Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Equipment => Bats => Topic started by: johnrockin on January 05, 2013, 12:34:38 PM
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Hope that a forum member or two can give me some advice?
I purchased a Laver & Wood Reserve at end of the season before last, with the intention of it replacing my very worn Professional Grade Screaming Cat Series 3 (a dream of a bat and was brought when the pound was strong against the Australian Dollar). Unfortunately, after a few net sessions and a couple of games, I've never really felt at one with the Laver and have ended up patching up my Scat for the last season.
The Laver seems to turn in my hands too much and give a strange feel when hitting the ball. I'm wondering if it's the handle type (Carbocane), grip (Octopus), the thick oval shape, or the bats profile (pretty scooped), that are accounting for this? NOTE: I normally like an oval handle, however this one is pretty pronounced.
From other reviews, I was very excited about getting a Laver and it's looks are top notch with lovely grains and rebound.
So here is the question, should I send it to a local bat maker (I was thinking M&H as I've had 2 M&H's before and liked their handles) and get it handle replaced, or will this mess with the bats balance and/or ruin the ability to sell or swap at a later date.
I'd like to add that this bat is not currently for sale!
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Maybe talk to one of the sponsors on here and they will look after you in regard to replacing the handle
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Hope that a forum member or two can give me some advice?
I purchased a Laver & Wood Reserve at end of the season before last, with the intention of it replacing my very worn Professional Grade Screaming Cat Series 3 (a dream of a bat and was brought when the pound was strong against the Australian Dollar). Unfortunately, after a few net sessions and a couple of games, I've never really felt at one with the Laver and have ended up patching up my Scat for the last season.
The Laver seems to turn in my hands too much and give a strange feel when hitting the ball. I'm wondering if it's the handle type (Carbocane), grip (Octopus), the thick oval shape, or the bats profile (pretty scooped), that are accounting for this? NOTE: I normally like an oval handle, however this one is pretty pronounced.
From other reviews, I was very excited about getting a Laver and it's looks are top notch with lovely grains and rebound.
So here is the question, should I send it to a local bat maker (I was thinking M&H as I've had 2 M&H's before and liked their handles) and get it handle replaced, or will this mess with the bats balance and/or ruin the ability to sell or swap at a later date.
I'd like to add that this bat is not currently for sale!
Theres some grips out there you can use that will change how the handle feels. I know what you mean though, I moved from Oval to a slight oval and hated the bat because of it! Saying that I am trying to make my bat work so the grip change has helped.
The problem is that the re handling changes the feeling and balance of the bat.
If I was you send it, and your Scat to Andy at SAF its what I did, he rebalances my new bat to be as similar to my other bat and it feels a lot nicer. Then if you still want a handle change he wouldnt be a bad bet to use for it.
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I had exactly the same issue with a l&w reserve. Absolutely gorgeous bat but just felt weird. In the end I decided to get chase to rehandle it and, for me, it transformed it. Replacing the carbon handle with a more whippy traditional handle made a big difference. The bat now is lovely. Incidentally chase reckoned it was an absolutely gorgeous bat both before and after rehandling it so maybe it was all in my head?
As has been discussed on here before l&w bats do seem to feel quite 'hard' early on anyway...you will need to spend some time with it even if you do get it rehandled! Worth the time and effort though.....definitely!
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Hi mate. My experience with my Laver suggests they need a bit of playing in. A few nets sessions and a couple of games may not be enough. And if you are really convinced something is not right with it, I would suggest talking to Laver directly and they may be able to look after you. There after sales service is pretty good.
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Maybe talk to one of the sponsors on here and they will look after you in regard to replacing the handle
Deffo agree, speak to one or two of the sponsors. I'd suggest trying a differing grip to see if that helps as it's a lot cheaper than re-handling. See if that makes any difference.
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Maybe talk to one of the sponsors on here and they will look after you in regard to replacing the handle
Agree that this would be a good place to start and M&H have quoted £40 + plus postage. Although this isn't a massive investment, I'm wondering if anyone can give some feed back about a bat which they have had rehandled i.e. balance, performance etc
The Laver handle is also a Super Short and I normally use a Short.
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I had exactly the same issue with a l&w reserve. Absolutely gorgeous bat but just felt weird. In the end I decided to get chase to rehandle it and, for me, it transformed it. Replacing the carbon handle with a more whippy traditional handle made a big difference. The bat now is lovely. Incidentally chase reckoned it was an absolutely gorgeous bat both before and after rehandling it so maybe it was all in my head?
As has been discussed on here before l&w bats do seem to feel quite 'hard' early on anyway...you will need to spend some time with it even if you do get it rehandled! Worth the time and effort though.....definitely!
