Passing The Torch
Jimmy is a club cricketer in Essex, who loves to spend time at his counties local hunting ground, Chelmsford Cricket Club. He plys his trade in at South Weald CC and began as a fan of Sanderstead’s YouTube channel. Frequenting their videos is where he discovered the BKB brand. Whilst in the process of acquiring a new stick, Jimmy made the decision to move away from the mainstream brands and towards the bespoke range at BKB.
Bespoke is the operative word. After making initial contact with us, Jimmy found out that BKB could replicate a previous blade that he’d had great success with and were also able to make a few subtle but significant changes to its form.
Jimmy found our manner of customer service thoughtful and extremely refreshing. “It was just nicer to deal with an actual person rather than just scroll online or awkwardly get spotted shadow-batting in a store somewhere.”
In fact Jimmy’s experience was so unique and fulfilling, that he has since returned to BKB for his next bat. The only difference being that he was in the market for a slightly shorter blade, something we’d previously mentioned. Our mastercraftmen at BKB made the simple change and used Jimmy’s initial “old spec” as a base, with the eventual blade coming out a treat. Jimmy has since convinced a number of his teammates to follow in his footsteps and purchase a BKB in his specific requirements with nothing but glowing reviews.
Jimmy even managed to surpass the post and packaging process, instead being able to meet Bob in Liverpool Street Station (near to each others work). He described it like the passing of a torch, whilst a few bankers watched on inquisitively.
My name is Craig and I am club cricketer up in the Lancashire County Leagues (Burscough Cricket Club).
When I reached out to Black Knight Bats, I was shocked by not only the incredible customer service with Bob at BKB, but also how their products were able to expand my game. Having described my incumbent stick, Bob made some wonderful suggestions about how I could improve my game through sheading a few extra ounces.
My previous blade weighed 2lb 12oz and was falling to pieces. Bob suggested a shorter blade with a long handle around 2lb 8.
As Bob spoke with such confidence and knowledge I decided to put trust in him and my did it pay off. I’ve always considered myself to be a reasonably orthodox player, but I can honestly say that this bat has opened up new scoring opportunities for me. I am now able to clear the white pickets with more regularity than I ever was before, and it is without a doubt down to my new blade!
I even managed to register my two highest scores in consecutive weeks (90 and 95), and again that had everything to do with the bat (maybe I’m doing myself a slight disservice).
When standing at the crease, I have 100% confidence in my bat which has been a rare commodity in my cricketing career. So much so, that I will be looking to upgrade to a grade one for the start of next season, and I would recommend to anyone and everyone to purchase one of BKB’s wonderful bats.
Clear The Ropes
Brexit Challenge for German Cricket
My name is Christopher and I feel like one of BKB most extraordinary customers, as I chose to take up the game later in life in Germany of all places! Having spent my early childhood in the UK, I grew up around the sport but did not look to make it a serious hobby until over 30 years later.
Upon joining my German club Darmstadt CC, I purchased a factory-made, mass-produced blade for £150. Despite feeling uncomfortable with the new stick, I attributed it to my being an inexperienced player.
However, after finding BKB and contacting them, I quickly realised that the bat I’d been using was unsuited to my size and stature. I am quite slight, weighing only 65kg. After a conversation with Bob, it became clear to me that I needed something a little lighter with less meat but without sacrificing on performance.
It was such a refreshing experience to be taken seriously about my needs and it was an absolute joy and made the whole process a total pleasure. I would buy another BKB just for the service !
To top off the wonderful service, BKB even managed to bypass shipping issues in this post-brexit world, and I was holding the blade within two weeks of ordering it. I couldn't believe such service and commitment. BKB genuinely want you to have the best possible bat for your game, no matter who you are.
Amongst my teammates, it is not the heavy hitting, power brands that attract the attention. No, it is my humble and wonderful BKB that turns the most heads. I’m constantly being asked to bring bats back when I travel back to the UK, but I implore my teammates to try out the service themselves, for simply acquiring a bat through me does not afford them the entire wonderful experience of being a BKB customer.
I honestly feel privileged to play with a BKB and feel connected to BKBs in a way I wouldn't normally after 'buying something'. If you haven’t already worked it out, I would recommend BKB to everyone, what an incredible company!
Stories researched and written by BKB Ambassador Josh Stacey
To feature here, e mail your story to black.knight.bats@gmail.com