How to Make a Cricket Bat from a Part Made English Willow Cleft

If you have ever wanted to make your own cricket bat, starting with a part made English willow cleft is the perfect way to do it.

Whether you are a hobbyist, a cricketer looking for a more personal connection to your bat, or an aspiring bat maker, using a part made cleft allows you to skip the most technical and machine dependant stages and focus on shaping and finishing your own blade.

In this guide, we will walk you through exactly what a part made cleft is, why it is the best starting point, and how to turn it into a finished cricket bat.

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What Is a Part Made English Willow Cleft?

A part made cleft is a cricket bat that has already gone through the early stages of production. This includes pressing, handle fitting and a basic shape being formed. What you receive is a bat blank that is structurally complete, but still requires final shaping, sanding and finishing.

This makes it ideal for beginners and intermediate bat makers, as it removes the need for specialist machinery while still giving you full control over the final result.

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Why Start with a Part Made Cleft?

Making a cricket bat entirely from scratch requires significant experience and equipment, including pressing machines and handle splicing tools.

Starting with a part made English willow cleft allows you to:

• Skip the most technical stages of bat making
• Work with professionally pressed willow
• Focus on shaping the profile and pickup
• Create a bat tailored to your own preferences

It is the perfect balance between craftsmanship and accessibility.

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Tools You Will Need

To finish a part made cricket bat, you do not need a full workshop setup, but a few key tools will help you achieve the best result:

• Drawknife
• Planes / Travishers
• Orbital Sander
• Bench grinder & Polishing Mop
• Steel bar or old sink / bath for boning

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Step-by-Step: Finishing Your Cricket Bat

1. Final Shaping

Start by refining the shape of the bat. This includes adjusting the spine, edges and overall profile to suit the finished bat you desire. This is usually done best by drawing the edge of the bat you desire with an old bat as a template. Take your time here, as this stage defines how the bat will feel in your hands.

2. Sanding

Once you are happy with the shape, sand the bat using progressively finer sandpaper. This is done best with an orbital sander, or drums if you have them. This smooths out the surface and prepares the blade for finishing.

3. Oiling

Apply a light coat of linseed oil to protect the willow and enhance its long term performance. Allow it to dry fully before moving to the next step.

4. Knocking-In

Knocking-in compresses the fibres of the willow and prepares the bat for use. This can be done using a bat mallet or by hand, gradually building up the hardness of the surface. We recommend all bats are played in, in the nets regardless of how much knocking in they've had.

5. Final Touches

Add any finishing touches such as polishing, edge tape, scuff sheers, or a toe guard if desired. Your bat is now ready to take to the crease!

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Understanding English Willow

English willow is the preferred material for cricket bats due to its unique balance of strength and responsiveness. Each cleft is different, with variations in grain, density and appearance. Natural characteristics such as small drying splits can sometimes appear, particularly in lower grades of willow. These are a normal part of the material and do not affect performance when properly worked.

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Why Quality Clefts Matter

The quality of your finished bat is heavily influenced by the cleft you start with.

A professionally prepared part made cleft ensures:

• Correct pressing for performance
• Secure handle fitting
• A solid foundation for shaping

This is why working with a real bat maker, rather than a reseller, makes a significant difference.

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Start Your Bat Making Journey

If you are ready to make your own cricket bat, starting with a high-quality part made English willow cleft is the best place to begin. You will gain hands-on experience, create something unique, and develop a deeper understanding of how bats are made.

Explore our part made English willow clefts and start your bat making journey today.