Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Equipment => Bats => Custom Made => Topic started by: Str8bat on April 06, 2010, 02:14:30 PM
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Right, so here’s the review of the much awaited Laver Reserve. Back in December I had an unexpected but rather pleasant windfall and decided that the best use of those funds would be to invest in a long standing desire to get 2 bats. The Scat review was posted some time back. This is the second part of that madness that started 4 months ago.
James’ busy schedule over the summer season, my own work load and the time difference meant that it took quite a while to get the specs right. From my side there were few starting specs : 2.10-2.12-ish weight, thicker than usual handle, big spine, gentle bow and a long spread of the sweet spot. Like with Julian, I refrained from being stubborn about my preferred profile, and let him come up with a first proposal that we discussed over a few calls and emails. There was some debate about the concaving and the positioning of the middle because we disagreed initially but in the end came to an amicable solution. Given that I wanted the bat to be responsive low down and have a strong toe, it was understood without having to spell it out that getting the right balance would be critical. Also it went without saying that the mythical low density willow was to be used as I had settled on the Reserve.
Then he went to work, and sent regular updates of what was happening which I found to be a good sign of customer service. Not that I could do anything with that information but it was a good gesture nonetheless. Interestingly he put 2 clefts into the process and tested for ping and weight at different stages, ultimately whittling it down to the one.
Which I received a few days ago. Since I used all the superlatives in the Scat review, I will try to keep this understated. And I would also not compare the two (which will be the topic of a separate post).
First of all, the bat is big. Most bats with big edges I have had didn’t have much of a spine. The only exception to date had been my Redback Allegiance. This bat sets a new benchmark in that field with big edges, spine AND toe.
Second, it has a very long sweet spot. It pings very well from the toe up to slightly below the label. I have had a couple of bats that pinged better smack in the sweet spot but never one that had such a large spread.Quite impressive!
Third, it picks up well too. I haven’t weighed it so don’t know if it picks better than its weight or worse but it definitely feels good in the hands. And the bow is perfect for my taste. And the finish is, as expected, top notch.
Final word on the service. James is a top bloke as many have pointed out previously. You really do get the bespoke experience which is pretty tough to do long distance. Little things like giving the choice of willow (granted you can’t tell a lot from pictures but still a service for what its worth), patiently discussing the specs and regular updates on the bat making process are noteworthy.
So, is it better than the Scat? That will be the topic of a different post shortly where they not only go head-to-head against each other but also take on 5 other challengers. For now, I'll savour the Laver.
(http://lh3.ggpht.com/_6jUqs5vJvqA/TMQTAgVAr4I/AAAAAAAAAEI/vw01O4m9Pmk/s512/P1000113.jpg)
(http://lh3.ggpht.com/_6jUqs5vJvqA/TMQS-oww7mI/AAAAAAAAAD0/YnjG2DbzBXM/s512/P1000106.jpg)
(http://lh6.ggpht.com/_6jUqs5vJvqA/TMQTBG5p4TI/AAAAAAAAAEM/YOBc1JkFsgk/s800/P1000115.jpg)
(http://lh4.ggpht.com/_6jUqs5vJvqA/TMQS--7s9DI/AAAAAAAAAD4/5waP31guNFE/s512/P1000107.jpg)
(http://lh4.ggpht.com/_6jUqs5vJvqA/TMQTAGKjGLI/AAAAAAAAAEE/HqCV8lmXSVY/s512/P1000111.jpg)
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Why is the toe so big?
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MMmmmmmm Chunkyyy
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i want that bat, it looks immense!
Great review and another fantasitc laver - the mans a willow genius!
I like the stickers, but i think with a little modification they could be even better.
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i want that bat, it looks immense!
Great review and another fantasitc laver - the mans a willow genius!
I like the stickers, but i think with a little modification they could be even better.
Agreed, Love the bat.
Stickers look classy they are even better in the flesh.
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SS - you are right, he is a genius. I think his balancing act is pretty special. Agree on stickers. I like the classicism of them but can't help feeling that they can be touched up without losing character.
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That bat looks stupidly good! Love the profile and stickers are very classy.
Still prefer the screaming cat though!! :D
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Whats the pick up like?
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This is like asking a mother if her child is beautiful. Ofcourse the pick-up is fantastic!!! Seriously, it feels very good in the hands. Not the lightness of the Scat. You get the sense of holding something chunky but the arc is very smooth and natural in my view.
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Thats undoubtedly a seriously good bat and I love the chunky toe.
Who wouldnt want a thick toe if the pickup is excellent?
Stickers could be tarted up admittedly but still regains the classy traditonal look like a Newbery.
Im sure you will enjoy the bat...I have a Laver on the way myself and cant wait ;)
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Looks a beaut that mate! I cant tell from the pics but does the spine start after the splice? If you know what I mean? As it seems to appear just after the label?
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PM7 - you are in for a treat. Just opening the package is a delight. I have had so many bats in the past but both the Scat and this Laver really gave me this feeling of getting a unique object.
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Dan - the spine gently rises right around the bottom 1/3 of the splice but the big swell is clearly below it. This was the other thing I was worried about balance wise (apart from the chunky toe). But somehow James managed to balance this well.
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Ok mate, thats how, I guess, he has balanced it by removing weight from the shoulder area. Loving the look of it big chunky toe etc ive got a Solitaire thats similar (profile only, no other comparison!!).
Hope it goes like (No Swearing Please) of a shovel for you mate
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What a pair to choose from!
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That looks an absolute belter, the only thing I dong like is the way the scuff sheet does not quite meet the sticker. But that really is the only thing I don't like, it's one hell off a bat!!
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Dan - actually taking weight off the shoulders was what I was worried about because it puts more relative weight even further down. I think the thicker handle and the concaving helps more in the balance. But I'll let the experts weight in here.
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thats a beauty mate, congrats !!! can you measure the edges and add another pic from toe showing concaving ? how do you feel the bat speed ?
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thats thing looks huge! loving the chunky profile
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Nice bats they look lush!!! You will have to let us know how they play throughout the season!!
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You are one seriously lucky guy! those bats are stonkingly nice!
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Point noted. I will duly report back on the progress of these bats through the summer. Thanks for the feedback guys!
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Sorry to exhume a year old topic but with all the recent buzz around Laver and my nagging guilt at not having used this bat at all last season, I decided to give it a go today in a brief nets session. And am I glad I did! It is an amazingly forgiving bat with even some toe-ended drives going off quite well. And the (rare few) shots off the sweet spot sounded very very nice. I'll report more after a proper net in a couple of weeks, but what I saw and heard today was very heart warming!
Admin - could you please move this topic to the L&W section? thanks
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I was looking at this thread the other day
Is there a queue for this bat also?
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Quite stupidly I was thinking of selling it but one of the forum members rightly warned me that I wouldn't get even close to the price I bought it for. And the new L&W deal on the forum is such a sweet one anyway. So I thought I'll keep this bat for a rainy day (figuratively speaking). I think today's session would settle any thoughts of selling it...for now. But if I can't use it enough in matches (its #3 on my list at the moment) I wouldn't want to hold on just to admire it and might put it up. This type of bat definitely deserves use and has already spent too much time in the closet!