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Author Topic: Thing  (Read 3557 times)

Strider

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Thing
« on: July 24, 2003, 10:47:55 AM »
Let me ask a stupid question.  The Thing is listed as a solid/pearl "blend".  The colors are listed as Roswell Red Solid/Extraterrestrial Teal Pearl.  If one ball has a lot of red, will it react more like a solid than a ball that is mostly blue, or is the pearlization evenly distributed evenly throughout?  If so, why not just say it's a pearl?

Is it something like the X Factor that has a lower amount of mica added?  Storm claimed that it was less "pearlish".  I know some people said that the Columbia's Wickeds that had large splotches of white (or red on the newer version) reacted differently than ones that were swirled more evenly.
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charlest

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Re: Thing
« Reply #1 on: July 25, 2003, 07:21:04 AM »
There are several balls out now that combine solid and pearl in the same coverstock. Some people say the Track Hex had that combo, but it was never specified in the specs (I think that was one of the last balls Phil designed for Track before he left.) The DT Element is also listed as being a solid/pearl, even though it comes dull.
Morich Hercules specifies that it is a solid/pearl combination.
And Guess What?
Hammer's new Turbo Diesel (A topic I meant to post earlier) also have pearlization in its cover, so that when it is polished, it will skid further. This is according to their own press release that I read in Bowling This Month.

I know it is easier for us to classify balls in our mind's eye if we can pigeon-hole them as "pearl", "solid", "particle" "resin", but these days that is not nearly as important as "what does this ball do for me on this oil pattern withthis drilling"? We need to focus on the ball not what it is made of or how it is made.

Pearls, be they resin or particle, no longer are designed to be polished to work properly; so many "pearls" come "dull" or "compounded" or "matte" finish, that we should not look at them as to whether they are pearls or any other classification. That's counterproductive. Learn the ball and worry more about the line and the execution. The best I can offer is "remember that it's the bowler, not the ball."
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Jeffrevs

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Re: Thing
« Reply #2 on: July 25, 2003, 07:34:07 AM »
quote:
We need to focus on the ball not what it is made of or how it is made.

OK, but isn't this all a part of the research phase of choosing a ball that is best for our game ??

quote:
we should not look at them as to whether they are pearls or any other classification. That's counterproductive. Learn the ball and worry more about the line and the execution. The best I can offer is "remember that it's the bowler, not the ball."


Once again...understood, but see above....a good bowler understands and/or researches what kind of ball works best for them, and a part of that is coverstock...yes ?

While your points are great and understood...I don't think Striders question is .....well, shall we say, "out of the question" !
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TECH SUPPORT

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Re: Thing
« Reply #3 on: July 25, 2003, 08:47:51 AM »
I see the point that you all are trying to make but what about what strider asked "will the reaction differ from ball to ball because of different amounts of pearl and solid in the swirls of the cover."I dont know myself this is something new to the industry that is now getting attention.
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charlest

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Re: Thing
« Reply #4 on: July 25, 2003, 01:53:51 PM »
Jeff, Confucius, & Strider,

The point I am trying to make is that the ball as whole is made up of the some of many parts. Focusing on one particular aspect is a self-defeating point of view. You must focus on the ball. One cannot tell a lot about the ball based on whether it's a resin pearl, a solid particle, a heavy load or a light load particle, a solid resin or a pearl particle. There are solid particle that skid and flip more than pearl resins; there are resin pearl that roll earlier and hook more than solid resins and the whole gamut in between.

It's not whether the ball is more solid than pearl, but what the RG and what the surface is & what the polish/finish is, and HOW THEY INTERACT to produce the ball's reaction. It's my point of view, and I believe it is VERY valid, that it doesn't make ANY difference what the percentage of pearl and the percentage of solid is in the cover. (With regard to the Thing I am sure the manufacturing process insures a reasonable percentage of each, whatever that might be.)

Does anyone here have some formula (with respect to the solid/pearl proportion)as to how a combo surface of solid and pearl reacts for them? for anyone? I doubt it. If they do, please tell me. The concept is too new, too recent. One must either rely on tests done by professionals, or here at BR.com or watching fellow local bowlers or trying it out oneself.

The Thing and the Morich Hercules are polished combos, the Thing being "Soaker" resin, the Hercules being particle resin. I imagine the Hercules handles more oil than the Thing, being particle, but I'd have to test them to be sure, as no one that I know of has compared them. These are only 2 examples.

