Behind The Drawknife: Thoughts from the workshop

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.

05/02/26 Instagram Q&A Full Recap

05/02/26 Instagram Q&A Full Recap

Samuel Cross

A full recap of our recent Instagram Q&A, covering willow grades, grain myths, butterfly stains, bat care, laminated bats, pricing, and product philosophy. We break down what really matters for...

05/02/26 Instagram Q&A Full Recap

Samuel Cross

A full recap of our recent Instagram Q&A, covering willow grades, grain myths, butterfly stains, bat care, laminated bats, pricing, and product philosophy. We break down what really matters for...

Why OX29 Is different when it comes to English Willow

Why OX29 Is different when it comes to English ...

Samuel Cross

OX29 works without willow contracts, handpicking English willow in Oxfordshire through a trusted supplier relationship. No bulk stock, no overseas mixing - just complete focus on making the best cricket...

Why OX29 Is different when it comes to English ...

Samuel Cross

OX29 works without willow contracts, handpicking English willow in Oxfordshire through a trusted supplier relationship. No bulk stock, no overseas mixing - just complete focus on making the best cricket...

Why I don’t believe in bat shapes

Why I don’t believe in bat shapes

Samuel Cross

Bat shapes are largely marketing. Most professional cricketers don’t use off-the-shelf bats at all - they use bespoke bats made specifically for them. Here’s why shape names matter far less...

Why I don’t believe in bat shapes

Samuel Cross

Bat shapes are largely marketing. Most professional cricketers don’t use off-the-shelf bats at all - they use bespoke bats made specifically for them. Here’s why shape names matter far less...