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[Chad]

Well overdue on many bats that I've acquired over the past year or so, but here we go to start the catch up - and what better way to start than with a pair from our own @jonny77  Scott Cricket!

Both these bats were acquired in person, on separate visits and happened to be stock bats that Jonny had just made up. Here are some pictures of the pair together:







As you can see, both bats have similar characteristics in terms of shaping, albeit a slight difference in swell position. This is where the numbers in the profile name come into play. (The distance in mm the swell is away from the toe)


First up, more pictures of the JS170:














Specifications:
Profile: JS170
Weight: 2lb 9.7oz
Handle Shape: Semi-oval tapering to a round (39:37mm where I put my bottom hand)
Spine Height: 66.4mm
Edge Size: 39mm
Width Front: 108mm
Width Back: 106-107.5mm
Toe Centre: 26mm
Toe Edge: 22-23mm
Shoulder Edge: 15mm
Spine into Handle: 37mm
Balance point: 60.032 (709.1g - 472.1g)


Initial thoughts:

I picked this one up from my first ever visit at Jonny's I believe, or at least on the return journey when I was picking up a bat that he kindly applied one of his toe guards on for me. Looks wise, the bat itself is a generous Grade 2, with 9 pretty clean grains - I wouldn't have been surprised to see this as a G1. The bat itself has a lovely feel when tapping up a ball with and feels a little 'supple' - I get the feeling it won't take long to knock in, and the ping is wonderful out of the packet. Pick up wise, for something with a low middle is really quite lovely. It feels beautifully balanced, while having that little feel of having something with a fairly substantial amount of wood in it. In terms of finishing, this one wasn't quite as good as Jonny's previous bat - which I did bring up with him. Turned out he had been experimenting with slightly different sanding pads, which didn't quite achieve what he normally sets out for.














Specifications:
Profile: LS190
Weight: 2lb 11.9oz
Handle Shape: Oval tapering to round (41.7mm : 37mm)
Spine Height: 68mm
Edge Size: 38mm
Width Front: 107mm
Width Back: 107mm
Toe Centre: 26mm
Toe Edge: 21mm
Shoulder Edge: 13mm
Spine into Handle: 39mm
Balance Point 60.178 (750g : 496.3g)

Initial thoughts:


I told Jonny to hold this one aside for me when he popped it on Instagram, just before I was about to head down to London to work for a few weeks. I finally got to see it on my way back up, where Jonny was kind enough to open up his workshop for myself and my girlfriend to come in and try out batmaking. I had already shaped up some bats before, so I had a rough idea of what was in store for me, but the girlfriend had a cracking time shaping up a bat. (She didn't finish it up, but she really enjoyed the experience) I did have to hint for him to keep quiet about me buying it, as I didn't want the missus to know I was buying yet ANOTHER bat.

But back onto the bat itself - looks wise, I'd say a fair G1. There are a lot of grains and clean, however they aren't evenly spaced. Some of them may be false growths, but from what I can see through the toe, the grains do run through, so could have been rather strange growing conditions for the tree itself. The bat itself feels a stiffer than the JS170 - perhaps this is due to the thicker oval handle, the handle itself, and the bat itself has been pressed a bit firmer. I don't think it will take much knocking at all, and the responsiveness is on point out of the packet. The finishing had returned to the high standards that Jonny has for himself as he had returned to his previous sanding pads. The bat definitely feels like it has a bit more weight in it than the JS170 - but the bat is still beautifully balanced for the weight - thanks to the slightly higher swell. But it is interesting to see how the duckbill and slightly more substantial shoulder has been coupled with the JS170 to achieve a balance that Jonny likes, while the LS 190 has a slightly higher swell, but with the spine blending into the toe rather than duckbilling allowing for the weight to be distributed a bit lower as well.


Conclusions:

From numerous visits, I have definitely grown fond of Jonny's work, and also of Jonny himself as a person. The service he offers to his customers, his attention to detail and the end product he offers are all of the highest standard that he can output, and every bat that he sends out, he ensures is made to the best of his ability and he is happy with. These 2 bats were literally just stock shapes that I happened to come across, and weren't any special request bats. I would highly recommend anyone in the area to pop in for a visit, especially if you're looking for a new bat in today's crazily priced market. I know I don't need anymore bats, but just writing this review and looking at his new stickers, I may have to pop back down for another bat or 3. Hope this was enjoyable, and I haven't rambled on for too long.

And finally - to end with, here's a video of Jonny shaping up a JS170, and talking me through how his process was like - I say was, as he's now pressing his own too. Maybe next time I'm down for a visit, I can get a full process bit of footage.


https://youtu.be/xGCxicupWF8

[Jimbo]

Bats look lovely as I've come to expect from Jonny's work. Amazing how quickly Scott has evolved as a brand since I first bought one.

[Chad]

Bats look lovely as I've come to expect from Jonny's work. Amazing how quickly Scott has evolved as a brand since I first bought one.

Yes - it has been a pretty big change compared to the beginning. From what I've seen, it's grown at a solid rate - Jonny has taken his time to really nail down each stage I feel before progressing, and finding a workflow that works for him. now to try stop myself from just collecting all the colour options, and to prevent him from releasing any more. 🤣

[jonny77]

Appreciate the review @Chad and the support you've shown. Not only to me but to the other brands on here who i know you've bought from. It's great that people support the smaller brands and means we're obviously offering bats which rival other, more well established brands out there. Hopefully the review of your next one, which I'll have pressed, will be equally well received! 😁

If anyone's interested i switched to the Mirka Abranet sanding discs, but just didn't get on with them. Which is why I've got loads still in the cupboard 🤦‍♂️

Thanks @Jimbo too, appreciate the comment. Hopefully things will continue to evolve!

[ch1p]

I'd missed these... they look superb. I've long admired the willow produced in Yorkshire.

Might just be the pics @Chad but the 190 toe looks a lot more shaped (the proper term escapes me at the moment) but it looks a bit more angled. Any difference in the feel?