Exclusive Knocking-In Machine

Exclusive to Slater-Gartrell Sports in Western Australia is our automated knocking in machine. This machine replicates the knocking in process in a matter of minutes and strikes the bat face approximately 1600 times. Some final hand knocking in is recommended.

All new cricket bats require knocking in before use, knocking in is the process of hardening and conditioning of the bats surface.

Knocking in will protect the face of the bat from cracking and increase the bats life span.

Knocking in also improves the "middle" of the bat so that it is larger and better thus improving how far the ball will travel once struck by the bat.

Raw linseed oil is used to moisten the surface of the bat and enables the fibres to become supple and knit together, forming an elastic surface. This is more likely to stretch on impact rather than crack.

Slater-Gartrell Sports recommends the use of the knocking in machine on all new bats and a final hand knock in using a hardwood mallet concentrating on the edges of the bat to round them of so the ball cannot damage them too much. The edges should be struck at 45 degrees to the face, gradually work on the edges until the whole surface is smooth and has a rounded appearance. The back of the bat should never be touched with mallet or ball. The hardwood mallet knocking in process should take between 10 to 15 sessions of about 10 minutes each, Once completed the bat is ready for play. Start by hitting old balls in the nets and check the face for very deep seam marks to the point of almost cracking the face, if this occurs further knocking in is required. Seam marks will always occur on the face of the bat but they should not be too deep.

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