Grade 1+ sits one step above Grade 1 and one step below Player Grade. On the Dominator it means 7–9 straight grains, tighter grain spacing than Grade 1, and a face clean enough that blemishes are the exception. Any speckling or tonal variation that remains is a characteristic of natural timber, not a defect, and has no effect on performance. The pressing, handle, warranty and customisation are identical to every bat we make — what improves is the cleft.

There's no single right answer, and grain count is the most over-weighted number in cricket bat buying. Grains record growing seasons, so a higher count means older timber — but a straight-grained seven-grain cleft will outperform a wandering twelve-grain one every time. What matters more is whether the grains run cleanly from toe to shoulder without running out at the edges. The Dominator carries 7–9 straight grains, the point where tight spacing and straightness reliably come together.

Not on their own. More grains mean older, denser timber, which typically gives a crisper initial response but can also mean a slightly more brittle blade that needs careful knocking in. Fewer, wider grains mean younger timber that's softer and often more forgiving in the early weeks. Straightness, absence of grain run-out at the edges, and how the cleft was pressed all matter more than the number you can count on the face.

Butterfly stain is a natural discolouration caused by mineral deposits drawn up through the tree while it was growing. Specks are small dark flecks from the same process. Neither affects performance or durability in any way — they're evidence the willow is genuine and untreated. A face with no marks whatsoever has often been cosmetically bleached or sanded, and that treatment removes information you'd want rather than improving the bat.

Both share 40–42mm edges and identical build. The Striker is Grade 1 with 6–7 grains at ₹20,999. The Dominator is Grade 1+ with 7–9 grains, a 63–66mm spine and a 1150–1250g range at ₹36,999. You're paying for cleft quality, tighter grain spacing and a cleaner face — not for a bigger profile. If your cricket doesn't demand that step, the Striker is the more sensible buy and we'd rather say so.

The Titan Pro is Player Grade with 8–12 grains at ₹49,999 — the cleft we'd give a professional. The Dominator is Grade 1+ with 7–9 grains at ₹36,999. In practical match terms the difference narrows considerably at this level, and much of what separates them is cosmetic maturity in the timber. The Dominator suits serious club and academy cricketers; the Titan Pro suits representative and professional play.

Seven sizes: Size 5, Size 6, Harrow, Short Handle (SH), Long Blade (LB), Long Handle (LH) and Long Blade Long Handle (LBLH) — covering players from roughly age 9 through to tall adults. Choose by height rather than age, and if you're between two sizes take the smaller one.

Yes — every Dominator is built to order. Choose your sweet spot position from the five player profiles, your bat size, and your handle shape (round, oval or semi-oval). You can also note a weight preference in the order notes and we'll hand-pick a matching cleft. Akshat and Utkarsh handle custom orders personally on WhatsApp at +91 95481 82993.

Around 6–8 hours of mallet work spread across two to three weeks, then old-ball throw-downs before you face a new leather ball. Because every Dominator goes through eight hydraulic press stages before it ships, the surface fibres are already partly compressed, so your knocking-in is final conditioning rather than the whole job. Oil first — two light coats of raw linseed, 24 hours apart, none on the splice or handle.

It covers handle failure under normal leather ball cricket use for 12 months from delivery. It does not cover blade damage from mis-hits, damage from wet or waterlogged balls, use in tennis ball cricket, or damage traceable to an incomplete knocking-in process. If something goes wrong, message us on WhatsApp with photos and we'll assess it directly — no retailer in between.

Yes — we ship to 50+ countries including the UK, Australia, USA, UAE, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa. Shipping within India is free. International rates are calculated at checkout and typical delivery is 8–14 days. For international or team orders, message us on WhatsApp and we'll handle it personally.

The Dominator at ₹36,999 is our Grade 1+ bat and the one most of our customers choose — 7–9 straight grains, 40–42mm edges, a 63–66mm spine, eight-stage hydraulic pressing and a Sarawak cane handle. Because we manufacture in Meerut and sell direct, there's no distributor, wholesaler or retailer margin in the price. Compare it across the full English willow range.