Following his fitting, using my new 2014 Rattler, he made the choice to purchase a pair of putters! One of his choices was a Rattler, same as he was fit with, the other style he was looking for was one I had yet to craft. He wanted a blade putter that had shaped shoulders, less dramatic bumpers, a narrow face to rear width and a high toe. His stroke and eye dominance set him up for a plumbers neck and when it came to feel, carbon steel was the perfect material.
Armed with his prescription for loft/lie/length and a weight that felt perfect to him, I headed back to the mill and went to work. He was updated at every turn and it was a lot of fun to send him pix and get his comments in return texts, when he had time to respond. He is a very busy guy and he made the most of his replies, for sure.
What you are seeing in these pictures is the result of many hours of work, a great deal of hand-shaping and working with one of the best welders I have yet to meet.
Look for this new model to be offered on the "CUSTOM PUTTERS" page as soon as I have refined it ever so slightly and am ready for orders.
Thanks for checking in and until it is posted, if you are interested in this model, feel free to contact me directly and ask any questions you may have.
Have a great season,
LaMont Mann
lamont@mannkrafted.com
]]>The heads are milled from 1018 CR Steel and can be built with the neck, stamping and finish of your choice. The two pictured here were both done in a Raw Arizona Hi-Heat, but I controlled the temperature and exposure times to get very different results. I am also offering them in gorgeous Triple-Sheen Black Oxide or your choice of a zero-maintenance matte black polymer finish that gives the putter a Bad Guy Black look in a matte finish that, if simply protected by our MannKrafted cover, will look great for seasons to come. I have other colors of polymer available, just ask when you inquire about the putter.
I have the pictures nearly ready for the site, but will share a couple here so you know how they will look with two different neck choices, the standard plumbers neck or a FlatSide Flow Neck.
Inquire for current availability and cost. I think you will be surprised.
When they are put on the "CUSTOM PUTTERS" page, they will go fast, so don't wait if you want your best shot at one of these gems.
Have a great 2014 and thanks for stopping by,
LaMont Mann
MannKrafted Custom Milled Putters
]]>The brass head is absolutely gorgeous and it feels very soft. The milling does not kill the feel, at all and gives great feedback. I played my first round of 2014 with this one and the factor that grabbed me was that I had no worries about rust or corrosion......ever.
When I milled this head shape, I was trying to blend the look of two classic putters and put a few touches that were my own mind's work. I think I hit it pretty well and am looking forward to milling another out of the brass and using carbon steel for a welded plumbers neck model, soon to follow. I have made a version out of carbon steel, but it left before I had a chance to truly get a feel for what I had created.
Look for this one to become a model offered on the "CUSTOM PUTTERS" page, very soon.
LaMont Mann
MannKrafted Custom Milled Putters, Founder/Designer/Fabricator
As close to a 100% Arizona-made putter as is possible and proud of that fact.
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MannKrafted handmade brass Rattler
MannKrafted hand turned brass ferrule
Is there a material that is being overlooked in the putter world, for use in milling custom designs?
Recently, I have started to look at materials other than 1018 CR Steel and 303 Stainless Steel, as starter materials for my putters, handmade as well as CNC/handkrafted blend putters. The ease of milling that you find with aluminum makes it a good candidate, but the lightweight of the 6061 makes using this metal somewhat challenging. Either you have to mill heads that are substantially larger than standard, or design the heads with thread-in or press-in weights of a denser material, to make up the difference. While not impossible, if I am hand milling a head, the addition of weights definitely adds some thinking and planning. Not to mention, the additional work in manufacturing the weights, also adds a new dimension and man-hours to the projects.
Copper comes to mind, but when it comes to milling that gorgeous metal, speed and feed rate are very key and wear on the tooling is a factor. Pure copper is gummy and tends to build up on the tooling, instead of clearing the piece and falling away. Though pretty, copper is more of a headache than I think is expected.
That leads me to brass, as a putter material. If you have been in golf for 20 years or more, you have probably owned and rolled a Bullseye putter at some point. The feel of that narrow, cast brass blade is one of the best feelings you will get in the game of golf, IMHO. It is soft metal and tends to show the use or non-use of a head cover in the very first round that it is in your bag. I rolled a Bullseye very early on in my golf life and to this day, I have affection for that style. In fact, as I type this page, there is a line-up on my bench, not 24” from my hands, of six Bullseye or Bullseye style putters, resting and watching me. Brass, it seems, might be my next material for use in some of my handmades. It mills very clean, polishes very nicely and is a joy to work into the shapes and contours that sometimes elude me using steel and stainless.
