Laver and Wood Bat Owners, pls check in

I play club cricket in the Des Moines area (USA).  I'm a HUGE fan of L&W.  I have three L&W bats. 

1) Which L&W bat do you own?
-2 so far with one on the way.  My first one was a Private Bin- SH , 1/2 inch LB 2'14...a brute of a bat.  About 10 grains and a work of art.  I got this one in 2002.  Played like a dream until I had toe damage due to playing whilst the pitch was wet.  It has since been repaired for free by James and his crew (Their customer service is peerless.)
- My second bat was in 2003 _ Yes, I'm a bat freak! - It was a Heritage exact specs except it was 2'12 - shaped by Marty Graham...simply put yet another work of art.  Unfortunately my basement flooded and the bat (not to mention other electronic items were ruined) - irony!
-I have just placed another order for a PB..to be shaped like the GN-FUSION..higher sweet spot (swell) with the Carbo Handle ..no more than 2'13..can't wait to see this one
(I also own a Bradbury Sovereign (circa 2000)...a masterpiece which I just sent to L&W for some cleanup work to be done along with refitting it with a carbo handle)

2) Did you get the carbo handle or the oval? Why did you pick one over the other?  Any comments/opinions/experiences from those who have played extensively with both would be appreciated. Pros? Cons?
- Got the carbo handle this time around...I always prefer the oval handle.

3) What specs are your bats?  I was thinking Short Handle and 1/2" longer blade.  Anyone else have this?  If so how did you like it compared to a SH and a standard blade?  Pros? Cons?
- I'm 6'0 tall and have lower back problems.  I had changed my stance to one with a backlift (a la Gooch).  James suggested a SH, 1/2 inch Long Blade..and it worked to perfection.  All you have to do is talk to Megan, Marty or James and they will school you in the intricacies of cricket bats.

4) What profile did you get? Why? I am getting the special profile that they have, combo of bowed and classic.
- I prefer to stick with Private Bin..a bit pricey, sure, but amazing bats (not to mention that the other profiles are superb as well...just a personal preference)

5) Did you use the knockin service that L&W provides? If so, then do you think it's worth that extra $50 (AUD)?  Impressions?
-I always use their knocking service...well worth it and the bats play like a dream!

Oh! almost forgot to mention, four of my buddies have also ordered L&W bats -2 Heritage and 2 PB's..Our club (www.knightscricket.org --site's down on account of redesign) is slowly but surely going L&W!

- Happy Batting!!!



Edited by googly69 - 30 November 2006 at 4:45pm

not a problem..will do so once I receive it..
The GN Fusion has 34mm edges!..James told me..that its possible on the GN on account of the All carbon handle...the weight is then added to the blade.  I told him that I'm not looking for those montstrous edges, rather, the shape (mid to high swell) and a light pickup (despite the 2'13 weight).  I did ask him to go with the carbo cane concept that they do down there.

If you are looking at an off the shelf bat: I strongly suggest the Malik Sher Amin..at 2'14 it felt like 2'8...amazing pickup and excellent grade willow.  I had to buy that to tide me over until I ssaved the $$ for the custom L&W.  I still use the Sher Amin..

by the way: What's this about Fusion Sports I hear about a lot? Their bats that good?


Edited by googly69 - 30 November 2006 at 7:54pm

Originally posted by googly69 by the way: What's this about Fusion Sports I hear about a lot? Their bats that good?

I like their bats, I have two; a G4 Custom Made and a Test Grade which was also custom made

Personally I love the service I get(inc the ability to ring up and chat cricket) and also the ability to try the bat before I hand £180 over.

Don't get me wrong there are loads of good batmakers out there but in terms of my choice I like Fusion, their shape suits me.  Its the same as Henjam, he gets good service and nice bats from Laver so he sticks with them. When I get a good bat I like to stick with them unless I use another bat which is better


Edited by tevans - 30 November 2006 at 10:40pm

henjam, will u post some pics of your new L&w when you get it?

googly69 - Did you come to Kansas City to play the 20-20 tournament this year?  If so then we played against each other, I open for UMKC Mystics, don't know if you remember or not though.  I was the one with the Woodworm bat (well L&W with stickers), first time playing it for me.  And after playing a couple of matches with it, I love it already.

As you I am a bat freak as well, I have 6 bats, out of which 2 (BAS/Vampire) of them are made by Mengha Ram himself in Jalandhar.  I love those bats.  I will post some pics in a week or so of all of them together and post them up.  Over time i have collected some personal bats of INTL cricketers (mostly India/Pakistan/ a couple of New Zealand Players) but they are back home in Dubai.

Anyway just wanted to see if you came to KC to play, we were thinking about setting up a lil 3 match tournament with the Knights, but it never worked out I think and now the weather has gone done the gutter :(.

Maybe Next Season :)




Edited by Hades - 04 December 2006 at 2:58am

Hardly a drubbing .  We lost by 13 or 15 runs if memory serves me right. We have a 17-0 record against KCCC, I think they finally gave up

Edited by Hades - 04 December 2006 at 6:16pm

1)What bat do you own? Carbo

2) Did you get the carbo handle or the oval? My bat came with the carbo built in, so I didn't get a choice but I think its brilliant.

3) What specs are your bats? My bat it is a short handle full size.

4) What profile did you get? Why? I got the bowed style, because I think it suits my style of play better than the others.

5) Did you use the knockin service that L&W provides? No, I just did it myself.

Ouch! Well, first and foremost they are custom made bats, so going through James Laver himself would be a much better option, and if the bats at stores aren't too your liking, order something different from the internet.