Unlock the full potential & lifespan of your new cricket bat with Cricket Warehouse's guide to new cricket bat preparation. Our comprehensive article below offers expert insights and techniques to ensure your bat has the best start and is prepared properly. Learn essential tips for knocking in, oiling, and maintaining your bat for optimal performance on the pitch. Trust Cricket Warehouse for reliable advice that helps you get the most out of your cricket equipment.
We recommend you use either a ball or wooden cricket bat mallet, as this enables you to have greater control during the knocking in process. 
The knocking in process could take approx. 6 hours depending on how soft the willow is. However, if applying extratec then the knocking in process shouldn't take longer than 4 hours. Start the knocking in process initially by hitting the mallet against the blade firmly, but not hard, with the pressure being increased after an hour. After 2 hours the mallet can be hit reasonably hard against the blade.
OILING PROCESS
(This should be done before starting the knocking in process)
Lightly sandpaper the surface of the bat with 180 - 200 grit sandpaper. THIS SHOULD BE DONE PRIOR TO OILING YOUR BAT ON EVERY OCCASION.
Pour enough oil onto the blade of the bat to cover approx. a 50 cent coin.
Using either your finger or a piece of cloth, rub the oil into the front, back, sides and toe of the bat, ensuring none of the oil comes into contact with any of the stickers. DO NOT PUT ANY OIL ON THE SPLICE.
Leave the bat lying horizontal (blade up) overnight.
Repeat the above process a second time: and then repeat the process a 3rd time and a 4th time, but on these last 2 occasions apply the oil to the front (blade) only.
KNOCKING IN PROCESS
We recommend you use either a ball or wooden cricket bat mallet, as this enables you to have greater control during the knocking in process.
The knocking in process could take approx. 6 hours depending on how soft the willow is. However, if applying extratec then the knocking in process shouldn't take longer than 4 hours.
Start the knocking in process initially by hitting the mallet against the blade firmly, but not hard, with the pressure being increased after an hour. After 2 hours the mallet can be hit reasonably hard against the blade.
Make sure all areas of the blade not covered by stickers are knocked in equally and similarly.
During the knocking in process the bat should be oiled at least twice more. We suggest this should happen after 2 hours and 5 hours, making sure you sandpaper the blade first before applying the oil. If applying extratec the bat only needs oiling again after 2 hours.
Do not use the "hitting" end of the mallet to knock in the edges. Instead, use the handle of the mallet to roll, prepare and harden the edges. A stump or similar rounded edged item can also be used for this purpose.
When rolling the edges start at an angle closest to the blade gradually working out to where the angle will become 90 degrees. Repeat this process during the knocking in period, increasing the pressure each time. Do not roll the edges after the extratec has been applied.
When the knocking in process has been completed, and if extratec has not been applied, the blade should be tested to see if it requires more oil. To do this, using a reasonable amount of pressure, run your thumbnail up the blade of the bat, from the toe to just below where the front sticker is. If there is a tiny speck of oil where your thumbnail is, there is enough oil. However, if there is no oil the blade will need to be oiled again. YOUR BAT SHOULD BE TESTED IN THIS MANNER APPROX. EVERY 3 TO 4 WEEKS.
After knocking your bat in, we suggest you use it in the nets first, using an old ball, before using it with a new ball in a match.