Behind The Drawknife: Thoughts from the workshop

Bow or no Bow?

Bow or no Bow?

Samuel Cross

Bow has become one of the biggest talking points in modern cricket bat design, with heavily curved profiles now common across retail ranges. But does more bow actually improve performance,...

Bow or no Bow?

Samuel Cross

Bow has become one of the biggest talking points in modern cricket bat design, with heavily curved profiles now common across retail ranges. But does more bow actually improve performance,...

Players Grade Cricket Bats

Players Grade Cricket Bats

Samuel Cross

Players Grade is often misunderstood. We explain what it actually means, how density affects bat size and performance, and why grain count is not the key factor most people think...

Players Grade Cricket Bats

Samuel Cross

Players Grade is often misunderstood. We explain what it actually means, how density affects bat size and performance, and why grain count is not the key factor most people think...

Where do we source our willow?

Where do we source our willow?

Samuel Cross

OX29 Bat Doctor explains where its English cricket willow comes from, why sourcing locally matters, and why new laminated bat rules pose a real threat to UK craftsmanship.  

Where do we source our willow?

Samuel Cross

OX29 Bat Doctor explains where its English cricket willow comes from, why sourcing locally matters, and why new laminated bat rules pose a real threat to UK craftsmanship.  

Player stories - Tom Powell

Player stories - Tom Powell

Samuel Cross

Tom Powell was one of my earliest custom bat buyers. This player story looks at his journey, the evolution of his bats, and how we both developed along the way....

Player stories - Tom Powell

Samuel Cross

Tom Powell was one of my earliest custom bat buyers. This player story looks at his journey, the evolution of his bats, and how we both developed along the way....

A wet winter

A wet winter

Samuel Cross

A wet winter brings constant rain and damp air, and that has a real impact on cricket bat making. From rising moisture levels in willow to longer drying times and...

A wet winter

Samuel Cross

A wet winter brings constant rain and damp air, and that has a real impact on cricket bat making. From rising moisture levels in willow to longer drying times and...

About OX29 bats

About OX29 bats

Samuel Cross

Handmade cricket bats crafted from hand-selected English willow. From junior and entry-level bats through to premium and custom Players Grade options, all OX29 bats are built to perform.

About OX29 bats

Samuel Cross

Handmade cricket bats crafted from hand-selected English willow. From junior and entry-level bats through to premium and custom Players Grade options, all OX29 bats are built to perform.