Is there a material that is readily available in the marketplace that you know of, but have not seen put to any great amount of use in our industry? Feel free to comment on any aspect of my ramblings and let me know what you think the best material might be to try in the coming months.
I look forward to hearing from anyone who might have some constructive input.
Keep rolling them at the cup!
LaMont in AZ
MannKrafted Custom Milled Putters
]]>Stay tuned here at MannKrafted.com and you will see the one that is in the works for the Stars of the Season event, this year. It is a replica of one I am making for a very well-known rock artist and is sure to be a hit at the auction, as well as when it hits the short green grass for its duty as the new owner's new favorite putter.
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LaMont had a customer come to us requesting a new look on a putter that was just sitting in a corner of his golf room, not getting played. The Scotty Cameron Sonoma from his California series just never made it into his bag so he was looking for something unique. When someone gives you a total green light to do what you love to do, it is always best to put on your thinking cap and come up with something they never expected.
The Scotty Cameron Sonoma was first treated to a new neck that was turned on the manual lathe and fit nicely without overpowering the head. The neck was moved a bit to adjust the toe hang to fit the customer's stroke a little better. We knew that he wanted to go with a deep milling, but put that on hold because the face was near mint condition. The original milling on the 2012 Scott Cameron putter series is fairly deep, so if we can preserve work already done, it benefits all involved to do so.
Now the fun part, creating a total unique look using the stock head, that looks nothing like a stock Scotty Cameron. Through several drawings, the "B-back" look kept screaming at LaMont. The length of the Scotty Cameron Sonoma is generous and can certainly handle the hand work. The depth from face to rear edge of the flange is also sufficient to make this idea a keeper. LaMont bit the bullet, did one last drawing and sent a copy to the customer. He absolutely loved the concept.
The Scotty was now off to the band saw, belt sander and mill for some serious work. All three tools played their roles perfectly and when LaMont had the shape he wanted, he refined the new neck and headed for the welding table. We have one of the best young welders in the state doing all the MannKrafted work, Mr. Josh Eastburn. He has serious skills and has not shied away from a challenge, yet.
For the final finish, we went with simple Silver Mist. It will look great for a long time and requires no upkeep. Good for the guy who likes to game his putters, not baby them, LOL.
The customer could not believe how sweet it looked when it arrived. When he put it in play, his response was even better.
LaMont doesn't do as much custom work as he used to, but when a project comes along that really gives him the chance to showcase his imagination he loves to jump on those. Here are a few pics of how the putter turned out.
Thanks for stopping by the site and keep rolling the rock towards the hole.
-Ryan
]]>We are going to be using more and more of these in the future. The few MannKrafted Customs we have sent out with the PURE grips have received excellent feedback. Here is a link to the grips on PURE's site: http://www.puregrips.com/grips/view/pure_classic/
The process at MannKrafted is unlike any other in the business. When you order a custom putter from MannKrafted, you literally have the opportunity to build your custom piece. No other manufacturer in the business allows for the custom options that are standard with every MannKrafted order. Here is the process from a client's perspective from a recent project that we undertook with a customer.
The client contacted us through the site and had seen some putters that he really liked the look of. After going through several different MannKrafted models, Mark was ready to submit his spec sheet. Here is what that looked like:
Here are pictures of the final product:
Mark is absolutely ecstatic about his new putter. After receiving the putter, he sent this message to us:
LaMont I am in LOVE with my putter. I can't believe I have been a Scotty Cameron collector for the last five years and your work was out there!!!
MannKrafted's goal with custom putters is to simplify the process and ensure a perfect fit for the client. Our custom putters truly allow for full customization. If you have had a putter in your head or see one on the site you want to customize, let us know how we can help bring your vision to reality. Use the form below and get your custom putter started today.
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LaMont was able to meet up with David at Desert Mountain for the Schwab Cup Championship. After sinking the first three putts David was impressed. After about half an hour on the putting green David said the club was going in the bag immediately. True to his word MannKrafted made its first appearance on the Champions Tour the following day. David decided to go with a 2012 Stainless Steel Rattler. It was finished in a torch finish with masking on sole.
David Frost played great and tied for 10th place. Keep an eye out for more MannKrafted Putters popping up on PGA tour and Champions Tour. We are excited to have David Frost on board and are looking forward to him continuing his phenomenal putting.
