BallReviews

Equipment Boards => Brunswick => Topic started by: RSalas on August 08, 2004, 11:27:33 PM

Title: Benchmarks, and Why So Few Bruisers?
Post by: RSalas on August 08, 2004, 11:27:33 PM: Didn't want to hijack Mr. Hoppe's thread, so I decided to start my own...

In the post about Brunswick arsenals, I was rather surprised to see only one Monster Bruiser in the bunch. Surprised, because I was under the impression that the Bruiser was a great medium-condition ball, and as a "benchmark" piece for reading the condition.

So for all of you with Bruiser-less Big B arsenals, why don't you carry a Bruiser, and what do you use as your benchmark ball?
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Horrid in Doubles, torrid in Singles...
...that's The Curse of Dusty.
Title: Re: Benchmarks, and Why So Few Bruisers?
Post by: TheBowlingKid25 on August 09, 2004, 02:32:27 PM: Im not sure why people dont have them. I DO! I love my bruiser. It is my benchmark ball these days.
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16 years and still going strong! 16 years old that is! The names Warrior Princess, Xena..Warrior Princess
And why would I "saw" pins in half, THATS A WASTE OF PINS!
Title: Re: Benchmarks, and Why So Few Bruisers?
Post by: agroves on August 09, 2004, 02:33:17 PM: I had the Bruiser in my arsenal. I liked the ball very much. I put a 3 x 3 drill pattern on it. I tried it dull and shiny, both surface preps gave me a condition specific ball. It either rolled and carried well, or didn't. I picked it up used from another BR member. So, it had already been plugged once and I didn't feel like plugging it again. I would definitely be willing to drill another one. I think something like pin over bridge with cg kick about 1/2" right of center of grip.

Andrew
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FUFU
Wanna review my balls
Title: Re: Benchmarks, and Why So Few Bruisers?
Post by: RandyO on August 09, 2004, 03:37:46 PM: I have two. I rarely use them. In my home center, the Fire Quantum is a better choice. When I go to tournaments, I usually take the Fire Quantum and the Fuze Eliminator. The Bruiser fits in between those two, and it would just be overkill. If my home center was to put out just a slightly heavier volume, I could easily see replacing the FQ with the Bruiser. I've contemplated just taking the Bruiser and leaving the FQ & Fuze home, but I'm not quite ready to make that move yet.
Title: Re: Benchmarks, and Why So Few Bruisers?
Post by: charlest on August 09, 2004, 04:06:39 PM: The Bruiser is an ideal type of benchmark ball.

Problem is someone is always looking to make a ball react in a specific manner, not a generic manner. They try exotic drillings like pin over the bridge (this is not an especially low RG ball for this to be necessary), or they try exotic surfaces like 400 dull or they leave the stock high gloss polish which makes it very specific to lighter oil.

Try a 600 grit sanding with light polish with a 4x4 or a 4x5 drilling, pin at or under the ring finger and this ball will cover a huge area of the medium condition.

The other problem is everyone wants or sees an 8 ball arsenal as an essential for everyday leagues. Feh!

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"We get old too fast, and too late, smart."
Title: Re: Benchmarks, and Why So Few Bruisers?
Post by: DP3 on August 09, 2004, 08:21:20 PM: Hey Rich, will the Time Zone be staying around for this upcoming season?
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-DJ Marshall
You're not Bowling if you're not using "B"runswick
Scratchbowling.com
Title: Re: Benchmarks, and Why So Few Bruisers?
Post by: UCFKnight300 on August 09, 2004, 09:08:36 PM: Inferno is my benchmark ball, but soon hopefully the classic will take it's place.

