Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Companies => Custom companies => Laver & Wood => Topic started by: TopShot on October 04, 2014, 02:56:01 AM
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Hello fellow bat obsessives...
This is my story slash review of the new addition to my bat collection. (lots and lots of pictures here)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/N96YWsRtgE-NhncHNRv60VCvajT5RJ1rxVSTu3CM9Ic=w460-h768-no)
I was researching my options for a new stick to replace my dying mongoose ToRQ and I kept getting drawn towards the idea of getting my first custom made bat. So I checked out what Laver & wood had to offer.... and liked what i saw. I decided to fill out their free bat sizing form and see what happened. Anthony sent me a email right away and we began to have a brief correspondence about what bat would suit my game and playing conditions best. I really had no intention of buying a new stick until possibly next year but I was so impressed by the service and so excited by the prospect of having a bat made to my specs..I went ahead and ordered anyway. (I knew i was in trouble the moment Anthony emailed me to be honest)
I decided on a 2.8 special reserve bat with a mid and extended sweet spot in the special shape with a bit of extra wood left in the toe end (should have gotten the Chad shape but I wasn't aware of it at the time...c'est la vie). I also requested minimal concaving, an oval handle and that the bat weigh no more than 2.9 fully dressed (scuff sheet, toe guard, one grip)
Anthony was in full agreement with my choices and everything was set. About a week later i was browsing Laver's facebook page and saw them offering a 48hr special deal to all first time customers for a special reserve bat fully customized and knocked in for almost $100 less than I had paid exactly a week ago. Needless to say i was shocked and felt like the unluckiest bloke around :(. I decided to contact Anthony anyway to see if by any chance i could get in on their special deal. Anthony decided that due to the circumstances they would upgrade my order to a private bin rather than refund me. I had no issue with this whatsoever :D
So about a solid month later the bat is in my hands and I'm ecstatic. It is beautifully finished and the shape looks stunning. It picks up like a wand and feels so well balanced. Haven't really ping tested it yet but my initial thoughts from a few taps with the mallet is that this bat will need a bit of playing in before it really shows its full potential.
Here she is
Back
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-NOdW-MSiyGA/VC9MF8EbpbI/AAAAAAAAASU/6zpBQTKoffs/w649-h865-no/DSCN1569.JPG)
Grains
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7row8l6AxNM/VC9L7rm6HgI/AAAAAAAAAOk/rht-KWNpaF4/w1024-h768-no/DSCN1547.JPG)
Profile
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-RxNZMnLRk-c/VC9L-bp6yRI/AAAAAAAAAPU/XzMZPMq-RYY/w1024-h768-no/DSCN1553.JPG)
Shape
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-t_I5UfIutvbTed9N_aCXXPqPyOrfvwinSSSXZq7yZ8=w912-h503-no)
A view down her back
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/kl9Zf_WG1PNbEak1onvY3Z9_9yaWIzGZceXJiscbrX8=w697-h654-no)
Top down
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Q5oCbK-nhSKo9zCegH9EbHn71VR2J-0Xl6e5LFpFVgo=w749-h745-no)
Weight
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YgGO_E-UWfE/VC9MCnqIJLI/AAAAAAAAAQg/x-mmTYkMypo/w1024-h768-no/DSCN1562.JPG)
Fancy handle technology
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/k0JiKoxuyN5sm14cEVFjFKJY-8Znfq6s3iLen-mJ55o=w589-h579-no)
One final look at the shape
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_NQCISNe2fU6xAHSo27cXPStMSbzP7iYbrHBBaMkRf8=w482-h864-no)
All in all i am very happy with what i got. It has 35mm edges and about a 60 mm spine. I wasn't too fussed at first with the red and grey stickers but I think they could grow on me. I also found the handle to be really thin. Not a problem as i normally apply a second grip to all my bats and it feels much better in the hands now. The bat has been knocked in but I will be using my free time during the savage Canadian winter to knock her in some more to ensure she's fully ready to blast away next season.
I already promised the missus that this will be the last bat i buy ever. Granted I've made that promise a few times now (have bought three bats already this year) so it might be time to lay low for a few seasons.......
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That's an awesome looking bat...their special profile. It's good of them to upgrade your order. Let us know how it performs.
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Stunning!
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She's so pretty!
Lovely shape....
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Looks like a good stick with plenty of meat where it counts. Hope she serves you well.
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Thanks everyone. I will definitely do an update once I get after it with a mallet and hit a few balls.
Really impressed with the finishing on this thing. No bow in it and the spine feels sharp enough to be used as a blade!
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Lovely looking profile. I hope she doesn't put on any weight :D Last bat ever... Yeah right!
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Lovely looking profile. I hope she doesn't put on any weight :D Last bat ever... Yeah right!
Last bat ever this week! ;)
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I have already been threatened that the next new bat I bring home will be broken over my head. So might have to leave my next bat at the clubhouse then...
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I have already been threatened that the next new bat I bring home will be broken over my head. So might have to leave my next bat at the clubhouse then...
Wait until you're bringing your whole kit bag into the house and sneak it in that way! ;)
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Most Lavers take a bit of time to play in and really get going!
So be patient and you will be rewarded! ;)
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Wait until you're bringing your whole kit bag into the house and sneak it in that way! ;)
That's a good idea mate. Sounds like you have some experience in this department.
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Looks a beauty, and nothing beats the finish and smell of a new laver.
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Most Lavers take a bit of time to play in and really get going!
So be patient and you will be rewarded! ;)
Getting a decent mallet and spending plenty of knocking in speeds up the process greatly
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Nice bat top shot. ..where in Atlantic Canada are you? Chances are I might have met you
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Oh we've met mate. It's Verley from PEI. You know the guy who has never made more than 10 runs against your boys....
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Oh we've met mate. It's Verley from PEI. You know the guy who has never made more than 10 runs against your boys....
Oh hey Verly, look forward to you brandishing the new bat next year mate. Don't worry about the runs, I have never made more than that against you either [emoji6]
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This is such a nice profile....A team mate has the same profiled bat and we all enjoy playing with it. I must say its such a nice bat.
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Wow..beautiful bat :)