Hey all,

This is my very first post of an Ebonite product. Usually, I use Columbia stuff or Track or AMF. Anyway, the ball is 15# with a 2-1/2" pin. It's set up label leverage, a very general drilling. I haven't used an Ebonite piece in 11 years, so from memory I was expecting an angular piece with decent hit,  but would leave a lot of 10 pins. What I got was something else. Bowling on synthetics, with light oil, about 40', I found this ball to be extremely consistent and controllable. It had a very late break, but it was extremely powerful on the backend. It really stored up energy. Still had the angular Ebonite attack, which gives you good angle entry to the pocket, though.

On the fresh shot, I wasted a game playing with different releases determining which ones would work. Shot 165. Once I felt confident with two releases that I could use, I went to work. 259 and 211 the next two games. Played down 10 and in for a couple of frames, but didn't like the pin reaction. Moved inside, standing on 25 and shooting 13 out to 7 or 8 and back....Wham!!! This ball loved to be swung. In the 259 game, I opened then picked up a difficult split but went the next 10 to the wall!!! This IS a great ball! Holds a line well, gives you good pin reaction whether swung or played tight. Needless to say I was impressed. May have to give Ebonite another look, especially if their other equipment is as good as this. Good job Ebonite.

The bottom line:  The Savage is a very good heavy oil ball.

I use the Savage mostly on my local house shot.  This particular house is widely regarded as the most heavily oiled house in the area.  Everyone from the strokers to the no-thumb crankers play outside 10 on the fresh there.  I've also watched the lane man bowl there.  Since he plays straight down the 5 board and rattles strike after strike, I've always thought that this line would be extremely effective there.  

My Savage is drilled with the pin over the ring, 12:00 from the CG.  This is approx. 4.5x4.5 from my PAP.  Cover is 1200 (stock) with a light polish using Finesse-it II.  The Savage plays the oil line extremely well.  It has a strong midlane roll, and it has excellent recovery if pushed right and it holds great if pulled left.  

I've tried to play this line there with many other balls (such as the Rock, V2 sanded, Matrix II, B/V Tornado, Blue Messenger, and many others), but the excellent midlane roll of the Savage gives me superior control and carry on this type of condition.  

I picked this ball up used from a guy I know.
--he had it drilled label, then plugged and redrilled stacked 3.75"

I plugged and redrilled using the same midline as he, placing this approx. 3.75-4" stacked from pap. Pin is directly next to the lower cut of the ring finger. 2.5" pin. Weight hole under pap.

Ive used this ball for alittle over a month now, so this is a tentative review.

The savage is weaker than advertised in my opinion.

What i see- On heavy oil it skids. It needs some dry to hook, and WILL NOT cut through heavier oil, or significant carrydown. I find it best suited for, what i consider medium oil conditions.

by condition breakdown (by volume, then length):

Heavy Volume
long-Will skid WAY too long.
medium- I feel the savage is not the ball of choice here. It skids --too far by design, for the oob surface to do anything major. It starts up too --late for anyone on this condition
short-Breakpoint is too strong for short oil.

Heavy/medium
Long-Still i think this will skid too far, unless there are bone dry backends.
Medium-The savage isn't the best ball here but it can handle this condition well --if played up the boards. Not gonna be a big hooker here.
SHort-Too flippy for this.

Medium
Long-Here i feel that with dry down lane, it still starts up a tad late, but the --ball recovers enough to make up for the skid.
Medium-Very nice, strong backend and perfect length for this. Here is where i --I feel this ball excels on fresh shots, or slight carrydown
Short-Once again too flippy

Medium and below
--Too little oil for the savage imo. ROLLOUT CITY

My thoughts (outta 10)
Lenght-6
Backend-8/9
Torque (flipiness)-8.5
Overal hook-7

Carrydown will make it so the savage never stands up

This is a great ball for fresher medium oil, but in my experience it cannot handle heavier oil. Keep it away from heavy and light oil. Medium oil/medium to a bit longer is where this ball shines.
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i just got this ball used, drilled up with pin below ring finger.... shot 749.. went long on medium oil wood lane shot... carried every pocket hit, but one ten pin, very satisfied... great ball!!!!!!!!!!!!!!