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Hi All,

Wanted your opinions on the two bats. Which one should I go for? I don't have the luxury of picking up and testing the two. Having read the reviews on the site, both seem equally well liked. I have no idea how to distinguish between the two and pick one.

I am an opening bat, would like the pickup of my bat to be similar to the GM Icon but with a slightly more weighty feel to it and a slightly lower middle. Weight range approx. 2.9 or 2.10 would be ideal.

Thanks in advance for your opinions

[toenails97]

Can't go wrong with either mate! Both will be really good bats however if you've got scat money go for it mate

[Number4]

Maybe talk to both batmakers and see who can fulfil your needs best.. I have 3 Lavers and all are awesome and have used a couple of Scats and they are equally as awesome... You really can't go wrong with either.

I'm sure any sponsor on this forum could equally satisfy your needs.

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Thanks for your thoughts Number4. you are spot on - I have spoken to both Andy at L&W and JM at Scat. Either can easily meet my requirements - It seems to be a toss up between the Scat Series 1 and the L&W Reserve.

Number4 - Which L&W and which Scat do you have? Would you rate the L&W and Scat exactly the same when it comes to performance and pickup? Any pros and cons across the two? Which bat is your default go-to bat and why?

Price isn't as important a factor - I'm not a bat collector and need one good bat. So happy to spend extra if that's what it takes. There isn't that much difference in the price anyway - the L&W reserve is 600 AUD which is 50 AUD less than the Scat.

[Number4]

I have a Laver Reserve, a Special Reserve and a Laver Bradman (designed from one of Bradmans original bats which James had done a copy of previously and still has the copy) but in my weight range and size.

I don't own a Scat but I have tried a couple of Series 1 professionals.

My go to bat this season was the Laver Bradman, a truly beautiful bat.

I think it should come down to personal preference because they are both world class batmakers.

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Thanks Number4 - 2 more questions please

The L&W reserve has very thin shoulders correct? I believe this is to beef up the middle. However the Scat seems to have thicker shoulders and a equally big middle. Is my observation correct? If so, would the Scat then have better ping/performance over its entire length as compared to the L&W reserve?

How heavy is your L&W reserve? I'm looking at 2.9 / 2.10 - Is the pickup good for this weight i.e. evenly distributed balance and doesn't feel too toe heavy? Was the pickup and balance the exact same for the Scats or did you notice differences?

Seems like performance wise the two are very similar

[Jenko]

I have used/own two custom SCATS and also a L&W Reserve custom. All three done in traditional shapes and weigh 2'10.

Laver is my current match bat but I really don't think you can go wrong with either of them. Both will sort you out with something awesome.

[The_Bird]

Its like comparing Ronaldo and Messi, ive seen used 3 Lavers and have all been stunning bats, a few of the guys who have owned Scats on here rave about them so i doubt you can go wrong with either.

[Number4]

It depends which profile you want... I think what you are talking about is the Laver Special profile which does have willow removed from the top part of the blade to concentrate more wood in the hitting zone.... They also do a traditional profile which gives you more wood distributed over the entire blade... Like my Bradman and also like  Laver Heritage that Tim2000s had which was massive and I believe was a screamer of a bat.

My Bradman is 2lb9oz the Reserve is 2lb10oz (I think from memory) and both have excellent pick up although the Bradman is a little better... When I first received it I had to weigh it cause I thought they had sent something around 2lb6oz.

From memory the Scat picked up slightly heavier, but only slightly, but still very wll balanced.

I'm by know means an expert like some of the other guys on here.

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Thank you all for your feedback. I think I will go with the L&W for the following reasons:

1) Slightly better interaction on the phone - Andy has been great!
2) From the website it seems there are more customization options available to me with the L&W

Will post a review when I get the bat and have tested it a bit.

[johnrockin]

I've owned both a Scat Series 3 Professional and a Laver & Wood Reserve Special Profile.

In my experience the Scat delivery time (to the UK) was much quicker, about 2 weeks and the Laver was longer (over 10). Obviously this turn around can be estimated at the time of your purchase from either supplier.

I loved the Scat and used it 2 or 3 times a week for about 3 seasons, until it died during a net session this year. Great bat and I still cant bring myself to get rid of it.

Unfortunately, the Laver had storm damaged and cracked after a few nets and 1 game. Laver replaced it (free of change), but its replacement has gone back (again free of change), because I couldn't get on with it. So, thumbs up for Laver's commitment to customer service.

NOTE: The cracked Laver was dowel by a friend who continued to use it for about half a season. He must have scored over 500 runs with it and still talks about it now! He also didn't get on with its replacement.

I think both bats are great and either will do you well.

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Thanks for your reply johnrockin. Very insightful. I have a few quick questions about your reasons for returning the L&W and its general performance.

Why were you not able to get on with the latest L&W? Was it weight, pickup, performance? Will Laver be replacing the next one as well?

How do you compare the pickup and balance of the Scat to the L&W? The special profile L&W has thinner shoulders with a thicker middle? Did that make a big difference? I;m concerned that if I go with the special profile I might lose the wood higher up on the bat and a mistimed pull won't go anywhere! What do you think?

[Six Sixes Cricket]

Thanks for your reply johnrockin. Very insightful. I have a few quick questions about your reasons for returning the L&W and its general performance.

Why were you not able to get on with the latest L&W? Was it weight, pickup, performance? Will Laver be replacing the next one as well?

How do you compare the pickup and balance of the Scat to the L&W? The special profile L&W has thinner shoulders with a thicker middle? Did that make a big difference? I;m concerned that if I go with the special profile I might lose the wood higher up on the bat and a mistimed pull won't go anywhere! What do you think?

Where would you like a miss timed hit off the shoulder to go?

[Cover_Drive]

If you want feather light pickup then Laver&Wood would come closer as opposed to Screaming Cat. Former picks up lighter than latter, well for me it does.

[Kulli]

Given there's generally a lot of negative press on here for bats pressed in India, whats different with SC's, do they have a very high level of QC, does the Millichamp name sell the bats, or something else?