Why we do it
Built for consistency.
What a custom handle gives you
The same feel, every time
Shape a handle once and we can repeat it exactly. Two bats, three, or ten that feel identical in your hands.
Shaped to your spec
We 3D-model the handle to the profile, thickness and length that suit you, then cut it the same way every time.
A range of shapes
From semi oval and oval through to rectangle oval, octo and axe. Hold them at the workshop and feel the difference.
Match your old bat
Loved the handle on your last bat? We can measure it and rebuild that exact feel into your new one.
The same bat, year after year.
Hand-shaping by feel is a craft, but no two come out quite the same. By modelling the handle we take nothing away from that craft and add something most makers cannot: repeatability. When you find a bat you love, we can make it again, and again, exactly as it was. That is what the best players want, and it is what we build for.
Modelled, then made by hand.
We build a 3D model of your handle and shape it with precision, then finish the bat by hand the way we always have. Technology for the feel you want, handcraft for everything else. It is the same approach the best players in the country come to us for.
Designed down to the millimetre.
Every Cooper handle starts as a precise 3D model, so your shape comes out identical, bat after bat. Spin the real models below and find the one that fits your hands.
Find your handle
Eight handle shapes
The handle decides how the bat sits in your hands and how light it feels. Here is the full range, with the cross-section at the top and bottom of each.
Thin, standard or thick?
Every shape comes in three sizes, measured on the bare timber before anything goes on. The first number is always the width, the second is always the height.
To picture the finished feel in your hands: our binding adds 0.75mm on each side, and the wall of a rubber grip runs anywhere from 1mm to 2.5mm depending on the pattern (ours are 1.5mm). That is 2.25mm a side, so add about 4.5mm to each number. A thin Round top hand at 27mm W x 27mm H comes out near 31.5mm W x 31.5mm H once it is bound and gripped.
A thin handle takes weight out of your hands and gives a touch more flex. A thick handle adds weight in your hands, which counterbalances the blade, improves the pickup and makes the handle significantly stiffer. Standard sits in the middle. And if you are weighing up a Cooper bat, do not be afraid to measure the handle you play with now, it is the quickest way to find your size.
Semi Oval
A great all-rounder. Slightly taller in the bottom hand but still round on the finger side of the grip, it gives good counterbalance to what is happening in the rest of the bat. A great handle choice for most cricketers.
| Thin | Standard | Thick | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top hand | 27mm W 27mm H | 29mm W 29mm H | 31mm W 31mm H |
| + grip | 31.5mm W 31.5mm H | 33.5mm W 33.5mm H | 35.5mm W 35.5mm H |
| Bottom hand | 27mm W 34mm H | 29mm W 36mm H | 31mm W 38mm H |
| + grip | 31.5mm W 38.5mm H | 33.5mm W 40.5mm H | 35.5mm W 42.5mm H |
+ grip rows are the expected thickness once binding and one of our grips are fitted. Grips vary, so this will change with the thickness of your grip.
Oval
Rod's favourite handle. It promotes excellent bottom-hand control for full-face hitting on straight bat shots, and lets us carry a nice high spine up into the handle to maximise the balance of the bat. A great handle for junior and youth players too, keeping their hands in the right spot.
| Thin | Standard | Thick | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top hand | 27mm W 27mm H | 29mm W 29mm H | 31mm W 31mm H |
| + grip | 31.5mm W 31.5mm H | 33.5mm W 33.5mm H | 35.5mm W 35.5mm H |
| Bottom hand | 27mm W 36mm H | 29mm W 38mm H | 31mm W 40mm H |
| + grip | 31.5mm W 40.5mm H | 33.5mm W 42.5mm H | 35.5mm W 44.5mm H |
+ grip rows are the expected thickness once binding and one of our grips are fitted. Grips vary, so this will change with the thickness of your grip.
