Bat Care and Knocking In

Your Bulldog has not been knocked in.

We have done all we can and now we need you to lavish some TLC on your new Bat.
The blade needs two separate light coats of Raw Linseed Oil. You need to allow the first coat to dry fully before applying the second coat. Apply the oil with your fingertips or a soft cloth. Concentrate on the face, edges and toe, assuming we haven’t fitted a toe-guard for you.
There is no need to oil the back or shoulders. Do not over oil your new bat.

There is no need to oil the back or shoulders. Do not over oil your new bat.

Now you are ready to start the knocking in process. This should take you a couple of hours. The aim is to get your blade used to the impact of leather cricket balls. Work on the face and the edges. Use a good quality old ball or a bat-conditioning mallet. Be patient, increase the impact pressure progressively and keep working until you have a compact rounded appearance. You are now ready to use an old ball and have a few throw downs in the nets.

Now that the oil has completely dried and the knocking in process has been completed we would recommend that you give the face of your bat a very light sanding and apply a clear anti-scuff blade face. Be careful when applying the blade face. Trim it to the correct size before you apply it. The facing will minimise surface damage and really help protect you bat without affecting its performance. Blade faces work; they are the best way to prolong your bat’s life.

Recommended Bat Sizes

Size 4 – 4’9” to 4’11”
Size 5 – 4’11” to 5’1”
Size 6 – 5’1” to 5’4”
Harrow – 5’4” to 5’8”
Full Size – 5’8”+