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The first putter available is one that we have had in the shop for almost two years. The First Rattler is LaMont's take on a very classic design. The feel is incredible and is one of the softest putters LaMont has created to date. The First Rattler is a plumber’s neck version of the flat bumpered Rattler model. It is milled out of 1018 Cold Rolled Steel with a hand-welded neck. The putter weighs 350 grams and has an aggressive face milling and some very basic stamping to identify it as the First Rattler. This is the first and only Rattler model that LaMont ever finished in the Teflon infused nickel. The grip was made by a local company in Scottsdale, Patrick Gibbons Handmades, and is lizard skin. This is truly a one-of-a kind piece that can either be a daily gamer or in the putter display in your man cave.
This putter has a great feel, weight and balance. This was a putter LaMont created and has never listed it on any site for sale. This putter has been hanging on the rack at the shop and has been part of LaMont’s personal collection. Once we decided to hold the "Kustom Garage Sale", LaMont knew this putter needed to be part of the event.
The second putter available is the Looong Snake. The putter was named for the long neck hosel that was designed by Byron Morgan. It is 100% 1018 Cold Rolled Carbon Steel. It was made in the form of the MannKrafted Rattler design. The Looong Snake is the first MannKrafted to have the triple sight lines and triple logos in the cavity. This putter really called out to LaMont for a little dressing up. The Looong Snake is unique in the sense that it is getting a second chance at life. This putter was gamed on the Gateway and Pepsi Tour for a season and is now ready to enjoy a little slower lifestlye. After a year of grinding on the Tour it is ready for some casual days at the course. The putter has been completely pampered and restored to better than new condition. The putter weighs in at 348 grams and has a Super Stroke Ultra Slim grip and gorgeous black chrome shaft. The face has very nice deep milling ensuring a buttery smooth feel. It has been finished in a Torch finish giving the putter a ton of character. If you like long neck putters, the Looong Snake with be your friend.
The Mid Mini Bank Bar is a putter that was created shortly after LaMont started making his Micro Mini putters. It is made from 100% Cold Rolled Carbon Steel with a matching neck. LaMont wanted to create something between the popular Mini model and the Micro Minis. The Mid Mini was taken to the wheels and softened a great deal. It was a putter that LaMont loved the look of out of the gate. It has all softened bumpers, a full round neck, gentle bends in the neck to give it that smooth flowing neck and all the corners are rounded with everything melted. It is a real putter, but it is just a lot smaller. The weight is 338 grams. It has minimal stamping and marks. The feature that sets this putter apart from the rest is a little "love bite" due to a slight mishap in the milling. LaMont decided to leave a little evidence and it looks just like a little smile out on the toe. The Mid Mini melts together and is one of the smoothest looking putters around. This is just a gorgeous putter waiting to make its new owner very happy.
This design was inspired by the Bank Bar Mini. LaMont wanted to create a putter that was slightly shorter and a little boxier. It is milled out of 100% Cold Rolled Carbon Steel with a Carbon Steel neck. It is finished in a black oxide with very faint sight lines on the bumpers a ball width apart. It is a great putter for guys who can go either way with sight lines- they are there when you want them and they can hide when you don't want to focus on them. The only markings on the putter that designate it as a MannKrafted are the 5 dot logo on the face. The weight on the putter is 348 grams. It has approximately 4:30 toe hang. It is definitely a rare putter in the sense that it is a mini and there just aren't a lot on the market. As LaMont likes to say, "It's as cute as putters come". This putter was fitted with a Salty cork oversized grip giving the smaller putter a great feel and stroke.
This is another unique putter. The Long Slope was created from two different metals. The neck is 303 Stainless and the head was done in 1018 Cold Rolled Carbon Steel. The neck was polished to a high mirror finish. The head was also polished and then treated with a glass bead misring and a media blast with aluminum oxide and finished off with a black oxide finish. This gives the Long Slope a beautiful triple black finish with three different sheens. The head was milled in the style of a Fatt Rattler with a wider footprint. It is slightly heavier than a traditional putter and weighs in at 370 grams. The neck is very unique in the fact that it is a handmade Long Slant neck that was welded and then bent to a perfect lie angle of 70* and 4* loft. This is something you just don't see any other guys attempt to make a Long Slant neck. This one was a challenge but incredibly fulfilling to create. This putter was made as a prototype and is one of LaMont's personal favorites. The new owner will truly have a one-of-a kind flat stick.
