Our high quality handles are produced using Manau cane harvested from the jungles of Sumatra along with Malaysian Sarawak cane. The 3 metre canes are initially boiled in oil and dried in the sun for several weeks before being graded according to size. They are then cut to the right length and split. Then the faces are planed to ensure a good gluing surface. The planed pieces of cane are then glued together with three cork / rubber laminations to assist with shock absorption.

Estimated cost of this service is NZD $90 + shipping.  Total cost will calculated before work starts.

At Laver & Wood we usually make our bats with an oval shape at the base of the handle. We use this shape as it provides more strength to the handle and helps to diffuse the shock waves created from the ball meeting the blade.

The oval shape in the lower handle also gives the bat a better directional feel. It is difficult to grip the bat too hard with the bottom hand. One only needs to hold the handle with one’s thumb and forefinger and this encourages the top hand to control the shot.

The oval shape improves the pickup due to having a larger mass nearer to your body. Most batsmen that use our oval handle will never revert back to a round one. The round handle is best suited to those who like to use their bottom hand to hit the ball hard and lift it.

The size of a batsman’s hands can alter the specification of the handle. This is changed by either applying extra rubber grips or, where a thinner handle is required, specifying that you have small hands when you place your order.

We can provide a standard round handle on request, but recommend the oval handle for anyone who wants to bat technically correctly.

This can be done if you send your bat back to us. Shipping is extra and can be quoted on request.

Laver & Wood can repair your badly damaged bat and return it to a playing state. Examples of repairs are damaged handle replacement, edge damage repair, shoulder repair, delamination repair and toe repair. Repairs can also take the form of refurbishment, this service gives your bat a good tidy up before, after or during the season.  Repair work is attended to and the whole bat can be done or just the playing surface to preserve the labels. A whole bat refurbish comes back clean with no labels unless it is a L&W bat.

The photos above show some of our repairs completed lately. We are happy to quote the cost of this work if you can send us a photo of the damage. While the bat is in the workshop it maybe a good time to refurbish tired hand grips or damaged labels. We happy to work with all brands of bats.

Refurbish Small – NZ$50
​Refurbish Full – NZ$90
Repair – NZ$25 – NZ$90 – We will Quote

Send your request through the Order this service link below.

Knocking in provides a hard protective surface to the blade and edges of the bat, and all bats need to be knocked in before use. Laver & Wood offer a knocking in service for our own bats and other brands bats.

Estimated cost of this service is NZD $80 + shipping.  Total cost will calculated before work starts.

There are different ways of preparing your bat for the knocking in process, but we recommend the following process as repeated trials in bat factories have shown us that this works far better than all other methods.

Raw linseed oil should be used to moisten the surface of the bat and enable the fibres to become supple. This helps them knit together, thus forming an elastic surface. This is more likely to stretch on impact, rather than crack. Raw linseed is used, as it stays moist for longer than boiled linseed. About a teaspoonful should be applied to the surface of the bat.

We recommend that oil should be applied once (3 times if not one of our bats) before the process of compressing the face begins. Each coat of oil should be about one teaspoon full. Spread the oil over the face of the bat using your fingers. Spread the leftover linseed oil over the edges and toe of the bat. Let each coat of oil soak in overnight and repeat the process before starting the knocking in with the mallet.

At L&W, we strongly recommend having your bat knocked in professionally when you purchase it. This helps get a better performance and also helps extend the life of the bat. It also relieves you and your family members of a time consuming, noisy and monotonous process.

Please Note: Damage can never be totally eliminated due to the hard nature of the ball and the speed of contact with the bat. A good bat correctly knocked in ideally would last about 1000 runs including net use.

We, at Laver & Wood, have pioneered the LAMITOE. This is inserted into the toe of the bat and helps prevents toe damage by strengthening the vulnerable toe area of your bat.

The Lamitoe addition technically turns the bat into a Grade B bat. This means that it would not be allowed to be used in First Class cricket.

Estimated cost of this service is NZD $40 + shipping.  Total cost will calculated before work starts.

If you have an old favourite that is past its prime, send it to us or the photos and specs and we can make a perfect replica.

Replication is Laver & Wood taking your favourite bat and copying its shape and design to create a new version. Modifications can be included in the process to make your profile fit changes in your game or physique. Before this process can be started we need to discuss your requirements careful.