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[iand123]

Is there anything that can be done to stop the extra moisture being gained? Or is it just one of those things you have to accept?

[Blaise]

If I was knocking down the amount of bats I have - I'd definitely include the Laver in there. I have a Signature in 2.8 and a (Reserve grade) replica of my match SS Gladiator which hits 2.14 (and has stayed at that weight. Both my Lavers have three grips on them).

I love the bats and they are definitely up there in terms of as good as the best of the bats that I have. The finish is great and the bat is good to go straight away (knocked) but gets better with use, so you'll need to spend a bit of time with it before it performs at its best. Interestingly I rate my Scat just above the Lavers, but definitely love the SS replica bat.

[BigBlueMachine]

Love, love, love mine.
Interestingly I got it knocked in by laver and used it straight out the box. In my second innings with the bat I hit 117* and 9th innings 157. That was 2011, and now in the last 2 weekends I've just hit back to back 50's. Make of that what you will.

[Six Sixes Cricket]

Is there anything that can be done to stop the extra moisture being gained? Or is it just one of those things you have to accept?

think it's just the climate issue. I sent my bat back last year for a refurb and it came back an ounce lighter. I Will have to weigh it again to see if there is any gain.

[Chad]

In my opinion, no one from experience balances a bat better. Response wise, my Reserves have been superb. A major downside is the weight issue, yes, it isn't their fault that the climate there is different than here, but they should warn all potential buyers in countries abroad about weight gain, and what they recommend as a mitigation factor. (ie. make it 2 ounces lighter) I've recently bought a Signature, which was a hefty 3 ounces heavier than requested from the original owner!

I would recommend you go for a Reserve, have found that the Special Reserves just aren't as good in terms of performance. I don't know why, but having had 3 pass through my hands, I'd say that a PB and above is the way to go. With a collection of your quality and calibre, a SR would just seem out of place!

[spoonbed]

Prob' a stupid theory, but if the bats gain a couple of ounces over here after a while,could you not just de -humidify them back to their original shipped weight?

[InternalTraining]

Afternoon all.

I'm in the process of finally deciding on getting a laver & Wood having admired them for a while. I usually use around 2.9 in weight so I have asked for 2.7 - 2.8 max fully dressed weight as I know these can put on weight in the UK.

That's good thinking.

My first bat gained 2 ounces. Team L&W were very good about helping resolve the issue. My subsequent bats did not gain any weight except for annually scheduled oiling. My last bat was spec'ed at 3-0 lbs and arrived at 3-0.3 and is a trampoline! I recommend that you discuss the weight concern with James & co. when ordering the bat. 

But from those that have them and have used them how do they rate?

Here are my thoughts:

- Finish - best I have seen on my custom bats.
- Feel/Balance - Superb! This is a shared opinion by those in my team/club who have picked up and played with my Lavers. Personally, I love the sound, rebound and balance.
- Press - Lavers do take some time to open up but that has not always been the case with mine. Some of mine opened up very early and 1 (or 2) took a while. I bought a "Special Reserve" for indoor nets and I graduated it to a match bat "status" after a season. It makes a high-pitched sound when struck.
My "heavy" started blasting balls to the boundary very early on in its career.
- Handle - I opted for oval shape and they are thin. I have tried the Carbo Cane as well as C-10 (carbon bee-hive insert). I found C-10 to be slight thicker than the Carbo Cane. In terms of performance (rebound), both have been great. Again, you can specify the circumference of your handle to the L&W team.

Let me know if you have any questions.

[SOULMAN1012]

Thanks to all of you, this has helped me as I will need to ask for a thick oval handle then as a few have said they have skinny handles??

Also seems like a good idea to ask for it to come knocked in as well espically if takes a while to open up.

[e4sby]

Thanks to all of you, this has helped me as I will need to ask for a thick oval handle then as a few have said they have skinny handles??

Also seems like a good idea to ask for it to come knocked in as well espically if takes a while to open up.

Instead of asking for a thick oval handle why don't you measure the circumference of your favourite bat handle and ask them to replicate this?

[SOULMAN1012]

Instead of asking for a thick oval handle why don't you measure the circumference of your favourite bat handle and ask them to replicate this?

Smart thinking mate, I certainly will send them that info,

[Number4]

I've got 2 and my son has 1 and all 3 are superb. The first 2 we got were a Reserve at 2lb9oz ( my son) and a special reserve 3lb2oz (mine). Both of these are absolute guns, the finish on both was superb and I still have no idea why my special wasn't graded as Reserve as the grains are pretty gun straight. My 2nd one is my Bradman Laver at 2lb9oz and this is bloody awesome and just seems to keep getting better. Even the handle was shaped to copy one of Bradman's bats so a custom handle is certainly not out of the question. All 3 turned up with weight as requested, but I am in Aus. I knocked them in myself and didn't use them till I could see small cracks following the grains, what I call the grains opening up (others don't agree)

I may have to buy 2 more as I loved the profile of the Heritage Tim had and I also like the profile of the one Chad has/had?

[tim2000s]

Can't say I've had a bad one, more that I've had other bats that I've preferred. The ultra I picked up for a bargain price proved to be very popular in my LMS team. I always think I should go back to them, but have ended up staying in the UK to spend my cash.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[procricket]

That bradman laver needs a new home.

I have had about 7 lavers and one my private bin from a few years ago well that's a thing dreams are made of.

I think there brilliantly finished well pressed cricket bats and by and large as good as anything out there I had some of my best times with the carbo-core handle.

I still keep my one in my bag even though it passed it sell by date now great brand and great tradition.

Always promised myslef a signature at some stage only model I have not had.

[Shortpitch]

I do highly recommend them as I have been using Laver reserve and special reserve for 4 years now. I reside in U.S and I did see coupe of ounces increase in my "reserve" weight and special reserve didn't gain any weight.
I had my reserve done at 2' 10 and now its weight is close to 2' 12 and my special reserve was 2'9 when delivered and weighed it yesterday, its 2'9 bang on. but Overall great quality bats and amazing customer service. I had my special reserve replaced for no cost of mine when it cracked through the shoulder after 2 months of purchase.

[ursmasti]

I am a big fan of LW bats i have around 10+ bats just made by LW which includes 4 Sig and 6 Reserves ,never been disappointed and yes the weight gain is an issue for me also. Customer service is really exceptional. Bat quality , finish are always up there .