This single flange wide body blade flows from heel to toe. This was an original MannKrafted design back from 2009. LaMont recently decided to take another crack at this design. He used 1018 Cold Rolled Carbon Steel for the head and neck. This model has a slightly bigger footprint with 1-5/8" wide giving the player a very confident look standing above it. With the rear flange being parallel to the face, it gives it an extremely balanced solid feel and look. There is hardly anyone in the game today making center shafted handmade putters. This model recently went to a tour player in Texas and within the first week of arriving was used to defeat a former British Open Champion in tournament play. That was a beautiful message to receive :) The weight is 360 grams. The Wide Body Arizona features a gorgeous torch finish adding a ton of character. It is set at 69* lie and 4* loft. It has an aggressive face milling and can be cut to any length for the new owner.
This is one of LaMont's favorite putters to date. It has so many features that make it unique. It is called the Super Sport. It has an aggressive stance. If you look at it from the face side you will notice that the toe slopes out away from the player giving it a very aggressive stance. This putter was inspired by another one of LaMont's passions- hot rods. LaMont loves driving fast, loud noises and old muscle cars. This putter was inspired by an American Classic- the Chevrolet Chevelle. The Chevelle had the nose that sloped away from the driver and then it came back on the hood. The Super Sport head is milled from 100% Cold Rolled Carbon Steel. The hosel is a hand bent mid-slant with one full shaft of offset. The hosel itself was spun from a rod of 303 Stainless Steel polished to a mirror finish and then welded onto the putter. The putter was finished in a black oxide so the head took the nice deep rich triple black finish with some areas matte finished, some areas satin and other areas of the head in a high polish. The Super Sport has some unique logo designs. The face has the 5 dot logo inside of a circle and is only the second putter to get this unique stamp, Super Sport on the bumpers and 2012 on the heel. This is a very clean putter that helps in getting your hands in front of the ball without a forward press. It weighs in at 365 grams. Whoever picks this one up will not be disappointed. This putter is a 1 of 1 Prototype and is the first of many MannKrafted Super Sports. Everyone who has rolled this at the shop absolutely loves the putter. This is a model you will see for many years to come from MannKrafted. Own the first, own the original.
]]>Here at MannKrafted something amazing has been happening lately. We have been getting stories on a weekly basis from new MannKrafted owners. The emails are very suspicious because they claim to have found the secret to better putting. These golfers are claiming incredible results in no time flat. It made us start thinking that we may have found the fastest way to improve a golfers putting. Here is an email from a client who just got his Fatt Rattler 2012:
Lamont,
Just a quick note on the new putter. I have played 2 rounds with it thus far. ( I have been tracking my putts per round for about a year now & on average I’m a hair better than 2 putts per hole. Average 33 putts per round )
First round, with barely zero practice on the putting green, I had 31 putts for the round.
Second round, which was this past Sunday, I had 28 putts!
Absolutely love the Fatt Rattler! The ball rolls off the blade better than any putter I have ever own. I’m really starting to develop some confidence with it.
Thanks a ton!
Regards,
Steve
Here is what JK had to say about his new flat stick:
So, how about the quality? Well, the inaugural round happened to be my first ever round at East Lake Golf Club (site of the Tour Championship). I rolled almost 120 feet of putts, taking just 29 putts to shoot a one-under par, 71. This putter is in my bag for good.If you are looking for a quick way to shave a few strokes off the scorecard maybe try what Steve and JK did...
-Ryan
]]>Fast forward in time and a couple years ago I was having a conversation with Tad and was told, "I know that I had a plan for these heads, but cannot recall what it was." The plan seemed to slip away and after purchasing a relatively small number of these putter heads, Tad returned to his shop in LaGrange, Georgia and put them away in an unmarked box....................where they sat, untouched for over 20 years!
I did a good amount of work for Tad over the past couple years and when a customer purchased one of these raw heads from Tad and asked me to "MannKraft" it, I was happy to put on my thinking cap and come up with something very unique.
This blade started with a very raw forged head that had a good amount of rust from 20+ years of storage in a moist climate. To increase the challenge there were also forging marks that ran all the way around the putter head like a bulging seam that split the putter in half, running down the neck, along the top edge of the putter, down the toe and back from the toe end to heel end and up the neck, again.
To say the least, the forging marks were a pain to clean up sufficiently and come away with this end result.
Next, I removed a width of material from the face, making room for the Damascus steel insert. While I had that section cleared, I also milled three ports, each approx. .375" in diameter and .250" deep. In each of these ports, I dropped a tungsten cylinder that I had turned on the lathe to fit snugly. These three plugs brought the weight of the putter up to a more modern weight (remember this thing was originally forged in the 1980's). This style head normally weighed in at between 310-318 grams. With the addition of the cylinders, this one is slightly over 330 grams.