Rectangle Oval
Similar to the Oval but with much flatter sides, which some players prefer. The flats give excellent tactile feedback on your bottom-hand fingers as you grip the bat. Like the Oval it is excellent for straight bat shots, promoting good bottom-hand control and defined finger placement for beginner, junior and youth cricketers.
| Thin | Standard | Thick | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top hand | 27mm W 27mm H | 29mm W 29mm H | 31mm W 31mm H |
| + grip | 31.5mm W 31.5mm H | 33.5mm W 33.5mm H | 35.5mm W 35.5mm H |
| Bottom hand | 27mm W 36mm H | 29mm W 38mm H | 31mm W 40mm H |
| + grip | 31.5mm W 40.5mm H | 33.5mm W 42.5mm H | 35.5mm W 44.5mm H |
+ grip rows are the expected thickness once binding and one of our grips are fitted. Grips vary, so this will change with the thickness of your grip.
Ultra Oval
For the extreme oval-handle lovers, and cricketers who liked the Julian Millichamp style of handle. Very tall in the bottom hand, it provides phenomenal balance in your bat thanks to the high spine carried into the handle. It does add weight in the hands, but the extra weight on the scales means nothing when the pickup is this good.
| Thin | Standard | Thick | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top hand | 27mm W 27mm H | 29mm W 29mm H | 31mm W 31mm H |
| + grip | 31.5mm W 31.5mm H | 33.5mm W 33.5mm H | 35.5mm W 35.5mm H |
| Bottom hand | 27mm W 37mm H | 29mm W 39mm H | 31mm W 41mm H |
| + grip | 31.5mm W 41.5mm H | 33.5mm W 43.5mm H | 35.5mm W 45.5mm H |
+ grip rows are the expected thickness once binding and one of our grips are fitted. Grips vary, so this will change with the thickness of your grip.
Traditional
Similar to a Semi Oval but slightly thicker at the bottom. The Traditional is great for the all-round player who already has excellent bottom-hand control, and it suits a lot of players.
| Thin | Standard | Thick | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top hand | 29mm W 29mm H | 31mm W 31mm H | 33mm W 33mm H |
| + grip | 33.5mm W 33.5mm H | 35.5mm W 35.5mm H | 37.5mm W 37.5mm H |
| Bottom hand | 31mm W 36mm H | 33mm W 38mm H | 35mm W 40mm H |
| + grip | 35.5mm W 40.5mm H | 37.5mm W 42.5mm H | 39.5mm W 44.5mm H |
+ grip rows are the expected thickness once binding and one of our grips are fitted. Grips vary, so this will change with the thickness of your grip.
Octo
An eight-sided handle inspired by how comfortable a tennis racquet grip can be. Excellent for finding finger placement on the bottom hand, and it dampens vibration through its multiple sides. Surprisingly comfortable for people who think it might be a bit weird. The bottom hand is raised, similar to an Oval, for great feel and balance in the bat.
| Thin | Standard | Thick | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top hand | 27mm W 27mm H | 29mm W 29mm H | 31mm W 31mm H |
| + grip | 31.5mm W 31.5mm H | 33.5mm W 33.5mm H | 35.5mm W 35.5mm H |
| Bottom hand | 27mm W 32mm H | 29mm W 34mm H | 31mm W 36mm H |
| + grip | 31.5mm W 36.5mm H | 33.5mm W 38.5mm H | 35.5mm W 40.5mm H |
+ grip rows are the expected thickness once binding and one of our grips are fitted. Grips vary, so this will change with the thickness of your grip.
Axe
For players who want a super defined top-hand grip: the Axe has an extremely flat top section to the handle. It is not for everyone, and we advise you feel it before choosing it for your bat. We know not everyone can get into our shop, and if you cannot feel it first, our honest advice is don't get it.
| Thin | Standard | Thick | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top hand | 29mm W 29mm H | 31mm W 31mm H | 33mm W 33mm H |
| + grip | 33.5mm W 33.5mm H | 35.5mm W 35.5mm H | 37.5mm W 37.5mm H |
| Middle | 23mm W 31mm H | 25mm W 33mm H | 27mm W 35mm H |
| + grip | 27.5mm W 35.5mm H | 29.5mm W 37.5mm H | 31.5mm W 39.5mm H |
| Bottom hand | 29mm W 34mm H | 31mm W 36mm H | 33mm W 38mm H |
| + grip | 33.5mm W 38.5mm H | 35.5mm W 40.5mm H | 37.5mm W 42.5mm H |
+ grip rows are the expected thickness once binding and one of our grips are fitted. Grips vary, so this will change with the thickness of your grip.
