Part Made English Willow Cleft for Cricket Bat Making

Part Made English Willow Cleft - Ready to Finish Cricket Bat

Crafted by a professional bat maker. Finished by you. Our part made English willow clefts are the ideal starting point for anyone looking to create their own cricket bat - whether you are an aspiring bat maker, hobbyist, or simply want a hands-on connection to your gear.

Each cleft is produced in our Oxfordshire workshop using locally sourced English willow, the same high-quality material we use for our full custom and stock bats. These are not mass-produced blanks. Every cleft is individually prepared with the same care, pressing and attention to detail as a finished bat.

What Is a Part Made Cleft?

A part made cricket bat cleft is a bat that has already gone through the most technical stages of production, leaving you to complete the final shaping and finishing. This gives you a strong head start while still allowing full control over the final profile, pickup and feel.

What’s Included:

• Expertly pressed cleft for performance and durability
• Handle professionally spliced and fitted
• Shoulders pre-cut
• Toe cut to standard length
• Pre-cut profile ready for shaping

All that’s left is shaping, sanding, polishing and optional oiling or knocking-in.

Why Choose OX29 Bat Doctor Clefts?

Unlike resellers, we are working bat makers. Every cleft is prepared by hand in our Oxfordshire workshop using the same processes as our finished bats. Pressing is done properly for performance, and each piece of willow is selected based on its grain structure and overall quality. You are starting with the same foundation as a professional bat.

English Willow - Locally Sourced

We use English willow sourced locally in Oxfordshire, selected for its grain, density and performance potential. This gives you the best possible base for your finished bat.

Drying Splits and Natural Characteristics

As with all English willow, natural drying splits (sometimes called drying cracks or drying cones) may occasionally be visible. These are a natural part of the material and are more common in longer blade clefts. In most cases they are removed during shaping down to a standard short handle blade, or sit outside the playing area. They do not worsen, spread or affect performance.

We are seeing these more frequently across the industry, particularly in lower grades such as Grade 3 and butterfly willow, and they are simply something that comes with working natural willow.

Made to Order

Each cleft is made to order in our Oxfordshire workshop. These are not generic blanks, but part-prepared bats made with the same care and precision as our full builds.

Shipping Information

International shipping costs may increase depending on quantity. If this applies, we will contact you before dispatch to confirm any additional charges.