Oiling
- Lightly oil the face, edges, toe and back of your bat (avoid the splice and stickers) with linseed oil, which reinforces the face of the bat
- Use a soft cloth to apply a thin layer
- Leave to dry horizontally for 24 hours before repeating
- If you have sanded down any imperfections it’s essential to re-oil your bat
Knocking In
- Knocking In compresses the fibres to reduce the chance of cracking - essential for preparing your bat for match play
- With a bat mallet or old ball gently tap the face, edges and toe
- Build up to firmer knocks over a few hours
- Aim to recreate the glancing blows your bat will receive in play
- We recommend bats are knocked in for three to six hours
Storage
- Your bat is made from natural willow – it needs care off the pitch too
- Store in a cool, dry place and check regularly for damage
- Moisture can cause rotting - avoid damp rooms, sheds or leaving it outside
- Heat will dry out your bat and make it brittle
