From Willow Round to Clefts - Lionheart Cricket Bats

At Lionheart we process our own willow. In this video you can see how we convert a round (a segment of a trunk) into the clefts that we dry to make our cricket bats. We measure, split, saw, wax the ends, then stack the clefts outside for 12 months to allow them to dry out naturally. Air drying reduces the moisture content to about 20%. Willow is a very water retentive material which is part of the reason it grows so quickly when compared to other species. The amount of water in a willow tree is also why it is so light and the only type of wood suitable for cricket bats. Once the water has evaporated, the air pockets are larger than in many other trees (think of it as a sort of sponge when magnified). The nature of the wood allows it to be compacted (pressed) to create the outer hardened layer. Underneath is a responsive cushion of wood. The two contrasting elements of the pressing process produces the 'ping' on a cricket bat. We then finish the drying process in a kiln for 3 weeks to reduce the willow to between 10 and 12% for bat making. A good cricket bat always begins with the Willow. Bat with the heart of a Lion.