Mike
UCF
Title: Re: Benchmarks, and Why So Few Bruisers?
Post by: DON DRAPER on August 10, 2004, 12:39:30 AM: the inferno was my benchmark ball for most of last year. if it wasn't enough ball i went to the swamp monster( later the raging inferno ). if it was too much ball i went to the monster slayR. i found that the inferno gave me the best read of almost any lane condition i saw.
Title: Re: Benchmarks, and Why So Few Bruisers?
Post by: charlest on August 10, 2004, 01:30:21 AM: quote:
The Inferno is my benchmark ball.
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Formerly JuniorPro, Lefty Hack

Due to the skip/flip nature and the super low RG nature of the original Inferno, it can ONLY be a benchmark to a super fluffer. Sorry, but "That's a fact, Jack!"
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"We get old too fast, and too late, smart."
Title: Re: Benchmarks, and Why So Few Bruisers?
Post by: charlest on August 10, 2004, 01:33:26 AM: edited

Edited on 8/10/2004 6:28 PM
Title: Re: Benchmarks, and Why So Few Bruisers?
Post by: TWOHAND834 on August 10, 2004, 01:35:10 AM: In my opinion, the Inferno is more a benchmark ball than the Bruiser. Reason is that though the Inferno is stronger overall, the roll and reaction is smoother. I threw a couple different Bruisers, and for me, they were touchy. Compared to the Bruiser, the Inferno is more predictable shot after shot. I also believe that a ball should cover a wide variety of lane conditions to be a "benchmark", and for me, the Inferno does that more so than the Bruiser. It will be a sad day when the Inferno goes discontinued.
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If anyone out there is worried about the scores being too high, try duckpin!!
Title: Re: Benchmarks, and Why So Few Bruisers?
Post by: DON DRAPER on August 10, 2004, 07:39:43 AM: charlest, for your information the majority of the time my inferno was wetsanded 2,000 grit with no polish. not everyone of my bowling balls is wetsanded 2,000 grit and highly polished. my ultimate inferno is wetsanded 1,000 grit. my raging inferno is done with a maroon scotch-brite pad. when i had a swamp monster it was never polished. if i didn't know better i'd say there's something about this that bothers you----sorry if any of my posts offended you. i don't see how.
Title: Re: Benchmarks, and Why So Few Bruisers?
Post by: RSalas on August 10, 2004, 02:34:13 PM: quote:
Curse-do you own a lot of Brunswick equipment?

Yes, I do...more than you could possibly imagine.
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Horrid in Doubles, torrid in Singles...
...that's The Curse of Dusty.
Title: Re: Benchmarks, and Why So Few Bruisers?
Post by: lion95 on August 11, 2004, 09:17:00 AM: Personally, My Benchmark ball is the Smash/R. We all can put our own labels own the word Benchmark. I consider a Benchmark to be a versitle ball, such as the Smash/R, a ball that you can play up the boards with and depending on the lane conditions you can swing the ball as well. I once owned a Bruiser and it was a great ball, but I wouldn't consider it a Benchmark ball, based on the fact it is a controlled reactive ball.
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"How do I roll a strike?"
Title: Re: Benchmarks, and Why So Few Bruisers?
Post by: LuckyLefty on August 11, 2004, 11:00:07 AM: Just as a note. Brunswick lefty is on the cranker side of the lefty equation.

Just about 400 revs.

Strong thrower!

REgards,

Luckylefty
Title: Re: Benchmarks, and Why So Few Bruisers?
Post by: DON DRAPER on August 11, 2004, 05:38:29 PM: bob, that's exactly how i feel about the inferno. if i could only take one ball with me this would be it. it'll play up the boards or the big hook---very versatile. the bruiser kind of got lost in the shuffle for me. it's probably a very good piece of equipment---it's just that i didn't need it in my arsenal.
Title: Re: Benchmarks, and Why So Few Bruisers?
Post by: DON DRAPER on August 12, 2004, 08:49:25 PM: the original inferno is also the oldest ball in my bag. i used it yet again today. practiced at my house with "leftovers" from wednesday on the lanes. 17&18 were slick with open play plastic ball carrydown----no problem, medium speed straight down the 1st arrow. moved to 7&8, a LOT drier. no problem, move way left, swing the ball from 20 to 8. great roll and hit from both angles. most versatile ball i've ever thrown. would love to see this ball made forever so i could test the lanes everytime i bowl.