At Claymore Sports, we believe every great innings begins with a well-prepared bat. Whether you’ve just picked up your brand-new Claymore English Willow or Kashmir Willow bat, knocking it in is the key step to unlock its full potential.
🔍 What is Knocking In?
Knocking-in is the process of preparing your bat’s surface—especially the face and edges—to withstand high-speed ball impacts. This helps prevent cracks, improves durability, and most importantly, enhances the bat's ping for a better stroke experience.
🧰 What You’ll Need
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Wooden Mallet or old leather cricket ball
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Raw linseed oil (only if your bat isn’t pre-oiled)
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Soft cloth
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Time and patience (about 6–8 hours total)
🧴 Step 1: Oiling (Only If Required)
If your Claymore bat isn’t pre-oiled:
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Apply a thin layer of raw linseed oil on the face, edges, and toe using a clean cloth.
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Avoid the handle, stickers, and splice.
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Leave it to dry flat for 24 hours, away from direct sunlight.
✅ Note: Many Claymore bats come pre-oiled and partially knocked—check the label before starting.
🔨 Step 2: Knocking In the Bat
Day 1–2: Light Knocking
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Use a bat mallet to gently knock the face and edges.
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Focus on even pressure, especially on the playing area.
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Avoid the back, toe, and splice.
Day 3–4: Medium Knocking
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Increase force gradually.
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Work the edges using a glancing blow—never direct hits on corners.
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Spend at least 2 hours per session for best results.
Day 5: Ball Testing
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Start hitting old leather balls in throwdowns or light nets.
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If you notice seam marks or dents, return to knocking in those areas.
✅ Final Sign That It’s Ready
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No visible seam marks from ball contact
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A clean, consistent ping.