Cover Drive
Senior ODI Player
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2009
- Runs
- 23,230
Laver and Wood's bats were something I always wanted to buy and you can say I used to dream about Laver & Wood bats! It was my wish to own Laver & Wood seriously! I liked these bats soo much.
The Reserve is second best bat in Laver & Wood's range whereas the best one is 'Signature' but Reserve is the best selling Laver & Wood. Legend is basically a Grade 2/3 which came free along Reserve and it is a net bat. Both of the bats were fully knocked by Laver&Wood.
Legend
So I had asked Reserve to have mid placed sweet-spot whereas the weight to be around 2.7lbs with maximum thickness and regular handle while on the other hand for Legend I asked a higher middle and heavier in weight (2.10 lbs) with a carboncore handle and lamitoe.
I got these bats a while ago but I was unable to post a review earlier as I was busy and didn't get time to post one. So when I got the bats I right away used it against bowling machine (only Laver Legend) so the 'ping' was not great at that time which I believe was because the bat required more knocking BUT ones which I middled absolutely flew! Despite being fully knocked I still believe it requires 'playing in'. Since it was 2.10 the pickup was so light and the bat was well balanced that it felt more like 2.8ish. Apart from weight, feel etc what I really liked was the shape of handle, it is not a normal oval handle. The handle on Lavers is such that the bottom part which will come in your palm is "pointy'' [back fo the handle] which I believe it great because it gives your bottom hand better grip. When I used it I felt shocks which was due to the handle as I had asked for carboncore.
Since Legend was a net bat I didn't mind trying carboncore handle although I have never used it before but you always trying new things as life goes on so the handle is not that bad I would say. I'm thinking of double gripping it so I get a better feel (handle is feeling a bit thin at the moment) and less shock (assuming it gets absorbed by the grip).
The edges on Legend are close to 30mm which I believe is decent size, the cleft went through secondary drying process to achieve a bigger profile but since it is a net bat I'm not too fussed about the moisture level of the bat.
So overall Legend is a very good stick and the more I play with it better it is getting.
Again since it is grade 2/3 bat but one can see the love James have for batmaking and his dedication is brilliant! The craftsmanship of Legend and Reserve both is same and is exceptional!
Reserve
This bat is beautifully constructed and feels great in my hands, the feel of Reserve is one of the best I have ever had. After seeing these two Laver&Woods (in particularly Reserve) I have understood why James Laver is one of worlds finest batmaker. His dedication towards batmaking is an example and such dedication is what has brought him to this level. THere is no doubt that James must have made bats for great players because James himself is a great batmaker and more importantly a person.
So coming to Reserve, it is 2.7 and edges are close to 38mm which I believe is huge for 2.7. According to James and Andy, the cleft used in Reserve are low density.
I had few throwdowns with this Reserve and the bat seem to have very long sweetspot the when I middled it ball went flying past the bowler. It is going very well at the moment but I believe it just needs little bit of knocking and it will open up and murder bowlers.!
Service
Now regarding customer service of Laver & Wood where do I start from? Over the years I have dealt with many many people (both cricket and off cricket) and I have never seen anyone like to be as good as Andy and James. Both of them are really down to earth guys and there service was superb! Andy is very helpful in answering the questions and he answers in full detail giving insightful view and detail about the product and whatever you had asked.
Overall
Overall I am very happy with the bats. I'm pleased with both of the bats, I know they are not performing the best right now but which bat doesn't require playing in? All do so this bat is not different and it is just matter of time before these bats turn in a machine gun
The finishing on Laver & Wood is outstanding, if I compare it with Newbery and Salix who are reowned for world's finest finishing then I can say Laver & Wood be in between Salix and Newbery.
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask
Enjoy the pictures!
The Reserve is second best bat in Laver & Wood's range whereas the best one is 'Signature' but Reserve is the best selling Laver & Wood. Legend is basically a Grade 2/3 which came free along Reserve and it is a net bat. Both of the bats were fully knocked by Laver&Wood.
Legend
So I had asked Reserve to have mid placed sweet-spot whereas the weight to be around 2.7lbs with maximum thickness and regular handle while on the other hand for Legend I asked a higher middle and heavier in weight (2.10 lbs) with a carboncore handle and lamitoe.
I got these bats a while ago but I was unable to post a review earlier as I was busy and didn't get time to post one. So when I got the bats I right away used it against bowling machine (only Laver Legend) so the 'ping' was not great at that time which I believe was because the bat required more knocking BUT ones which I middled absolutely flew! Despite being fully knocked I still believe it requires 'playing in'. Since it was 2.10 the pickup was so light and the bat was well balanced that it felt more like 2.8ish. Apart from weight, feel etc what I really liked was the shape of handle, it is not a normal oval handle. The handle on Lavers is such that the bottom part which will come in your palm is "pointy'' [back fo the handle] which I believe it great because it gives your bottom hand better grip. When I used it I felt shocks which was due to the handle as I had asked for carboncore.
Since Legend was a net bat I didn't mind trying carboncore handle although I have never used it before but you always trying new things as life goes on so the handle is not that bad I would say. I'm thinking of double gripping it so I get a better feel (handle is feeling a bit thin at the moment) and less shock (assuming it gets absorbed by the grip).
The edges on Legend are close to 30mm which I believe is decent size, the cleft went through secondary drying process to achieve a bigger profile but since it is a net bat I'm not too fussed about the moisture level of the bat.
So overall Legend is a very good stick and the more I play with it better it is getting.
Again since it is grade 2/3 bat but one can see the love James have for batmaking and his dedication is brilliant! The craftsmanship of Legend and Reserve both is same and is exceptional!
Reserve
This bat is beautifully constructed and feels great in my hands, the feel of Reserve is one of the best I have ever had. After seeing these two Laver&Woods (in particularly Reserve) I have understood why James Laver is one of worlds finest batmaker. His dedication towards batmaking is an example and such dedication is what has brought him to this level. THere is no doubt that James must have made bats for great players because James himself is a great batmaker and more importantly a person.
So coming to Reserve, it is 2.7 and edges are close to 38mm which I believe is huge for 2.7. According to James and Andy, the cleft used in Reserve are low density.
I had few throwdowns with this Reserve and the bat seem to have very long sweetspot the when I middled it ball went flying past the bowler. It is going very well at the moment but I believe it just needs little bit of knocking and it will open up and murder bowlers.!
Service
Now regarding customer service of Laver & Wood where do I start from? Over the years I have dealt with many many people (both cricket and off cricket) and I have never seen anyone like to be as good as Andy and James. Both of them are really down to earth guys and there service was superb! Andy is very helpful in answering the questions and he answers in full detail giving insightful view and detail about the product and whatever you had asked.
Overall
Overall I am very happy with the bats. I'm pleased with both of the bats, I know they are not performing the best right now but which bat doesn't require playing in? All do so this bat is not different and it is just matter of time before these bats turn in a machine gun
The finishing on Laver & Wood is outstanding, if I compare it with Newbery and Salix who are reowned for world's finest finishing then I can say Laver & Wood be in between Salix and Newbery.
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask
Enjoy the pictures!
). I hope you score tons of runs with them.
. Got your eyes set on something better? a screaming cat maybe 
