How Cricket Bats Are Made: Behind the Scenes at Gunn & Moore

[@fiveiron2547]

It blows my mind how much of this process is hands-on. It’s practically an artisan product.

[@AJSportsUK]

There are some serious craftsmen at work in this industry!

[@benvetonline]

Agreed....not a lot of machines at all. Very impressive. Well done on the video

[@gardeningfishingjimw9364]

Great to see quality cricket bats still being made by hand. Well done G&M.

[@maxtippett809]

Kev! You bloody legend 50years bat making what an effort!!!

[@AJSportsUK]

Absolute legend! And still going strong,

[@jeremythomas2865]

Hope he’s teaching someone to carry on the legacy.

[@WaynesWorld69]

I'm quite surprised. First off, great video. Love the way you let the main guy lead and didn't interrupt with pointless questions. The most amazing part tho is the production quality - outstanding. Secondly....7.45k subscribers? Really? I thought I was watching a huge media company's TV infomercial. Outstanding. Thanks so much for the video.

[@AJSportsUK]

Thank you for your kind words! Lots of hard work goes into these and your comment has made our day! :)

[@brianandrea3249]

There’s something about a quality cricket bat! Generations of tradition, craft, runs, skill, art, innovation to produce a beautiful object. Thanks for sharing, I think my dream job would be working for a cricket bat maker!

[@christopherdean1326]

I love the way th push stick he uses on the table saw (3:52) is actually a cut down cricket bat!

[@AJSportsUK]

Yep, pretty satisfying!

[@tonymarshall4164]

Without doubt the best bat makers

[@stilllearning1160]

Nice to see something made in the UK still.

[@MichaelErasmus-on5yb]

I really enjoyed this video, much love from South Africa.

[@astrovert.ed2321]

Thank you, love your passion towards bringing this to us.

[@roshahn23]

Absolutely loved watching how these guys work to create these!

[@kevin-e5h5t]

Willow. It is the wood of work. From Cricket Bats to handles for Shovels, Spades, Adz, Picks, Rakes, Brooms and Dowels - Willow is prime. It is a strong, straight grained wood. All the Brittish Commonwealth countries grow these trees, and it is one of the most exploited "foreign imports" around the world. Bee's wax, Cow Gum, Linseed Oil, Linen Thread and Shellac are the traditional finishes.

[@OurAmazingSkies]

Best comment, unfortunately will go over most peoples heads...

[@JaisimhaNaidu-d4w]

This is a fantastic cricket bat thank you very much GM

[@user-tl5fi9lz9z]

Watching the V cut was the most exciting part!

[@AJSportsUK]

Very satisfying indeed!

[@jahanmoh]

Wow a lot of quality work going into a quality product, brilliant

[@hidayatali2643]

Excellent and how much effort has been on the process 👍 the whole team members did a fantastic job 👏

[@69bulwinkle]

best bats in the world, i've been using Gunn&Moore bats for 18 years and never looked to buy anything else, would love to go to the factory myself.

[@AJSportsUK]

The time and care it takes to make a single bat, let alone hundreds, is truly fascinating to watch. And that's why Gunn & Moore are one of the leading brands in the industry.

[@johnlewis9745]

@@AJSportsUK. Get in touch with the firm. Many firms have conducted tours.

[@johnlewis9745]

Why not contact the firm ? Many undertake conducted tours, usually for groups, for a small charge although some tours are free.

[@AJSportsUK]

This is definitely something we are looking into

[@69bulwinkle]

@@johnlewis9745 would love to but I'm in Australia so will cost a lot to just get to England

[@joek7277]

Fantastic video guys

[@AJSportsUK]

Thank you and glad you enjoyed it :)

[@ahq1042]

Amazing presentation, could mistake it for a Sky Sports production

[@AJSportsUK]

Thank you! A lot of hard work goes into these so really appreciate your comment! :)

[@davidbingham66]

Back in the day, when I was in my late teens, (I am 65 now), I bought a Gunn & Moore bat - I still have it. Most of my mates had bats from the following: Gray Nichols Duncan Fearnley Stuart Surridge Slazenger I remember being asked why Gunn & Moore? I just like the feel it had in my hands. This is a great video. It shows that primarily, they are hand made.

[@neilneil1652]

I had a featherlight Purist Original towards the end of my club career end of the 1990's beginning of 2000's. It was fantastic! Perfectly balanced with massive sweet spot.

