Bat Luster

[frikativ54]

Last night, the Mariners were having a 40% off sale on game used, so I bought the following Louisville Slugger bat of Eduardo Perez. My parents ate lunch with him at Benihana's in the mid-1990s when he was with the California Angels. He signed a notecard for me, and I still have it. So - the bat makes a welcome addition to my collection.

Which brings me to a question: the Perez bat, which is from 2006, has a visible luster. I don't have many bats, but the Bagwell 1998 bat I have doesn't show any luster at all. Here are pictures, so you can compare:



Perez Bat



Bagwell Bat

Is there any reason for the difference in luster?

Thanks!

[Birdbats]

The Perez could have a Smith finish; the Bagwell has a regular black finish. The Smith finish seals the wood grain and makes the bat much shinier.

[jetersbatboy]

I have noticed with the smith finish they sometimes crack i have a couple jeter bats that are cracking and flaking due to the finish.