Every hitter has a different relationship with the bat in their hands, so every Tater wood bat doesn't come with the same knob. Some hitters want the familiarity of a traditional knob. Others prefer a slight flare, a full flare, a U-knob or a counterbalanced puck knob. Rather than forcing every hitter into the same template, we give you options to find the shape and feel that works for you.
The five knobs at a glance
| Knob | What it does | Tater models |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional | Keeps the grip neutral and out of the way | 243, CB15, X6 |
| Slight flare | A comfortable, neutral grip with a little more knob | XL5, XZ, X24 |
| Flared | Sits in the bottom hand for grip and comfort | X12, C271, I13, KURTZ16, Torpedo |
| U-knob | No bump at the base, protects the hamate and bottom palm | J21, U238 |
| Puck knob | Adds weight below the hands to counterbalance the barrel | X12CB |
Traditional knob
The traditional knob keeps the grip neutral and comfortable, with no adjustment needed whatever your hitting style. It stays out of the way, which lets aggressive hitters commit fully through the zone. You'll find it on our end-loaded power bats, the 243 and CB15, and on the X6.
Slight flare
A slight flare gives the grip a comfortable, neutral feel: nothing fighting your hands, just the bat doing its job. It's on the XL5, XZ and X24.
Flared knob
A flared knob sits comfortably in the bottom hand and keeps the grip secure through hard contact, across different hand positions and hitting styles. It's the knob on the classic 271 turn, so you'll find it on the C271, the X12 and the I13, which pairs the 271's flared knob with a bigger barrel. If you like a 243 for power but found its knob uncomfortable, the I13 is the build to try.
U-knob
Instead of finishing in a knob, the handle flows straight into a smooth U-shaped end, so there's no bump at the base of the bat. That protects the hamate bone and bottom palm, which is why hitters who take a lot of swings or have dealt with hand pain go to it. The J21 is our flagship U-knob bat, and the U238 pairs the same knob with a longer barrel and slight end load. More in the broken hamate mystery.
Puck knob
A hockey puck knob adds weight below the hands. On the X12CB, the puck adds about an inch to the handle end and counterbalances the barrel, moving the balance point toward your hands so the bat feels lighter and moves faster through the zone.
Which knob should you choose?
- Want a neutral grip that stays out of the way: traditional or slight flare.
- Want the bat locked into your bottom hand: flared.
- Take a lot of swings or have hand pain: U-knob.
- Want a faster, lighter-feeling swing: puck knob.
The knob is one piece of the bat. To match a whole model to your swing, see our picks for contact hitters, gap-to-gap hitters and power hitters, and how to choose a wood bat for length, drop and turn model.
Which one are you? Find your knob in our wood bats.
FAQ
What are the different types of wood bat knobs?
Tater bats come with five: traditional, slight flare, flared, U-knob and puck knob. Each one changes how the bat sits in your bottom hand.
What is a U-knob bat?
A U-knob bat has no traditional knob. The handle flows into a smooth U-shaped end, which protects the hamate bone and bottom palm. The J21 and U238 have it.
What does a puck knob do?
A puck knob adds weight below the hands to counterbalance the barrel, so the bat feels lighter and swings faster. The X12CB has one.
Which knob is most comfortable?
It depends on your grip. A flared knob sits in the bottom hand for a secure grip, a traditional or slight flare stays neutral, and a U-knob takes pressure off the bottom palm.
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