The video is a behind-the-scenes tour of the GM Factory in Nottingham, where Shane Watson, a cricket player, explains the process of making cricket bats. The process begins with a large English Willow log, which is sawn into clefts of a specific shape and size. The clefts are then taken to the factory, where they are graded and shaped according to specific specifications.
The wood is reduced in moisture to make it lighter, and the handles, made of cane with cork and rubber in the middle, are also dried to ensure they have the same moisture content as the wood. This is done in a room called the Wine Cellar, which maintains a constant temperature and humidity level.
The next step is to press the bats, which compacts the wood down, making it more durable. The handles are then fitted into the clefts of the wood, and the back of the bat is shaped according to the specifications provided by the customer. The final step involves the bat maker, Kev, who shapes the bat and finishes off the little bits for the toe and the handle.
Once the bat is finished, it is put on the stickers and the binding is put around the handle. The final product is a high-quality cricket bat, made from English Willow and shaped to the customer's specifications.
1. The process of making cricket bats begins with a large piece of English Willow log.
2. The log is brought into a factory, where it is divided and prepared for the next stages of the process.
3. The wood is then sawn into clefts at a GM's own Plantation of English Willow.
4. The clefts are then taken into the factory to be shaped to individual specifications.
5. The next stage of the process is grading the willow, where the grains are checked for straightness and evenness.
6. The wood is then reduced in moisture to make it lighter.
7. The wood is stored in a Wine Cellar, which maintains a constant temperature and humidity to ensure the wood holds its moisture.
8. The handles, made of cane with cork and rubber in the middle, are also stored in the Wine Cellar to maintain the same moisture content.
9. The bats are then pressed to compact the wood down, which increases the chances of the wood holding together.
10. The handles are put into the cluster wood before they're shaped.
11. The handles are fitted into the cleft of the wood, ensuring a tight fit.
12. The back of the bat is shaped using a computer program to get the exact shape of the bat.
13. The bat is then finished off by the bat makers, who shape the bat and finish off the little bits for the toe and the handle.
14. The final process involves the bat maker, who shapes all the bats and finishes them off.
15. Once the bat is finished, stickers are put on, and the binding is put around the handle.
16. The finished product is a very exciting process, and the end result is the use of some of the best bats in the world.