Cricket bat refurbishment is the process of stripping, cleaning, repairing and re-protecting a used cricket bat so it is ready for another season. The best time to do it is straight after the season ends. A summer of nets and matches leaves peeling scuff sheets, loose toe guards, worn grips and small cracks, and over the winter that minor wear can turn into real damage. This guide explains the signs your bat needs work, what a refurbishment includes, what cricket bat repair costs, and how the VKS Cricket Bat Repair service in Ealing, London can help.
Cricket bat refurbishment: key facts
Refurbishing a cricket bat after the season fixes small damage before winter storage makes it worse, restores the bat's finish and protection, and costs far less than buying a new bat.
Most cricketers put their bat in the kit bag after the last game and forget about it until the spring. The problem is that willow keeps reacting to its surroundings. A bat stored with a loose toe guard, a split in the edge or a peeling face sheet can take in moisture or dry out unevenly over the winter, and small faults get bigger.
It stops small damage spreading
Hairline cracks and edge splits are far easier to repair before they open up. Fixing them now can save the bat.
It restores the look and feel
Cleaning, sanding and new protection bring a tired bat back to a clean, match-ready finish.
It costs far less than a new bat
A good English willow bat is a real investment. A refurbishment keeps a bat you already know and trust in play for longer.
The winter is also the easiest time to be without your bat. Book it in once the season is over and it will be back with you well before indoor nets and pre-season training begin.
A cricket bat needs repairing if it has splits in the edges, a loose or damaged toe guard, a swollen or soft toe, a peeling scuff sheet, a worn grip, or a handle that moves or rattles. Take your bat out of its cover in good light and check it from the toe up to the top of the handle. Look for any of these:
A full cricket bat refurbishment removes the old protection, cleans and sands the blade, repairs cracks and splits, levels the toe, and fits a new toe guard, anti-scuff sheet and fibreglass tape. At VKS this costs £60.
Our Bat Refurbishment Service is designed for full end-of-season refurbishments, as well as for repairs in the middle of the season. The work is carried out by our experienced bat specialists in our Ealing workshop. Here is what happens to your bat.
At VKS, cricket bat repairs cost from £6 for a re-grip to £80 for a re-handle, and a full end-of-season refurbishment costs £60. Prices below are the VKS prices for each service.
Not every bat needs a full refurbishment. If you only need one job doing, choose the individual service that fits. Here is the full VKS Cricket Bat Repair range.
| Service | What it fixes | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Bat Refurbishment | Full clean, sand, crack repairs, new toe guard, anti-scuff sheet and fibreglass tape | £60 |
| Bandage / Tough Seal | Splits and cracks: fixed, pressed and sealed, then bandaged | £35 |
| Re-Handle | A broken or damaged handle, replaced with a new handle | £80 |
| Handle Re-Twine with New Grip | Worn or loose twine on the handle, plus a new grip of your choice | £24 |
| Re-Grip with New Grip | A worn, torn or slippery grip | £6 |
| Toe Guard, fitted | A missing or lifting toe guard | £12 |
| Anti-Scuff Sheet, fitted (in store) | A peeling or missing face sheet | £7 |
| Weight Reduction | A bat that feels too heavy: sculpted, sanded and buffed to your target weight | £45 |
| Traditional Knocking In | Preparing a new bat before it faces a hard ball | From £25 |
| Bat iD Laser Engraving | Personalising your bat with a name or message | From £25 |
When you book online, you choose whether to drop your bat off at our Ealing store or have delivery and collection arranged for you. You will also be asked for the make and model of your bat.
Knocking in prepares a brand-new bat once, at the start of its life. Refurbishment restores a used bat after a season of wear. The two services are often confused. Knocking in is preparation for a brand-new bat. It compresses the soft willow on the face, edges and toe so the bat can cope with a hard ball, and it only needs doing once, at the start of the bat's life. You can read more in our guide to cricket bat knocking in.
Refurbishment is maintenance for a bat that has already been used. It deals with the wear a season leaves behind: damaged protection, cracks, a worn toe and a tired finish. At VKS we recommend knocking a bat in once, at the start, and booking a full refurbishment once each season is over.
Repair the bat if the damage is to the edges, toe, protection, grip or handle. Consider replacing it only if the blade itself is badly split or the bat has reached the end of its life. Many bats that look finished can be brought back. Surface cracks, edge splits and a damaged toe can usually be repaired, and a broken handle can be replaced with our Re-Handle Service, which keeps the blade you know. Severe damage, such as deep splits or a broken handle, needs expert repair to keep the bat playing well, so avoid home fixes with glue or tape on these.
Sometimes a bat has simply reached the end of its life. If you are not sure, bring it to our Ealing store and our team will look at it with you and give you an honest view on whether a repair is worth it. If it is time for a new bat, browse our full range of cricket bats.
Store a cricket bat clean, dry and lightly oiled, in a bat cover, somewhere cool and dry indoors, away from radiators, damp sheds and car boots. Whether or not you book a refurbishment, a few simple habits will keep your bat in good shape until next season.
What is cricket bat refurbishment?
Cricket bat refurbishment is a full service for a used bat. The old protection is removed, the blade is cleaned and sanded, cracks and splits are repaired, the toe is levelled, and a new toe guard, anti-scuff sheet and fibreglass tape are fitted. It restores the bat's finish and protection for another season.
How much does a cricket bat refurbishment cost at VKS?
The VKS Bat Refurbishment Service costs £60. It includes cleaning and sanding, crack and split repairs, toe levelling, and a new toe guard, anti-scuff sheet and fibreglass tape. Very large splits may cost extra, and we tell you before doing any additional work.
When should I get my cricket bat refurbished?
The best time is straight after the season ends. Any wear is fixed before it can get worse over the winter, and the bat is ready long before pre-season nets. The service can also be used for repairs during the season.
Can a cracked cricket bat be repaired?
In many cases, yes. Cracks and splits are repaired as part of a full refurbishment. If you only need a split fixing, our Bandage / Tough Seal service (£35) fixes, presses and seals the damage, then adds a bandage for extra strength.
Can you fix a broken cricket bat handle?
Yes. Our Re-Handle Service (£80) replaces a broken or damaged handle with a new one, so you can keep using the blade. If the handle is sound but the twine is worn or loose, a Handle Re-Twine with New Grip costs £24.
Does my bat need knocking in again after the season?
No. A bat only needs a full knock-in once, at the start of its life. After each season, book a refurbishment instead, and keep the exposed willow lightly oiled every 4 to 5 months.
How do I send my bat to VKS for repair?
Book the service online and choose either drop-off at our Ealing store or delivery and collection arranged by VKS, then enter your bat's make and model. You can also bring your bat to the store at 31 Bond Street, Ealing, London W5 5AS, or call us on 020 8579 3389.
Where can I get my cricket bat repaired in London?
VKS repairs and refurbishes cricket bats at its store at 31 Bond Street, Ealing, London W5 5AS. You can drop your bat off in store or book online with delivery and collection arranged by VKS. Call 020 8579 3389 for advice.
Get your bat ready for next summer. Our full refurbishment costs £60 and covers cleaning, sanding, crack repairs and new protection. Book online with drop-off or collection, or bring your bat to the VKS store in Ealing.
