Print

[mlapse]

Thanks Chad for the quick response.

what do you mean "depends on the willow" - you mean the individual piece used to make my bat or the general grading - I bought a reserve so I guess its G1.

I'm hesitant to use the mallet too because I've read that it compresses the wood more and has the effect of pressing - I'm afraid it might make the bat even harder? If this isn't correct, please let me know why knocking in an already knocked in bat would improve the performance and sound?

Also, does the willow and bat really become softer and springier or is it just that one gets used to it? I've always used my bats for 5+ years (had just 3 in 30 years of playing) and once a bat is knocked it, it doesn't seem very different in year 1 vs. year 5.

[Chad]

Well, the individual piece of willow used to make your bat, as all clefts are different. I know it is a G1, but we all know that a G3 bat can play as well, if not better than a G1 bat. Thing is, knocking in the bat helps create a trampoline effect, so actually hardens the surface, but it gives off a nicer sound. My Laver sounds a lot nicer than it used to, and that's because I used it quite a bit and also have given it a few hours with the mallet. I still don't think it is at its best, as Laver bats are meant to take a full season to open up fully apparently.

I know that the C-Ten handle takes a little while to get used to, but after you get used to it, it feels fairly normal, just packs that little extra punch! It definitely does vibrate at the start, but I hardly feel it now, it is a really nice handle.

[tim2000s]

Lavers do take some time to open up, as anyone who has had one will attest. All the ones that I've had have also had a higher pitch than equivalent UK made bats, so it us definitely something in the pressing and if you have a C-Ten handle, this will also affect pitch due to creating a stiffer handle.

Having said that, they have all gone well,especially after playing in. I have to admit to not being entirely sure why. It may simply be that you get used to them!

[mlapse]

Thanks for your reply tim2000s. Your experience sounds a lot like mine.

This should be easy enough to test - If I take a mallet to the bat for 20 hours and then have my teammates play with it for a few days, and it still feels stiff and high pitched, then it's probably a question of getting used to it. If on the other hand, the feel is much better than it is today, then there might be something to the whole playing in and knocking in further bit.

I'll update the thread with results but in the meanwhile, I'd like to hear the opinion of other Laver owners too!

[Chad]

Thanks for your reply tim2000s. Your experience sounds a lot like mine.

This should be easy enough to test - If I take a mallet to the bat for 20 hours and then have my teammates play with it for a few days, and it still feels stiff and high pitched, then it's probably a question of getting used to it. If on the other hand, the feel is much better than it is today, then there might be something to the whole playing in and knocking in further bit.

I'll update the thread with results but in the meanwhile, I'd like to hear the opinion of other Laver owners too!

Don't waste 20 hours with the mallet! You don't need to spend that much time at all, I would say probably 3 hours, then just play with it in the nets all the time. Just play it in, mine certainly does sound much nicer than it used to.

[johnrockin]

The first net i had with my prepared laver was good, but not great. So, I gave it about 5hrs with the mallet. The second net (last week) was much better and I'm now looking forward to this weeks session.

I'm ok with the c-ten handle and it's just the difference in sound/response that will take sometime to get used to i.e. I'm finding it difficult to know how well I've hit the ball.

[shoab68]

Thanks for your reply tim2000s. Your experience sounds a lot like mine.

This should be easy enough to test - If I take a mallet to the bat for 20 hours and then have my teammates play with it for a few days, and it still feels stiff and high pitched, then it's probably a question of getting used to it. If on the other hand, the feel is much better than it is today, then there might be something to the whole playing in and knocking in further bit.

I'll update the thread with results but in the meanwhile, I'd like to hear the opinion of other Laver owners too!

Laver takes ages to open up, my signature was not opened up fully even after 6 or 7 net sessions, finally i gave up and it is now resting in my showcase !!!

[PaceKing29]

i recently purchased a L&W Ultra Reserve (fully prepared by them) & have to admit on my first use the bat was horrible! Apart from the middle where it went off like a rocket everywhere else on the bat felt dead/sort of hollow sound :S

Did speak to Andy though and he recommended some throwdowns then take it back into the nets, i'll give it some knocking in as well. Hoping that it does eventually open up though, would be a real shame if it didn't because the bat looks lovely

[Chad]

Laver takes ages to open up, my signature was not opened up fully even after 6 or 7 net sessions, finally i gave up and it is now resting in my showcase !!!

I think 6-7 net sessions isn't really enough for the bat to open up fully to be honest! You gotta give it a good few more, mine started feeling noticeably better after around the 5th session, and I feel is still getting better.

[Number4]

I believe it takes about half a season to really hit their peak

[mlapse]

johnrockin --> I felt the same - good but not great. Hopefully this changes.

PaceKing29 --> Was your Laver pre-knocked? I don't get why additional knocking is needed when its already pre-knocked and ready to play

Shoab68 and Chad --> I really am starting to believe that it's all about getting used to the bat and not really about opening up or knocking.

[Scruffy]

I have both a Signature and a Private Bin, for only 1 season so far. The Signature is taking its time to play in, Its feeling better and better every time I use It though. However, I haven't been using it as much as I would like because the Private Bin has been hard to put down! It has been a cracking bat right from the first net session.
I cant compare the 2 having never used a SC, but you definitely cant go wrong with a Laver.

[petehosk]

I purchased 2 or 3 a few years ago and they got better and better as time went by
Mine had carbo handles so at the time I found them harder to get used to!
But they are a bat for the patent player and will get better and better as you use one!

I would stick with it - they are superb quality!

[tim2000s]

Used my Heritage again last night after it came back home. Now it's had a bit of use, it definitely feels better than it did, however it was pretty good in the first place.

[Six Sixes Cricket]

Used my Heritage again last night after it came back home. Now it's had a bit of use, it definitely feels better than it did, however it was pretty good in the first place.

It should do now I've knocked the middle in for you