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Author Topic: Sapphire and Danger Zone  (Read 1536 times)

dougb

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Sapphire and Danger Zone
« on: July 18, 2010, 03:19:52 PM »
I just picked up a single drill Sapphire and Danger Zone.

Most of my stuff is drilled stacked or the cg is kicked out, which with my slow ball speed means I play an inside line. So I'm thinking I'm going to go rico on the DZ (my favorite layout) and pin-down label leverage layout on the Sapphire so I can play the outside line too.

I also have a Blue Rhino Pro (urethane) that I'm going to do a basic label layout on for dry lanes and short patterns. Should be a pretty sweet old school Big B arsenal when I'm done!

Anyway, my question is what's the difference between the Sapphire and the Danger Zone?  As much people seem to covet the DZ,I hear even better things about the Sapphire. I know the Sapphire has the PK17 cover (vs. PK18), but is there anything else I should know?  

Pics here:
http://i554.photobucket.com/albums/jj420/dougb510/Current%20arsenal/2010-07-14005254.jpg
http://i554.photobucket.com/albums/jj420/dougb510/Current%20arsenal/2010-07-13234327.jpg

 

completebowler

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Re: Sapphire and Danger Zone
« Reply #1 on: July 18, 2010, 11:55:35 PM »
The S. Zone is basically just smoother and weaker from my experiences. I would suggest leaving them both like they are drilled now. Pretty good layouts on them.

DZ should be fairly clean and very strong on the back. The S. Zone would be extremely smooth and controllable with the layout and I think will be an excellent piece on squirrely conditions and some sport shots.

Should be a wonderful matchup when the backends are flying.
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charlest

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Re: Sapphire and Danger Zone
« Reply #2 on: July 19, 2010, 09:16:29 AM »
I'd strongly suggest doing an oil extraction on both since you may or may not know how long each was used. Both are 10 - 15 years old.

In general, the Sapphire and the Danger Zones handled the same amount of oil. They just went about it different ways. Both balls were low-ish RGs and had medium-high to high flaring cores. PK18 on the DZ had more length and a hook and set type of reaction. The PK17 cover on the Sapphire Zone was more even and smoother throughout the skid/hook/roll cycle. Drillings and surface changes could change those basic reactions, as always.

Both came polished back then and that was used to handle medium-heavy oil. Today that polished surface would put them more in the medium-light to medium oil class, but some sanding from 600 to 2000 grit would make them handle medium to a lot more oil, depending on drilling AND the bowler's hand.

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"None are so blind as those who will not see."
"None are so blind as those who will not see."