What Makes OX29 Cricket Bats Unique?
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The key features of an OX29 cricket bat are its consistent ping, perfectly shaped shoulders, angled toe, and semi-oval handle, all designed to maximise performance and feel.
This is a question I'm often asked. Every OX29 bat is handmade in the UK using carefully selected English willow, designed to maximise performance and feel. For anyone who hasn't picked up an OX29 bat that I've made, here's a detailed look at the features and characteristics that set them apart.
The three main areas I focus on are:
- Ping
- Shoulders
- Toe
With the handle and swell as key supporting elements.
The Ping
Ping is everything in a cricket bat. When I first started, very few bat makers were willing to explain their pressing process - and if they did, they rarely explained why it worked. That pushed me into a three-year journey of trial, error, and understanding. I went from pressing my first bat without knowing why it performed well, to now being confident that I can maximise every bat I make.
Every cleft of willow is different. The skill is adapting the process to get the best out of each one. Now, the ping across OX29 bats is extremely consistent. If a bat doesn't meet expectations during finishing, it's usually due to natural variation in the wood. In those cases:
- It's clearly explained in the listing
- It's shown honestly in the bat video
Those bats never go to custom customers.
The Shoulders
The shoulders are something I've obsessed over. Many bats - even from reputable brands - have uneven or poorly shaped shoulders that don't feel right in the hands. After years of refining my process, experimenting with sanding drums, abrasives, and techniques (and a few accidental short blades along the way 🤣), I achieved the shape I was looking for.
The biggest influence came from antique bats, which consistently had low, sweeping, beautifully blended shoulders.
Why this matters:
- Improved feel in the hands
- Less stiffness through the handle
- Better performance through the middle
- Smoother overall pickup
Chunky shoulders simply don't offer the same feel.
The Toe
The toe is often overlooked, but it plays a huge role in durability and feel. Many bats are made with square or flat toes, meaning when the bat is tapped down, it strikes the ground at an angle. Over time, this increases damage.
All OX29 bats are shaped with an angled toe, allowing:
- The bat to sit flush when tapping
- Reduced stress on the blade
- Improved longevity
- A more natural feel for the player
Personally, I favour a semi-round toe with the correct angle, but custom bats can be made to any preference.
The Handle
If I had to choose one handle shape, it would be a semi-oval.
- Reduces twist on off-centre strikes
- Improves energy transfer
- Feels natural in the bottom hand
- Encourages playing in the V
When players say a handle feels amazing, it's very often a semi-oval.
Consistency Across Every Bat
Pick up any bat from our Handmade Workshop Stock, and you'll immediately notice the features and characteristics described above.
That consistency is something I take the most pride in.
FAQs About OX29 Cricket Bats
What are the main features of an OX29 cricket bat?
The main features of an OX29 cricket bat are its consistent ping, carefully shaped shoulders, angled toe, and semi-oval handle, all designed to maximise performance and feel.
Why is ping important in an OX29 cricket bat?
Ping is one of the most important performance characteristics in a cricket bat. OX29 bats are pressed with a refined process that aims to produce consistent ping while getting the best from each individual cleft of willow.
Why do OX29 cricket bats have specially shaped shoulders?
OX29 cricket bats are shaped with low, well-blended shoulders to improve feel in the hands, reduce stiffness, and contribute to smoother pickup and better overall performance.
What is the benefit of an angled toe on an OX29 cricket bat?
An angled toe helps the bat sit more flush to the ground when tapping, reducing stress on the blade and improving durability and comfort for the player.
Why does OX29 use a semi-oval handle?
A semi-oval handle can help reduce twist on off-centre strikes, feel more natural in the bottom hand, and encourage better control and a more traditional playing style.
Looking for Your Next Bat?
Every OX29 bat is made with one goal - to maximise the performance of the willow while delivering the best possible feel.
Browse our Handmade Workshop Stock