[@CalvinKunene-uv2jv]

Wow awesome work. Loved every second of this video 🇿🇦🇿🇦💯🤝

[@statickk14]

Amazing craftsmanship

[@mohammedalmukhtar5428]

The joy of watching or playing Cricket..starts here!

[@AJSportsUK]

Just as fun watching cricket bats made as it is playing with one!

[@xolanikhumalo9267]

Masterpiece ❤❤❤

[@crcketwatch10]

Great video, would've been nice to see the pressing and where they pre-knock their bats in.

[@AJSportsUK]

Unfortunately time constraints meant we could not squeeze everything in but next time!

[@uzairamir9014]

Loved the video, can’t wait to get my hands on a GM soon!, however did not see the pressing bit, is it confidential?

[@kunalroyKR]

Excellent cinematography 👏👏 One query though. It is said that some bats have 5 grain some 6 grain and so on. What's that?

[@AJSportsUK]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it! For the grains question, this is answered in our video here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/jmfKp6Wgd7VnoJI

[@shannonc8759]

Would love to see a bit on how they grade them next time!

[@AJSportsUK]

Absolutely! Great idea

[@richwatson5665]

The most important part of a cricket bat is the pressing so did I miss that part of the video, if so advise me of the time and I’ve been to the factory and met Kev and I shaped a few handle’s during my visit.

[@AJSportsUK]

Thanks for watching! Unfortunatley due to time constraints we could not get the pressing in but it is definitely in the pipework for our future videos

[@richwatson5665]

@AJSportsUK great stuff

[@RupinChheda]

Kevin and the CNC are the ones doing the maximum work in this factory.

[@touheedahmed161]

Amazing vid loved it.

[@AJSportsUK]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@tjm3900]

I would like to see the handles made with the rubber inserts.

[@AJSportsUK]

All handles do contain rubber inserts to give them the flexibility and durability over a bat's life span

[@billpeach5317]

I too would have liked to see the handles made. The rubber layers were, I understand, to absorb the shock of a 90mph ball hitting the bat.

[@alanwilliamson2259]

Wonderful process to watch, thankyou.

[@AJSportsUK]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Wilkins_Micawber]

I was a police officer in North Yorkshire. I once met a man, who had the enviable job of travelling for a Cricket Bat manufacturer. The job was to visits forests and woods where his employer had secretly grown willows for bat manufacture. He was to check on the development, environmental problems the growing trees were experiencing.

[@Abuabdillah-cm3ql]

Saim ayub uses GM bat now. Hopefully I'll get one also

[@moemotors2570]

awesome video, need more of this please!!

[@georgesadler7830]

Thank you for the video.

[@AJSportsUK]

Thanks for watching!

[@mrg-cardcollector6601]

Had a Maestro back in the day! Beautiful bat at 2Ib 6!

[@thedisabledwelshman9266]

i love all forms of cricket, but test cricket is my favourite by far

[@WiththegraceofgodHJ]

Beautiful bat, almost as good as a Kookaburra.

[@magichead79]

But how do you make the handle?

[@MARTINA-gc3tq]

I am having a straight willow removed in late January. What part should I save so I can have some bats made for my grandchildren?

[@AJSportsUK]

Essentially all of it! But really depends on the quality and age of the tree as well as how well its been looked after. Might be worth getting an expert in to have a look.

[@shaheen.rafi13]

Where is the hammering process so that the stroke of the bat increases ?

[@TheEmiratesGuy_1]

Now, saim Ayub main ambassador of gun & more bat 17:09

[@Queenzimbaberbhikaristan]

Zimb ayub🤡💩

[@ans1628]

Sir Lankan world cup winning team member Asanka Gurusinghe used GM Bat

[@PrashantSuryanshi]

Very nice

[@stephensharma4994]

is the weight a factor which you consider ??

[@BrendonSullivan]

How they put the rubber in the handle

[@philparrish8892]

How long are the basic pieces dried for?

[@AJSportsUK]

On average, you would leave a cleft to dry for between 3-6 months in a controlled environment before shaping into a cricket bat.

[@philparrish8892]

@@AJSportsUK thank you

[@thedisabledwelshman9266]

that is a thing of beauty.

[@steveirungujermaine-l4p]

cricket is myfavourite sport

[@mrg-cardcollector6601]

You didn’t mention how they are graded? What makes a top end bat compared to a low end bat?

