At B3, we frequently get requests for ultra-light bats with massive profiles. Often, customers bring in a bat they want replicated, believing it weighs 2lb 8oz, only for the scales to reveal it’s at least 2oz heavier!
The truth? Unicorns don’t exist and there’s always a trade-off. Let’s break down the key factors that influence bat size, weight, and performance.
The Truth Behind Bat Size & Weight
A big bat usually means a heavier bat. While some manufacturers claim to create huge yet featherlight bats, it’s only possible through compromises that can often detrimentally affect both the durability and performance of the bat.
How Some Manufacturers Appear to Achieve Larger, Lighter Bats
Over-Drying Willow
Some brands dry willow below the optimal 10-12% moisture level, making it lighter but also brittle and short-lived, leading to quicker degradation and reduced power retention over time. Over-dried bats may initially perform well but tend to crack and lose performance over time. Some manufacturers leave unfinished bats in extreme heat or use kilns to further reduce moisture, and therefore, reduce the weight.
B3 maximise both longevity and performance because we only use premium willow from JS Wrights, the world’s largest and most respected cricket bat willow company. They have standardised their hi-tec drying process at 10% - 12%, maximising both longevity and performance.
Reducing Bat Dimensions
We are seeing an increasing number of non-B3 bats in our repair shop that are significantly narrower than they should be. Each millimetre shaved off the edge does two things: it reduces weight by up to an ounce and makes the edges appear larger because they are nearer to the spine (centre) of the bat.
The Laws of Cricket state that a bat must not exceed 4.25 inches (108mm) in width, yet some manufacturers are producing bats as narrow as 100mm. These practices are all well and good if the customer is fully aware; if not, it’s misleading.
At B3, a standard adult bat is 107mm wide. This allows for the fitting of a protective anti-scuff sheet to reach the 108mm while still ensuring the bat complies with MCC Laws and fits through the umpire’s gauge.
We do make narrower bats to achieve lower weights in our Academy-sized and female bats, but the customer is always informed.
Additionally, our new Pro Ultra Range is crafted at 106mm to optimize wood distribution in the middle of the bat. Professional players, with their higher skill levels, prefer this design as they consistently hit the middle more often than most.
Light Pressing
A softer press makes bats appear bigger because it doesn’t compress the blade as much. Pressing typically compresses around 5-8mm of willow, and a softer press results in less wood being compacted. However, this is counterproductive because it means the bat requires significantly more knocking-in to reach a state where it won’t show seam marks from a new ball.
It is far better to have a bat that is properly pressed, where the willow fibres are compacted evenly, ensuring you don’t need to spend excessive time knocking it in while maximising both performance and resilience.
B3’s expert pressing process ensures an ideal balance -offering durability without compromising on playability.
Optical Illusions with Flat Faces
Some brands use flat press rollers because a flat bat face makes the edges appear larger. While this makes the bat visually impressive, it removes the traditional rounded camber, making the edges more susceptible to damage.
At B3, our standard is a face camber of 3-4mm. Additionally, we bone the edges for better durability and performance, ensuring your bat lasts longer while still offering excellent playability.
Light or Thin Handles
A lighter handle may reduce dead weight, but it also affects balance and durability. The type of cane, moisture content, and internal components like rubber or cork springs determine handle quality. Some manufacturers use thinner handles to further reduce weight, leading to poor balance and a bottom-heavy feel. These handles are also more subject to breaking.
At B3, we use high-quality, well-structured cane handles that enhance feel and control. Customers can choose their preferred handle thickness and shape, which can significantly affect balance, grip, and shot-making ability.
Using Naturally Low-Density Willow
Even though all our willow is dried to the same percentage and turned into uniform-sized blades, weight can vary due to natural density differences. Low-density clefts account for less than 10% of English willow supply, making them quite rare.
At B3, we precisely measure willow density and match it to customer needs and the bat we are making for them. The natural low density willow clefts are reserved for making slightly bigger than average or lighter than average bats.
Concave Bat Design
One of the techniques used by bat makers to reduce weight is to shave wood from the back of the bat in the area between the edge and the spine, often referred to as ‘scooping’ or ‘concaving.’ This enables the bat maker to keep the edges and spine sizeable while maintaining a lighter overall weight.
At B3, we precisely apply concave shaping to some of our bat designs to produce large-looking but light bats. For example, our Tempo and Sublime models use this approach to deliver powerful yet well-balanced bats, making them a popular choice for players seeking a lighter bat without compromising on profile size. Additionally, because we shape our bats using the most advanced CAD/CNC technology in the world, the precision and balance are unmatched.
Thin Shoulders and Toes
As well as thin handles, many bat makers save weight by having thin toes and shoulders. If these areas, or the neck of the bat (where the blade is spliced with the handle), is too thin, it can cause breaks and cracks. The same applies to the toe area - if it is too thin, it will have less chance of withstanding the pressures of a cricket ball.
At B3 we ensure every bat design has a strong shoulder, neck and toe profile to maximise strength and durability.
Stickers, Grips and Scuff Sheets
Stickers, grips, and protective scuff sheets can add 3 to 5 ounces to a bat’s weight. Some brands use thin, low-quality grips and minimal stickers to keep quoted weights down, while others quote the ‘blank bat’ weight before these finishing touches are added.
At B3, we use high-quality grips, stickers, and protective sheets, but our quoted bat weights always include these additions - so there are no surprises.
Was This Helpful?
We hope the above helps you to understand some of the key considerations when choosing your next cricket bat. At B3, we believe in transparency, quality, and craftsmanship. We have hundreds of bats in stock, or we can make one tailored to your exact needs.
The B3 Factory Tour is a must, and the kettle is always on! If you can’t make it to the factory, check out the virtual B3 Factory Tour with David 'Bumble' Lloyd via our website b3cricket.com or YouTube channel @b3cricket.
Finally, if you’re in the market for a new bat, we’d love to help you find your perfect B3 belter!
Regards
Michael
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