Anticipation.....

[Boneman]

If you look in the hand of the little feller on the left there... you'll see a wee image of a bat that I cobbled together in 1979. The handle is magnesium... ergonomically machined and yes... offset by about 15 degrees.

Oddly enough I guess I wasn't overtly clear minded back then as the blade portion itself was really not much more than three ply luan plywood... the stuff cheap doors were made of at the time. Though I will say... it was light.

That blade failed the other day... stress cracks discovered at the handle / blade juction was causing a dubious amount of flexure. So I quickly replaced it with a 5 ply blade cannibalized from a recently procured hardbat. The difference in performance... IMPROVEMENT actually... is noticable enough to warrant having to become re-accustomed to it. It has always worn Yasaka MKV 2.0mm so that is not the issue. The new "wood" is quicker it would seem.

Enough bloviation there... What I am anticipating is the arrival next week of all the accoutremants and materials for the new bat... a Nittaku Tenaly Carbon... and the latest greatest 2.0mm stuff from Yasaka that was actually developed this century.

Should be GREAT FUN!!!!

I've not had this much anticipation since taking delivery on the last new car I procured!

[Annie]

Someone from another forum posted this link about Carbon materials being used in bike frames. Would the Carbon being used in your new blade be made of the same material and if so are you not concerned?

[Assybish]

My observation is that the blade actually makes more difference than the rubbers in terms of ball speed. Generally the heavier and stiffer the blade the faster the ball comes off unless it is so heavy that one physically cannot swing as fast!.
Carbon laminated blades are usually rather stiff and fast ( can be difficult to control and they make a distinctive "crack" as the ball is struck hard)
Glass fibre is slightly less stiff heavier and possibly slower but gives a sound more like a wood lam. blade.
There are so called flexible carbon blades but haven't tried them as I like to belt the C**** out of the ball!
The rubber affects spin and throw angle and to a lesser extent than the blade (IN MY EXPERIENCE) ball speed
So put all the factors together include sweetspot size, peripheral weighting and centre of mass you can play the permutations for ever!

Hence the ANTICIPTION - ENJOY!

[Boneman]

To the best of my knowledge "carbon fibre"... is actully graphite. Been using that in fishing poles, etc. for innumerable years now... and aside from greatly enhancing a fishing pole's potential for drawing lightning I don't think there's any issues.

As I stated... I had to re-blade my olde bat... and using the 5 ply material it's considerably firmer. Enough to make a noticable difference.... but then, as I mentioned... the olde blade was only 3 ply AND cracked... the crack, I believe was greatly contributing to the un-noticable incremental degradation of the bat on the whole.

I think what will be the greatest difference between the bats will be weight. Albeit magnesium... that handle is quite heavy.... and actually the main laminations of the blade do NOT pass into the handle itself.

So the blade itself will be livlier... and if it's the same "feel wise" as a graphite fishing pole... more sensitive. I'm hoping the newly developed Yasaka V-stage rubber meets up to it's description. One of those fine line things... "If it sounds too good to be true..." vs "You get what you pay for...)

To be honest... the products available to us in this sport... the selection, etc., even pursuant to TABLES... is nearly overwhelming.

I was just thrilled to find a blade with an offset handle!

[Annie]

Someone from another forum posted this link about Carbon materials being used in bike frames. Would the Carbon being used in your new blade be made of the same material and if so are you not concerned?

Just realised.............the link..............

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7408705.stm (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7408705.stm)

[Boneman]

Interesting article... I'll have to re-read in-depth but if nothing else, if I have to shape the handle or violate the integrity in any way, I'll certainly keep in mind the wee nanotubes are harmful.

I'm not sure if the "Carbon" blade uses actual nanotube technology but will excersize the same PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) that I would use say... when I'm renewing the linings on the brakes in the car.

Other than that, the only way I see these "tubes" breaking loose and becoming airborne is if I were to fracture the blade...

At that point I would think nanotubes would be the lesser of my worries.

Again... thanks for the info.

Interesting indeed...

[Boneman]

Wow... cobbled the new bat together and took it for a test drive today. I am well pleased. Have to adapt to it yet... but the FEEL this thing gives me for the ball...

I'll post a pic when I get the chance.

[Annie]

Sounds really interesting Boneman and after reading your posts I'm sure you are inspiring others to try something new. Nice one! :thumbsup:

[Boneman]

Well... you've seen my bat from daze of olde... so when I came across the Tenaly with the offset handle I was quite pleasantly surprised... for a couple of reasons... one, that someone else had the same idea (albeit, I use it contrary to what they think) and two, that apparantly having an offset handle is LEGAL :-D

Having noted many years ago the difference between a standard fibreglass fishing pole and a graphite composite pole... I was expecting an increase in "sensitivity". It's truly wonderful when something one procures lives up to and even exceeds one's expectations. Particularly when there's a none too insignificant investment being made.

Pics later.... as the bat is at work where I play.

[DaveR]

I remember playing with an offset handle, which i tried off someone at some tournament or other and ............... the balance i felt was difficult although its maybe because im familiar with "standard" blades..........

Pictures welcome Boneman!

[Annie]

Yes some pictures would be great. You never know you could be starting a trend here!

[Boneman]

here they be!

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b123/bonemanrides/IMG_0981Medium.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b123/bonemanrides/IMG_0982Medium.jpg

Olde bat on the left.... NEW bat on the right.