Did you know the new Hammer oiler, the Turbo Diesel also has a portion of its cover being pearlized?  Hammer says it was intentional.


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Edited on 7/25/2003 2:09 PM
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Strider

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Re: Thing
« Reply #5 on: July 25, 2003, 03:37:02 PM »
I haven't even received the ball yet; I was just curious.  I bought the ball because I wanted to try a Dynothane, the Soaker coverstock is intriguing, and I thought the ball would fit into a hole in my arsenal.  I'm not going to talk myself into not liking it because it has too much or not enough pearlization based on a tech sheet.  It may be irrelevant, but I'd just like to know.  Like you said, it doesn't really matter, my job is to throw it on the right conditions to get the most out of the ball.  Like I said some people have noticed different reactions with different coverstock looks.  The Columbia Spirit is another example.
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charlest

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Re: Thing
« Reply #6 on: July 25, 2003, 03:47:28 PM »
quote:
I haven't even received the ball yet; I was just curious.  I bought the ball because I wanted to try a Dynothane, the Soaker coverstock is intriguing, and I thought the ball would fit into a hole in my arsenal.  I'm not going to talk myself into not liking it because it has too much or not enough pearlization based on a tech sheet.  It may be irrelevant, but I'd just like to know.  Like you said, it doesn't really matter, my job is to throw it on the right conditions to get the most out of the ball.  Like I said some people have noticed different reactions with different coverstock looks.  The Columbia Spirit is another example.
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Indeed! The Spirit "spooks" me; I have one undrilled and I wonder about it. Originally a few people thought it might have some "particle" in it. Now there seems that there are 2 version: the original and a made-up one.

I love the idea of mixing solid and pearl in a ball. In fact, both the Element and the Thing are combo balls. The Hercules is the one that really fascinates me.

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Strider

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Re: Thing
« Reply #7 on: July 25, 2003, 04:32:39 PM »
I didn't realize the Element also has pearl in the cover, but you're right.  I just looked at Dynothane's site again.  I don't remember seeing that before.  I figured the pearlization was the change made to the Thing to get the "stronger backends" mentioned on the site.  Maybe they just increased the amount of pearlization.

A friend has been doing really well with the Hercules.  Removed the high gloss finish by sanding to 600 and applied a small amount of polish to get more of a matte finish.  Very talented high rev lefty.  Makes everything look good, so it's hard to get a good read off of it.
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charlest

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Re: Thing
« Reply #8 on: July 25, 2003, 08:12:06 PM »
Strider, buddy,

These are all terrific balls; enjoy them.

I'd love to be able to get my hands on and use the Hercules in its polished state (as a particle pearl). Sigh ...
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Phillip Marlowe

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Re: Thing
« Reply #9 on: July 26, 2003, 02:26:41 PM »
Charlest, you need another bowling ball nearly as much as I do.  Of course, if you want to get rid of your Thing...

Strider, the Thing has more "pearl" in the coverstock than the Element -- it needed it to create length.  The ball needs the length because it is very even in nature.  The pearlization creates length and gives the ball additional backend.  The key here is marrying that particular core with a cover that is useful across a range of conditions and still has the soaker characteristics.  (A superior cover, by the way.)


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charlest

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Re: Thing
« Reply #10 on: July 26, 2003, 05:56:33 PM »
quote:
Charlest, you need another bowling ball nearly as much as I do.  Of course, if you want to get rid of your Thing...--------------------
"I'm just a hack, so no need pay attention."


Didn't say I needed it; said, I'd love one. There are lots of balls I'd love to try ....
Not finished with my "Thang" yet, thank you. I'll let you know when.
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Strider

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Re: Thing
« Reply #11 on: July 29, 2003, 08:17:35 AM »
Bump for New Guy.

Got mine yesterday.  About 2/3 red (solid) and 1/3 blue (pearl).  Just curious if the reaction would be any different compared to a mostly blue Thing.  Getting it drilled tomorrow.  Pattern #2, pin 4.25" from PAP, "mb" on PAL.
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charlest

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Re: Thing
« Reply #12 on: July 29, 2003, 08:46:52 AM »
If I had to put percentages on mine, I'd guess 60-65% red, 35-40% blue. All nicely polished.
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Strider

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Re: Thing
« Reply #13 on: July 29, 2003, 08:49:37 AM »
My friend's is more than half red also.  Maybe they're all that way.  The picture on the website is mostly blue.  Sometimes the promotional shots are not very representative.
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