[@AJSportsUK]

Time constraints got in the way! We will be doing more content around these bits in the coming videos

[@tamjidahmed6738]

Are they not pressing the bat?

[@FergusMclauchlan]

do you make satners Bat

[@TX200AA]

Great mix of old craft skill and modern machinery. The only thing I did not see was any gauge to ensure that the bat complied with the width regulation, though I am sure all their bats are correct and comply with the laws of cricket.

[@AJSportsUK]

The main shaping is now done via the CNC machine so all bats have a predetermined size which conforms to the laws of cricket. GM also has strict quality controls in place which means all bats are checked before final finishing touches are made.

[@mazfarnadeem1846]

I always had a couple questions. Why don’t they make the bat in one piece. Thats possible as well. And even the grip part has like 3 pieces. Why not just one piece for that?

[@AJSportsUK]

Its to offer flexibility against the impact of a hard cricket ball. If the full bat is just one piece, this would not be possible. Same concept with the handle - there are rubber inserts which offer the flex when striking a cricket ball.

[@mazfarnadeem1846]

@ Thank you so much for responding. Is this like scientifically proven or something. I still don’t get it. U don’t feel a thing when u hit the ball with a bat. I’m dumb so nvm 🙏🏻

[@AJSportsUK]

@@mazfarnadeem1846 Yes it is scientifically proven. A single piece will not have enough movement within it on impact as separate pieces of wood will. The actual playing area should only be one piece as per the regulations but the handle can have any number of pieces to offer flexibility. This video should explain it further - kzbin.info/www/bejne/eWnQm52jj5d_rK8

[@mazfarnadeem1846]

@ Thanks again. You’re a legend

[@brucesannino6181]

I'm very surprised at how dull the draw knife was. Apart from that this is a good video. Well, apart from the draw knife and the music.

[@AJSportsUK]

Thank you for the feedback and glad you liked the video! Not sure about the draw knife... seemed pretty sharp close up!😅

[@thedisabledwelshman9266]

@@AJSportsUK do u plant your own trees?

[@saintpauli7566]

I have a 1998 GM Purist as used by Steve Waugh at the time, although definitely a cheaper model. Good Lord it's a good Cricket Bat.

[@maiuraj9600]

So they dont press the clefts?

[@trickyram2]

Good video, but where is the pressing part? This is the most important part of bat making and it's completely left out! Love to see what press they have and the technique they use....water, no water etc? Is there a separate video for this?

[@AJSportsUK]

Time constraints meant we could not squeeze this in! But there are future videos in the pipeline on bat pressing and the grading of cricket bats

[@jeremythomas2865]

Amazing that in this modern age good quality bats still have a lot of manual shaving and shaping done by human hand. You would think machines would have taken over every aspect.

[@AJSportsUK]

Absolutely. The level of precision and care it takes to craft every single bat is really something to behold.

[@pantoffelslippers]

So… whats the difference between the various models (named ranges) of these bats? Nowhere in the process did I see the worker check what model he’s making. Am I making a GM Striker or a GM Maestro or whatever.

[@AJSportsUK]

The models are shaped via the CNC machine based on the requirements for that particular model. Grading is done by hand prior to the bats going through the CNC machine. We did not have enough time to squeeze this part into the video unfortunately.

[@mullrump2]

COOL!

[@rahulsinghdeo5982]

what is even more remarkable is that almost 90% of all top grade English willow used by pro cricketers comes from one and only one farm: J S Wright and sons.

[@qasimabbas8717]

Absolutely right, Wye they didn't use safety gloves

[@philcullis8602]

It looks the handle is laminated . Lkght and dark wood. I wonder what wood and how are they made.

[@AJSportsUK]

Hi there, the bat handles are made from cane

[@hasnatahmed4969]

Hard work...

[@gregstuart9783]

Does the face get pressurised?

[@hashimagha3831]

GM one of the best

[@the_katman2181]

I'm not even a cricket player, and I want that bat.

[@stephenwilliams926]

Made a cricket bat back in the 1970's from a solid piece of wood , first hit of the Ball the handle snapped off lol .

[@AJSportsUK]

Oh no! You should have carried on and we might be talking about a master bat maker now!

[@petermoller8337]

Thanks, I read a very good novel, “Willowman” get yourselves a copy, if you liked this video then you will love the book 😊

[@AJSportsUK]

Downloaded on Audible! 😊

[@thedisabledwelshman9266]

that log splitter cuts through a log like a knife through butter.

