to start shaping the toe of the cricket bat. This wooden tool (wooden are the best) is used for the more intricate elements of shaping cricket bats.
Edges are Boned
Boning the edges is a traditional technique in the cricket bat making process that involves compressing the edges of the bat with a special tool, typically made from bone or a hard synthetic material.
This process hardens the edges, making them more resistant to damage and wear. It also helps in creating a larger sweet spot, enhancing the bat's performance.
The above image shows me using our boning tool (which is hard wood between an old cricket stump). Some wax is added to the tool, and then the boning starts on the edges, and I also do the shoulders.
Trogon Top Tip
Ever wondered why its called boning? The image below shows a traditional boning tool, and yes, that is a piece of 'bone' between the wooden handles. It is quite amazing.
Sanding and Waxing
Sanding smoothens the bat's surface, preparing it for the final finishing touches.
We use a variety of sandpapers to achieve a smooth, polished surface.
After sanding, the bat is waxed to protect the wood and enhance its appearance.
The waxing not only gives the bat a lustrous finish but also helps in preserving the wood and maintaining its moisture content.
Binding the Handle
The handle is then wrapped with binding to provide comfort and better control for the batter before the grip is added.
This grip is crucial for reducing the impact of vibrations on the batter's hands and ensuring a firm hold on the bat.
The above picture is me using our custom-built cricket bat binding machine. First, the cricket bat is attached to the lathe, then glue is added to the handle and then the twine wrapping starts. The machine starts slow and then gets faster throughout the handle - you can watch this process in more detail by checking out our socials.
Adding the Grips, Stickers, and Face Tape
The final step in making a cricket bat involves adding the grips, stickers, and face tape, if requested by the customer.
The grips are carefully selected to match the batter's preference for thickness and texture.
Stickers are then applied to the bat, showcasing our Trogon Cricket brand, the bats shape name and adding to the bat's aesthetic appeal. Face tape is an optional addition that provides extra protection to the bat's surface.
Conclusion
At Trogon Cricket, we are committed to making a cricket bat that meets the highest standards of quality and performance.
Our handcrafted bats are made from the finest English willow clefts, ensuring durability and exceptional playability. With a wide selection of Grade 1, Grade 2, and Grade 3 clefts available, we offer customization options to suit all shapes, sizes, and weights, catering to batters with varying styles and preferences.
Our pricing is designed to accommodate all budget requirements, making our premium cricket bats accessible to a broad range of players.
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6-month guarantee on all cricket bats. That means if you purchase a bat through us and it breaks, as long as it has been knocked in properly, we will replace it like for like. This is our commitment to you on top of your statutory protections when buying products online.
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