Round
For the super wristy or super bottom-hand-dominant players. Not our favourite handle, if we are being honest: it does not allow good height transfer of the spine into the hands, which can be a disadvantage, especially with a lower middle, because the bat will feel heavier for it. Not recommended for players trying to keep the bottom hand out of their top-hand-dominant straight bat shots.
| Thin | Standard | Thick | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top hand | 27mm W 27mm H | 29mm W 29mm H | 31mm W 31mm H |
| + grip | 31.5mm W 31.5mm H | 33.5mm W 33.5mm H | 35.5mm W 35.5mm H |
| Bottom hand | 32mm W 32mm H | 34mm W 34mm H | 36mm W 36mm H |
| + grip | 36.5mm W 36.5mm H | 38.5mm W 38.5mm H | 40.5mm W 40.5mm H |
+ grip rows are the expected thickness once binding and one of our grips are fitted. Grips vary, so this will change with the thickness of your grip.
What a custom handle costs
With a new custom bat
Your custom-shaped handle is included. No extra charge, it is simply how we build your bat.
Re-handling your current bat
A one-off $99 setup fee to model your handle shape, on top of the re-handle itself.
Then it is yours forever
Once your handle is in our system, we can reproduce it on any bat, new or old, with no setup fee ever again.
Handle questions
Asked all the time in the workshop.
Why would I want an oval handle?
To keep your bottom hand out of your top-hand dominant shots. The taller oval style shapes stop the bottom hand taking over, so your straight bat shots stay straight.
What are top-hand dominant shots?
Front-foot drives, back-foot drives and cover drives: the straight bat shots where you are driving the bat, and you should be controlling that swing with your top hand. The bottom hand is just along for the ride.
Why do I want good top-hand control?
Because you want to present a full face to the ball as you hit it. If your bottom hand is interfering with the shot, the bat face has more chance of turning, and a turning face means you connect with the middle less often.
My straight drive goes to leg, or my cover drive ends up at mid-off. Why?
That is a surefire sign your bottom hand is interfering with your top hand and turning the face. Our recommendation: a Semi Oval at a minimum, and preferably an Oval, Rectangle Oval or Traditional handle to put your top hand back in charge.
I have a thin handle. Why does my bat feel heavy?
Because there is nothing to counterbalance what is happening lower in the bat, and less weight in your hands to pick up. Handle size contributes hugely to how a bat feels: if you do not have size in the handle, your bat will always feel heavier than the scales say.
Why is there a bulging bit at the bottom of my handle?
Your handle was set badly. It was fitted too far towards the face of the bat, and the maker then had to factor that into the shaping, which leaves a bulge at the bottom and a very skinny top of the handle or neck. It is complacent bat making, and it is exactly what precise handle setting avoids.
What is the disadvantage of a thin round handle?
Two things. Your pickup suffers, and the neck of your bat (where the splice and the blade join) is weaker, because there is not enough wood in that joint. That joint cops enormous stress with the way cricket is played now: T20 styles, hitting fours and sixes, aggressive bat speed. You need a strong neck to absorb that punishment.
Why would I want all my bats to have the same handle?
Cricket is all about consistency. If every bat you own feels the same, your training bat feels like your match bat, and nothing changes on game day. The feel in the hands is the single most important feature of a cricket bat outside of having the middle position correct for your game.
Custom handle enquiry
Tell us about your handle
Whether you want a custom-shaped handle on a new bat, a handle replacement, or to match the feel of an old favourite, give us the details and the workshop will come back to you.