How To Take Care of Gunn & Moore Cricket Bats
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Choosing a cricket bat can be an overwhelming decision, with the market being saturated with top brands and thousands of options with different specifications. However, if you’re in the market for a Gunn & Moore cricket bat, you know you’ve already made the right choice. Just walk into a cricket shop near you and choose the one that feels most comfortable for you. All GM cricket bats are made by world-renowned craftsmen so rest assured, you’ll be leaving with a professional-level product.
However, cricket bats demand proper care and maintenance if you want them to last for years. If you don’t take care of your bat the right way, not only will its life reduce, but you’ll also hurt your performance. In this post, we’ll help readers learn how to take care of Gunn & Moore cricket bats so they can get the most out of their investment.
Let’s get started!
Gunn & Moore uses the highest quality of willow in their bat making, which is why proper bat care is equally important from the brand. With their GM Bat Care service, bat owners can get their bats professionally knocked in by experienced in-house batmakers, who are equipped with top-of-the-line care products, such as raw linseed oil and an anti-scuff cover, as well as a fully-packed workshop for any repairs.
Once you’ve made the purchase, you would be tempted to take it out for a test run in the nets or street. However, before you use it, you should take a few steps to boost its durability and performance. On average, a cricket ball will hit it at speeds between 50-90 mph so it’s a smart idea to have prepared it for the impact. Here’s how to take care of your bat the right way:
Before using , apply a light coat of raw linseed oil to the blade, edges, and toe using a soft cloth 3 to 4 times for at least 2-3 days. You can use sandpaper to clean the bat before every application to ensure the bat is dry every time. The purpose of doing this is to maintain some moisture in the grains to prevent premature cracking or splitting.
Knocking-in involves using a wooden mallet to compress the grains to prevent cracking and splitting as well as promoting crispier strokeplay. All you have to do is lightly hit the face of the bat evenly for a few minutes and you’re good to go. You can also hit the edges but only at 45 degrees to ensure that you don’t damage them. Moreover, you don’t need to knock in all of the bat, only the sweet spot and area below the splice.
Another great way to protect your bat is taping the edges and front end, which will hold the bat in place and limit the impact of the ball which causes wear and tear. Plus, you can also choose the thickness levels to suit your style of play. Most tapes can be used on every part of the bat, including the face, edges, and toe, to add an extra layer of strength and durability.
If you want to take your GM Cricket bat’s protection to another level, you can use a substance called Extratec. This is essentially a thin film that you can apply on your bat’s hitting areas like the sweet spot. All you have to do is buy it and stick it, just like applying a screen protector for your iPhone. Many protection sheets in the market are self-adhesive so you don’t have to use any glue or liquid to stick them. And lastly, this sheet is a great alternative to using tapes that add unnecessary weight to the bat.
The toe of a cricket bat is one of its most vulnerable areas not only because of impact but also due to contact with wet surfaces. By opting for a toe guard, you can potentially add more years to your Gunn & Moore cricket bat.
Conclusion
All the methods mentioned before are meant to help bat owners prevent premature damages such as cracking and chipping. Gunn & Moore cricket bats are premium-quality products so they don’t come cheap. Therefore, you need to take every measure to ensure you get the best return on your investment in terms of performance and durability.