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[SkipperJ]

For those who have their own way of preparing is this because you know what each action does and the requirement or perceived requirements of the bat or is it based on advice/hearsay?

For me, it's a little bit of both. Also, I like the smell of linseed oil on willow, and knocking in acts as a great stress reliever 

[praguetaz]

I always acquire ebay or forum members cast-offs and follow this procedure:

Remove existing bat face very carefully
Remove any residue
Sand the whole bat back to the natural wood and fine sanding until i'm happy.
Rub on with cloth a generous layer of salix bat wax all over except splice area and leave horizontal for a day or two until it's 'soaked' in and dry to touch
Knock in with a hardwood bat mallet for several hours until i'm happy with the middle and edges
Finish with a ball mallet
Add a final thin coat of bat wax, leave to dry and add a 'hammer edge' bat face sheet
Finally the nets to determine if further knocking in is required

I love it unlike some members but that's just me.. I like knowing my bats have been finally match prepared by me, but then I'm an opening batsman too so maybe that has something to do with it...Also i've never sent a bat off to be serviced either...