[@terencediamond356]

Can you make a Cricket 🏏 bat out of Hockey 🏒 sticks?

[@Mk123-mk]

What wood ?

[@williamskinner4410]

I can now see why GM is superior over some other brands. The process isn’t rushed and you have great quality control checks

[@AJSportsUK]

They certainly make some great bats! Helps when you have decades of experience in the same building making bats day in day out.

[@PatrickMorton-n8e]

I think gm bats are one of the best pinging bats out there in the game but the only problem I have with them is that the toe of the bat is way too small and is prone to Yorker damage. as of recent though, they have improved

[@AJSportsUK]

They have certainly improved over the last couple of years. We get very few GM bats back with toe damage but it can happen as it is a natural product being used against a hard cricket ball.

[@DanishSYT]

GM bat of saim ayub is very appealing that's why I'm here

[@julianalderson3938]

Nice has anyone tryed a different timber.

[@AJSportsUK]

Yes plenty of different types of timber have been tested but English Willow always comes out on top for durability and performance against a hard cricket ball.

[@TheAdventusNetwork]

Send our regards to Kev!

[@blazerboy9216]

We sold 40 odd willow trees to Wrights (who are I think in the video)😊 who cut them down for cricket bats. They planted replacement saplings for all of them.

[@AJSportsUK]

That is a lot of trees! Now the wait for the 40 saplings to turn into more cricket bats one day!

[@tonygreenmike]

please bring back the green and blue livery.. perhaps in a different pattern..

[@AJSportsUK]

Brands are always coming up with old and new designs so you never know! The green and blue did look nice!

[@tonygreenmike]

@@AJSportsUK yeah. That green and blue livery of GM resonated more symbolically and represented the brand for a significant period !

[@Scotland1766]

I'm not a cricket person, but am a woodworker and love the process and craftmanship, albeit repetitive, but still a craft and I dare say, no two bats are the same, despite the attention to detail. I'm guessing batsmen spend hours selecting a bat for weight, style, feel, etc.

[@AJSportsUK]

Hours can be an understatement sometimes! Home, car and a cricket bat are the three most important decisions a cricketer makes in their life! :)

[@muralirameshkv2537]

CRICKET 🏏👌👌👌

[@ColinLennard]

2 Questions 1)The trees in what aira do they grow? 2) How old are the trees when they are ready to be harvested? Thanks that was interesting.

[@AJSportsUK]

Hi there, the trees are primarily grown in the South East of England due to the climate and soil conditions which are ideal for cricket bat making. The wood is called Salix Alba Caerulea. These trees normally take 12-15 years to mature but some can take longer.

[@patrickwalker2509]

Handle made from ash?

[@AJSportsUK]

Hi there, cricket bat handles are made from cane

[@cricketbatguitar]

Turned quite a few GMs into guitars. Nice bats One question, why are some clefts stacked on edge and some stacked flat?

[@AJSportsUK]

Purely for stacking reasons. Just easier to keep them stable for long periods in the varied falt/edge position.

[@M10FUN]

awesome

[@nas8205]

TIL that GM stickers on bats do not stand for General Motors 😂…having said that, my closet’ doorknob is way more exciting than the interviewer. 😂

[@Tactical__Cows]

How does that guy still have all his fingers?

[@blasbor9050]

Saim Ayoub use GM bats

[@ahdkiller1826]

Wood name

[@barefaceindian8821]

Beautiful … I love GM bats. I have a couple, 😊 _\•||_ 🏏

[@KhushiMuhammad-b3s]

Awesome way to wood to BAT 🏏❤❤

[@munawarjamal4104]

Don't you have to press the face of the clefts first?

[@AJSportsUK]

They do press the clefts once they are cut but time constraints meant we could not squeeze that in

[@nabeeltariq6698]

Siam Ayub used GM bat🔥🔥🔥

[@johnlewis9745]

They make cracking bats. Oops ! Shouldn’t have said that. The only other bat maker I can recall was Duncan Fearnley, but that was decades ago.

[@andrebann1620]

Every company needs a Kevin… who has been there got the tee shirt, hope the company rewards him with a retirement Rolex Explorer minimum as 50 years is super loyalty

[@pritishmondal2714]

That a meam GM prepare their bat without PRESSING 😮