BAT CARE
All FIREOX bats are made to give instant performance and are pre-treated with a polished wax finish to protect and pressed for performance. We advise you spend time knocking in the edges and the toe as these are the most vulnerable areas.
Once a bat leaves our showroom it will be subject to the wear and tear of cricket games and practice.
Willow by nature, is a very soft wood that, when pressed, provides the rebound qualities required to strike the ball. Wood is a natural product, which can only take so much stress and strain. The life span of a bat should be measured by how much ball impact it sustains, not the length of time you own it, the customer who uses their bat seven days a week should expect it to break quicker than that of the customer who uses it once or twice. We manufacture the bats very carefully to provide the highest levels of performance and durability, but we are dependent on you the owner and player to continue our work by preparing, protecting and maintaining.
Oiling
A new bat with a natural blade should have at least two light coats of oil to the face, edges, toe and back. This should be applied by either a soft rag or your finger. Care should be taken that oil does not reach the splice or handle. When oiling a bat there should never be puddles of oil on the surface of the bat, always wipe away any excess oil immediately. The knocking in process should commence after the second application of oil. Only raw linseed oil or special wax should be used.
If you are not using any anti-scuff facing, then we advise giving the face and edges of the bat should be given a rub down with some fine sandpaper and given a light oil as stated above every 3 to 4 weeks.
Best results are achieved by more applications of light oiling than by one application of lots of oil. There is a much greater danger from a bat being over oiled than under oiled. Over oiling adds weight to the bat which can spoil the pick-up, remove driving power and can also cause wood rot.
General Advice
Moisture should not be allowed to penetrate your bat, particularly at the base / toe of the blade as this can cause swelling and splitting of the willow. Extreme heat should be avoided for example utility rooms. Drying out will cause cracking and splits. Store in a moderate temperature to help preserve the condition of the willow.
Knocking In
A new bat, irrespective of the finish should be knocked in carefully and with patience. This is best done by a bat mallet and hitting the blade repeatedly in all areas where the ball would be expected to make contact, paying special attention to the front edges. The knocking in should start off lightly and progress to harder hitting as you near completion. It is not sufficient to play a few gentle balls in the nets or back garden. Take time and your bat will give a better performance and be less likely to suffer damage.
Your cricket bat is ready for use after oiling and approximately 6 hours of knocking in for a brand-new bat. You can tell when your bat is fully knocked in and ready for play when there are no visible markings occurring from the use of a leather ball for example seam marks.
Anti-scuff facing
A clear self-adhesive cover that provides the best possible protection from surface cracking and indentations. We recommend the use of a facing on your bat as it can vastly improve its lifespan. It helps protect the edges of the blade as well as the face by making them a sealed unit, removing the need for sanding down and oiling during the season apart from a light oil on the toe and back.
Warranty
FIREOX has a strict policy of inspecting all warranty claims. The claims will be assessed on fair wear and tear. Proof of purchase is required when making a warranty claim. FIREOX Warranty does not cover: dampness or swelling of the toe, edge or toe cracks caused by inaccurate play, heat damage, dried out willow, over oiling, insufficient preparation and under knocking in.