The putter is currently in finishing getting a refresh on the hot salts black oxide finish and will be available for pictures very, very soon.
-LaMont in AZ
It is milled from 1018 Cold Rolled Carbon Steel and the entire putter is either hand milled on a manual mill or hand spun on a manual lathe. I have one of the premier welders in the state doing my welding and his work on this one is as good as it gets, IMHO.
The putter was made to be somewhere between a mallet and a blade, with the goal of toe hang being near 4 O'clock. We hit about 3:45 and managed to keep it just a shade over 350 grams, prior to the face milling being done for loft. That is the area that still has some work to be done, with a trio of inserts being press-fit into the face, then milled to give it a unique look and feel.
Keep checking back as this one is set for a trip for some very cool engraving and when it is back in my hands, we'll have one extremely unique and cool putter.
Thanks,
LaMont in AZ
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The shaping took a couple of close efforts before they were able to nail down the exact look they wanted. The flow of the lines on the flange help keep the stroke focused in the direction of the hole, while the carbon steel blade gives it a great feel at impact. LaMont used a stub welding and a double bend true temper shaft. The stub allows for easier adjustments to the lie angle without having to mess with bending the shaft. The C'est La Vie Prototype is face balanced and has a deep milled putter face. The weight of the putter is on the heavier side but is very well balanced and has a great stroke to it.
This putter was an absolute blast for LaMont to make. She turned out stunning. The customer was amazing to work with and was very involved through the process. It is always fun to bring something like this together. This was actually an interesting putter because we had to look up the USGA rules and make sure it was conforming. This is only putter we could think that had screws in the face. This one was a tough putter to see leave the shop but as the doctor who ordered it would say- C'est la Vie.
You can check out the final pictures here: 2012 MannKrafted C'est la Vie Prototype
If you guys have some cool ideas for designs or mill patterns on these we are always looking for fresh concepts. Shoot us an email (lamont@mannkrafted.com) and let us know what you think. Here is a close up of the belt buckles that LaMont worked on yesterday as well as a shot from a happy customer last week.
These will be shipping out today after a little shaping and clean up. This should really make a statement at the Pro-Am.
As I was pulling these pictures up I came across another file. I found these pics from a proud MannKrafted owner showing off his new putters (he bought a set) at the course. These are a little different than some of the other ones LaMont has been making in 2012 so I wanted to share them. The milling on the Fatt Rattler really turned out nice (bottom right pic).
Take care guys.
-Ryan
]]>Secondly, we would like to thank all of the Maginnes on Tap listeners. Your response and support over the last 24 hours has been amazing. The few Proto's went quick yesterday but if you guys see one you like that is sold out or are interested in discussing a custom build putter feel free to email us at lamont@mannkrafted.com and we will get you squared away.
The Maginnes on Tap contest will be running through Monday so be sure to call in and get your name entered in the contest. Here are a couple pics of the putter:
We really appreciate the support and kind words from so many of you. If there is anything we can do to help don't hesitate to call or email.
Thanks,
-Ryan
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LaMont was going to create another version of the Mini Super Sport he created a couple months back. We didn't have the putter on hand so we had to try and track it down in a file of about 2,000 putter pics. As much fun as it was to go through all those pics- LaMont has made some absolute gems over the years- we came to the realization that we didn't have the pic. It must still be on a camera or on another computer because it was no where to be found. So, typical LaMont, he just starts going to work creating it from feel and memory.
It was around this time that we noticed one of the putters sitting on the bench had a case of finish eating bacteria. The gorgeous torch finish LaMont had just completed the day before was simply missing from about a dime size circle behind the neck. It was about this time I noticed a reddish substance on the glove right behind the putter head. Why would this be sitting on the bench right next to the completed putters? The bigger question LaMont and I were try to solve is where did unknown substance come from. After looking at every bottle within 10 feet we still had not found the culprit. It was around this time LaMont noticed the slice of pizza sitting on the shelf above. We found the source of the mystery goop- pizza sauce. The acidity from the sauce stripped the finish right off the putter. So, keep that in mind if you are ever in a pinch and don't have acetone grab tomato sauce from the fridge.
After solving the mystery of the finish eating bacteria LaMont was able to mill the rough topline and shoulders for the Super Sport. We called it an early day so he could catch the Diamondbacks game with his wife. We will keep you updated on the progress of the mini-project.
-Ryan