Thanks that sounds promising. The Laver has been a big disappointment and the Scat is really on its last legs.
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Where are you based? Are you anywhere near a bat maker
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Where are you based? Are you anywhere near a bat maker
Bristol. Any suggestions? I've only heard of M&H and SafBats, but I remember see a brand called Phoenix (I think their local) used in the Bristol league, which I played in for a very short time before I moved out of the city.
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Go to SAF if your close to them. Andy has exceptional attention to detail!
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I know I said it before. But you should seriously consider contacting Laver directly, if you bought it new from them. The Reserve is one of their top models and if they knew a customer is not happy with it, they will sort it out. It may actually cost you less than doing it locally. Flick them an email and see what they say - nothing to lose by doing that.
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Go to SAF if your close to them. Andy has exceptional attention to detail!
I'll get a cost from Andy. I've actually ordered a Hades for this season from him as I'd given up on the Laver
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I know I said it before. But you should seriously consider contacting Laver directly, if you bought it new from them. The Reserve is one of their top models and if they knew a customer is not happy with it, they will sort it out. It may actually cost you less than doing it locally. Flick them an email and see what they say - nothing to lose by doing that.
100% - please do get in touch and we'll see what we can do. info@laverwood.co.nz and we can go from there.
Cheers, Andy and James
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I know I said it before. But you should seriously consider contacting Laver directly, if you bought it new from them. The Reserve is one of their top models and if they knew a customer is not happy with it, they will sort it out. It may actually cost you less than doing it locally. Flick them an email and see what they say - nothing to lose by doing that.
Thanks smokem. I will definitely contact James first.
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Carbon handled bats do sound weird since they are hollow. If you could put a round tape like those SH stickers on the top of the handle, the sound can be muffled slightly.
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Use a Rasp and reshape the handle to your likening but be sure to do a little at a time until it suits your desired shape and then re-twine the handle.
id only suggest this if your confident in doing so if not take it to a bat maker
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I think Phoenix is to do with globe sports, and globe do repairs. M@h is around 45min drive from Bristol so you could take the bat there and get it done while you wait.
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100% - please do get in touch and we'll see what we can do. info@laverwood.co.nz and we can go from there.
Cheers, Andy and James
Done. I look forward to your email. Thanks again for getting involved in the thread.
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For me and purely for me I think the Carbon core handle is the best invention so much so I struggle to use normal cane handles now
I find the laver oval handle though horrible and had to change one of mine misled with. Rasp to round.
The problem most feel is the metallic feel of a laver if it is cargo core fitted the na feels hard but it really isn't it just in the mind
It took me half a season to get to grips with the carbo but glad I did yes it takes time to judge how hard you have hit the thing and the bat sounds hollow but it sure it the best handle I have ever use and the type I now crave for
But I guess it all horses for corses Dan at chase also looked at my bat and thought it was one of the best examples of workmanship he had seen it the core is not to everybody's liking my mate hates them thinks my bat is like a rock but it isn't it all in the handle
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For me and purely for me I think the Carbon core handle is the best invention so much so I struggle to use normal cane handles now
I find the laver oval handle though horrible and had to change one of mine misled with. Rasp to round.
The problem most feel is the metallic feel of a laver if it is cargo core fitted the na feels hard but it really isn't it just in the mind
It took me half a season to get to grips with the carbo but glad I did yes it takes time to judge how hard you have hit the thing and the bat sounds hollow but it sure it the best handle I have ever use and the type I now crave for
But I guess it all horses for corses Dan at chase also looked at my bat and thought it was one of the best examples of workmanship he had seen it the core is not to everybody's liking my mate hates them thinks my bat is like a rock but it isn't it all in the handle
It's interesting to hear that you're all for carbo handles. At the time of purchase everyone was recommending them all over the forum I was on (not this one). Since then the interest seems to have died down a bit. I wonder what the C-Ten is like?
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I've had 2 incredible offers sent by Laver.
1) return the bat for a free replacement (with new specs)
2) sell it and get a replacement at a super discounted price
What great customer service, especially as the bat is pretty old now (although not used)!
Thanks for everyones advice and Andy for getting involved in the thread.
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I've had 2 incredible offers sent by Laver.
1) return the bat for a free replacement (with new specs)
2) sell it and get a replacement at a super discounted price
What great customer service, especially as the bat is pretty old now (although not used)!
Thanks for everyones advice and Andy for getting involved in the thread.
Great to see.
I've seen L&W do this a few times. Part of the reason for the upper cost is you are not just paying for a premium bat, its the peace of mind that you'll get excellent ongoing service.
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Good stuff John. Glad they looked after you.
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Updated with photos of my replacment bat. Thanks again to Andy and James. http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=23425.0 (http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=23425.0)