About the Charts Above
Bear Valley Bats has always been very selective with the wood we use to make bats. We have studied the mechanical properties of wood, talked with experts, and developed our own set
of standards that each species must meet before we will make bats from it.
The Most Critical Factors to Consider when Selecting the Best Wood for Baseball Bats
We consider the following mechanical properties of wood to be critically important:
1.) Impact Bending Strength
The capability of wood to resist impact forces.
The minimum strength for Bear Valley Bats is 43, which is the strength of true Northern White Ash
2.) Specific Gravity (Weight/Density)
The minimum for Bear Valley Bats is .60 which is the average for true Northern White Ash. This represents the density of wood as well.
3.) Surface Hardness
As Measured by the Janka Hardness Test. The minimum is 1260 pounds, which is the average surface hardness rating for our Canadian Yellow
Birch.
4.) Ratio of Impact Bending Strength to Specific Gravity (Weight/Density)
This perhaps is the most accurate number to determine the best wood for your bat.
You want to choose the wood with the highest number that you can swing comfortably. For example, Pignut Hickory has the highest rating,
but it is heavy wood; too heavy for most players looking for a game bat.
HOW TO USE THE CHART INFORMATION
1.) Know what length and weight you can comfortably handle, or anticipate you will be able to handle (after a winter in the weight room!)
2.) If you want a bat with a -0 or less, then the wood you should consider will be Northern White Ash, Canadian Yellow Birch, Pecan Hickory,
and European Beech.
If you want a bat that will weigh -0 or more, then any of our true hickories will be best. Many exotic wood species are excellent for these bat
models...and they make uniquely beautiful bats too! If you have any questions about any of this, (whether you plan to buy from Bear Valley
Bats or not), please email us at bvbats@yahoo.com
Some of the wood specification information can get a little technical, so PLEASE feel free ask us for our recommendations. We will explain our
reasoning based on your hitting style, the pitching you expect to see, and the type of bat you prefer.
High Resolution Copies of the Charts are Available Without Charge
Because of Internet limits, the charts we have posted here are not high resolution. We get requests for copies of these, and if you would like
them, they are available free of charge to our customers.
"Inspected by More Umpires Than Any Other Bat Manufacturer"
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Mechanical Properties of the Wood Used by BEAR VALLEY BATS
The charts below do not include Pistachio wood and Black Locust. We will add those species when the wood becomes available again.