Is this batty?

[AJB Temple]

What we have here is making a cricket bat from tree to, well, bat. For your delectation and delight we also see a bloke getting his hand very close to a great big wadkin circular saw and other things that make you wonder if the manager is bats.

 

[AndyT]

Thanks Adrian - a fascinating, pragmatic blend of machine and hand work.

 

[duke]

Good entertainment Adrian, as Andy says above, nice blend of machine and handwork.
Seeing only old guys doing the work, it's about time to train some young ones.
Or maybe I missed others or they wanted the best in the video.

 

[Mike G]

I used Duncan Fearnley bats for most of my career. They were made in Worcester. He had the first replicating machines churning out much of his production, but all of the pro's bats were made my hand. Duncan himself would still make some of them. Roughed out from cleft staves with a draw knife, the only machines used were a table saw for cutting the V of the splice, and a lathe for making the handle. A visit to the factory was one of the highlights of my year.

 

[AJB Temple]

What surprised me, as a cricket ignoramus really, was the curvature on the bat he made. Almost spoon like. I thought they were straight. Offspring was very keen on cricket and we spent hours knocking in his various bats with a special wooden mallet. He doesn't play now as it's not really a thing so much in the Netherlands. The drawer knife work in the video looks very natural.