SS cricket ball mallet
Useful for controlled knocking in across the face of the bat.
Bat Care Instructions
Overview
New cricket bat preparation
Prepare every new willow bat properly before match use. Oil first, then knock in thoroughly — this protects the blade and helps performance last longer.
Oil first
Before knocking in
~6 hours
Knocking-in time
3–4 weeks
Recheck oil regularly
Tools
Recommended tools
Use a ball or wooden cricket bat mallet so you can control pressure while preparing the blade and edges.
SS cricket bat mallet
Start firmly (not hard), then increase pressure after the first hour. After about 2 hours you can hit the blade more firmly.
Oiling
Oiling process
Complete oiling before you start knocking in. Sand the surface before every oiling.
How to oil your bat
- Lightly sandpaper the surface with 180–200 grit sandpaper before every oiling.
- Pour enough oil onto the blade to cover about a 50 cent coin.
- Rub oil into the front, back, sides, and toe with a finger or cloth. Keep oil off stickers and never put oil on the splice.
- Leave the bat lying horizontal (blade up) overnight.
- Repeat a second full coat, then apply a 3rd and 4th coat to the front (blade) only.
Knocking in
Knocking in process
Knocking in usually takes about 6 hours, depending on how soft the willow is. Work the whole unprotected blade evenly and re-oil during the process.
Blade preparation
The knocking in process could take approx. 6 hours depending on how soft the willow is. Start the knocking in process initially by hitting the mallet against the blade firmly, but not hard, with the pressure being increased after an hour. After 2 hours the mallet can be hit reasonably hard against the blade.
Make sure all areas of the blade not covered by stickers are knocked in equally and similarly. During the knocking in process the bat should be oiled at least twice more. We suggest this should happen after 2 hours and 5 hours, making sure you sandpaper the blade first before applying the oil.
Edge rolling
Do not use the “hitting” end of the mallet to knock in the edges. Instead, use the handle of the mallet to roll, prepare and harden the edges. A stump or similar rounded edged item can also be used for this purpose.
When rolling the edges start at an angle closest to the blade gradually working out to where the angle will become 90 degrees. Repeat this process during the knocking in period, increasing the pressure each time. Do not roll the edges after the extratec has been applied.
Oil check and first use
When the knocking in process has been completed, the blade should be tested to see if it requires more oil. To do this, using a reasonable amount of pressure, run your thumbnail up the blade of the bat, from the toe to just below where the front sticker is. If there is a tiny speck of oil where your thumbnail is, there is enough oil. However, if there is no oil the blade will need to be oiled again.
Test your bat this way about every 3 to 4 weeks.
After knocking your bat in, use it in the nets first with an old ball before using it with a new ball in a match.
Need help preparing your bat?
Email sportsworldcanberra@gmail.com or call 0413 952 550 / 0410 219 652 / 0413 961 672.