DV8 Reckless

Bowler Specs:

18-18.5mph

375-400revs

Axis Tilt: 11 degrees

Axis Rotation: ~40 degrees

 

Layout:

60* by 5.5” by 70*

 

Purpose:

When I saw this ball’s attributes, I knew I wanted to make it my new benchmark piece. The layout is one I’ve used for a while to tone down the backend and really promote a great read throughout the whole lane and I couldn’t think of a better layout to put on this ball for me. Since it’s a benchmark piece, I wanted it to be smooth and continuous with plenty of midlane read with a medium amount of overall hook.

 

On the lanes:

            39ft THS on Pro-Anvil:

            The Reckless really shined on this pattern to me. The overall smoothness paired really well with the wet/dry nature of this THS. Although the THS doesn’t have a lot of volume, I didn’t have to start out standing against the ball return, nor did I have to sacrifice ball reaction just to play further right and on top of the oil. The Reckless gave me a smooth reaction that I had hoped for with still a little bit of backend pop, not a lot of backend, but just the right amount for any benchmark ball. I could play with a laydown of about 25-26 and send it out to 8 with a smooth motion and let it come back with a nice even reaction. These are one of those balls that you can really trust the reaction with off your hand and you always know what the ball is going to do. A ball like that is priceless.

 

            Kegel’s Highway to Hell on HPL

            As much as I hate to say it, medium sport patterns are not my bread and butter. However, if I find that perfect matchup to play a swing shot or to pipe it up the gutter, I can score very well. The Reckless gave me both on the fresh pattern. I could take my hand more up the back of the ball and play right up the 2 board. The ball gave me a smooth and controllable reaction and never once jumped too hard off the corner. This line made the Reckless just slap pins silly. On the other hand I also had a great line on the fresh of about a laydown of 25 out to 10 at the breakpoint. Whereas other balls would give me an inconsistent reaction on this fresh sport pattern, the Reckless gave me a smooth and really predictable read that I could easily rely on until the pattern brokedown.

 

Overall comparisons, I put the Reckless about 5 boards less than the Hell Raiser, 4-5 more than the Misfit, and about 2-3 more than the Massive Damage. The Reckless is smoother off the spot than all of the aforementioned balls

 

Conclusion:

The level of versatility this ball offers is absolutely amazing. Anytime you can take the same ball and play up the 2 board and then move way in and hook it, you know you have a really special ball in your hands. I don’t think I could ask for a better ball to call my benchmark and to pull out of the bag first. Nothing could give me a better read of the lane and be as versatile as this ball is. This is a bold statement, but I’ll say it anyway…THIS IS THE BEST SYMMETRIC REACTIVE BALL I’VE EVER THROWN. I can’t imagine tournaments or even league without it. It’s a staple of my bag and I know it should be in yours too. If you get this ball, you won’t regret it.

 

 

 

I have used the Reckless on house and sport conditions and really like how smooth the ball rolls.  I have it drill with the pin under my ring finger and it allows me to stay closer to the track without over reacting downlane.  The 2nd game out of the box I shot a 300.  With the drilling that I used, it allows me to play deeper on the lane, but it still has the strength to turn the corner and carry 10 pins.  It reads the midlane a little sooner than the Misfit and is a little weaker overall than the Hell Raiser.  The Reckless is a good benchmark ball and can be used on medium or heavier oil conditions.  It works well playing a straighter line or when I need to open up the lane and go in deeper.  If the ball is too angular, then the suface can be adjusted to 1000 or 2000 Siaair to smooth out the reaction.

 

Brandon Hinderer