Im still new to bowling ball brands. I looked up for blue dots from columbia or white dots from ebonite, are they under a different name. Couldnt find any balls associated with these.

Again thanks, the Lane #1 XXXL looks nice but is it a suitable spare ball?
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Leave no Pin behind...

Ebonite Overtime
45 year old Manhattan Rubber. (twice my age :-) )

yeah yeah, a spare ball is a spare ball.

The best spare ball is an Ebonite Zebra (of varying editions) drilled axis so that the strips run parallel with the rotation of the ball.  

I also have an Ebonite Eyeball, that is drilled axis so that the pupil of the eye ball is always facing the lane on its way to the 10 pin.  

Erin

Hmm, nice topic

here my 2 cents:
The current Blue Dot is a polyester as any other, hardness 78-80 on the D-scale. Same as White dots.

I heard from local high level players that, even though they are also 78-80 hardness rated, the Maxim balls have good grip and move more than any other polyester ball, especially when the back end is dry. I cannot prove it, but the sources are serious (this topic occurs anywhere, I assume).

The XXXL makes a nice dry lanes ball. If you want a hook in your spare ball, you might want to invest lots of money into this polyester ball with a true core, what makes the XXXL unique. The core makes the ball roll, and this is a  nice control option. On the other side, the ball will move in the backend, you must decide if this is desired.

Another good option are the Rio balls from Circle athletics. Rumors are that these are very hard, too, therefore going straight, but I haven't found a reliable source yet for their D-rating. If someone knows for sure, please let me know

And... the Lanemasters "Arrow" IS a hard ball. It is probably expensive, but has a D-rating of 84-86 if I remember right (something like the original Blue Dots, I think). This is, as far as I know, the hardest and "straightest" spare ball out there right now.

Hope this helps?
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DizzyFugu - Reporting from Germany
Team "X" website (now available in English!): http://homepage.mac.com/timlinked/
"All that we see or seem, is but a dream within a dream..." - Edgar Allen Poe

The best spare ball ever was from Ebonite. Unfortunately they don't make them anymore. You might get lucky and find one on EBAY, like I did. The ball, the Clear Wolf. Originally designed as a pro shop tool to sell the Wolf line, it is clear orange plastic with the Wolf weight block inside it. This is a great ball for spares that can also be used if the lanes get fried. With an actual weight block inside it carries better and hits harder then the other plastic balls. I've had mine for almost 7 years now and got a brand new one in my closet of EBAY for when this one cracks. My goal is to shoot 300 with it, I've had numerous 279's with it.
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Jorge300

"Stewardess, I speak Jive."
"Just lay'em down and smack'em yack'em"

im surprised no one has mentioned the hammer tuff. it is a nice, hard spare ball that goes straight.