Understanding the Grades of Willow at Trogon Cricket
Understanding the grades of willow and how they affect the performance and the price of a cricket bat is crucial when buying a new bat.
In this post, we'll delve into the different grades of English willow we stock Grade 1+, Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3, and Butterfly.
Before we jump in, what are the different grades of English willow?
English willow cricket bats come in various grades: Grade 1+ offers top-quality willows with minimal blemishes, ideal for professionals. Grade 1 has slight variations but still excellent performance. Grade 2 provides good value with some irregular grains. Grade 3 is great for developing players with more markings, while Grade 4 is economical, and suitable for beginners or casual play.
So let's jump in and go through in more detail these different grades, we will also discuss our butterfly willow, enabling you to be informed before you buy a new bat.
Grade 1+ English Willow Cricket Bats (Players Grade)
G1+ English willow cricket bats represent the pinnacle of quality. These bats are crafted from the top 5% of available willow.
With straight, even grains and minimal markings or blemishes, G1+ willow bats are the choice for serious cricketers.
Their superior performance includes excellent rebound quality and a high degree of responsiveness.
- Advantages: Offers the highest quality willow with straight, even grains and minimal blemishes, providing superior performance, excellent rebound quality, and responsiveness.
- Disadvantages: Most expensive, making it less accessible for amateur or casual players.
You can order a custom-made Grade 1+ cricket bat through us.
Grade 1 English Willow Cricket Bats
Grade 1 English willow cricket bats are also high-quality but might have slight variations compared to Grade 1+.
They usually feature 6-10 straight grains with some minor cosmetic blemishes that do not affect performance.
These bats are still excellent for serious players looking for high performance.
- Advantages: High-quality willow with 6-10 straight grains, delivering great performance suitable for serious players. Minor blemishes do not affect the bat's functionality.
- Disadvantages: Slightly less perfect than Grade 1+ in terms of appearance, and still relatively expensive.
You can order a custom-made grade 1 cricket bat through us.
Grade 2 Cricket Bats
A step down in terms of aesthetic perfection but still great in performance, Grade 2 English willow cricket bats might have more irregular grains and a few more blemishes.
However, they offer a balanced combination of performance and value, making them popular among club-level players.
- Advantages: Good balance of performance and value. Suitable for club-level players, it offers decent playability with more irregular grains and blemishes than higher grades.
- Disadvantages: Aesthetic imperfections are more noticeable, and performance is slightly less superior compared to Grade 1 and 1+.
You can order a custom-made grade 2 cricket bat through us.
Grade 3 English Willow Cricket Bats
Grade 3 English willow cricket bats are often the choice for budding players. The willow in these bats may have irregular grains and more noticeable markings.
Nonetheless, they still provide good performance and are a cost-effective option for players developing their skills.
- Advantages: Cost-effective, making it ideal for budding players. Provides good performance despite more noticeable markings and irregular grains.
- Disadvantages: Lower quality willow with more cosmetic flaws and reduced performance compared to higher grades.
You can order a custom-made grade 3 cricket bat through us.
Grade 4 English Willow Cricket Bats
Grade 4 English willow cricket bats are the most economical in our range. They usually have more prominent blemishes and irregular grains.
These bats are often covered with a protective face to enhance durability, making them suitable for beginners or casual players and kids bats.
- Advantages: Most economical option, suitable for beginners or casual players. Often covered with a protective face to enhance durability.
- Disadvantages: Prominent blemishes and irregular grains, lower performance level, and often less aesthetically pleasing.
Butterfly Willow Grades
In addition to the traditional grades, we also offer butterfly willow bats in grades 1, 2, and 3.
Butterfly willow is known for its distinctive markings, which resemble butterfly wings.
While we have a limited stock of these, they are sought after for their unique aesthetics and playing characteristics.
You can order a custom-made butterfly willow cricket bat through us.
Alternative Willows: Kashmir and Dutch Hybrid
For those seeking cost-effective alternatives, we offer Kashmir and Dutch hybrid bats.
- Kashmir willow, from India, is heavier but offers good durability and performance.
- Dutch hybrid, a newer entrant in the market, provides a balance between performance and affordability.
Both are fantastic choices for players on a budget - here at Trogon we have a regular stock of Dutch hybrid and Kashmir willow and if we don't have one that matches your personal requirements, we can make a custom-made bat for you.
Conclusion
Trogon Cricket is committed to crafting hand-made cricket bats that cater to all shapes, sizes, and weights.
Our full customization service ensures that each bat meets the batter's personal requirements.
From a range of English willow cricket bats to Kashmir and Dutch hybrid alternatives, we have a bat for every player at every price point.
With us, you can choose the handle shape, the number of pieces, and much more, ensuring that your cricket bat is as unique as your playing style.
Remember, whether you're a professional player or just starting out, the right bat can make a significant difference in your game. Explore our range and find the perfect bat for you!
For all custom bat enquiries contact Len on Len@trogoncricket.com or WhatsApp +44 07539000063 and he will answer all your questions.
For alternative willow options please have a read of;