I still throw my Blazing Violet 3D, and always carry my Black Hammer for spares. Also, I've been throwing the Nasty Nail Extreme lately. The Purple Pearl reactive Hammer was one of my favorites for a local center, but I don't use it much anymore. I may go ahead and purchase the Blade Pearl, just to give it a shot...I like control more than violent backend snap.

I am a second generation Hammerhead.  I am pretty sure that I spent more time with my Father in a bowling alley than in church when I was a kid.  My father always, and I mean always had at least two Hammers in his bag.  I drifted away from bowling until two years ago.  When I "got back to my roots" I threw a bunch of Columbia stuff.  (the pro-shop pushed it as "the balls to have") I always remembered by Dad's red urethane Hammer.  My first Hammer was the Spike.  I just loved the way it hit!  From that point on I was hooked.  Here is the current Hammer inventory (all in 15 lbs):

Spike
Purple Nail NIB
Nasty Nail NIB
Brugandy Hammer - I just love this ball
New Hammer Vicious
Fire Claw - for spares
4D HPT
New Blade Pearl - just kills the pins on burnt lanes
3D Off Set Blazing Violet NIB
3D Off Set Maxx Deep Indigo NIB
Truck NIB

I like to keep a few NIB Hammers for a rainy day!  I am a true Second Generation Hammerhead!  My average has jumped 40 pins from last season.  A lot of practice and a few new Hammers to the inventory.

I bought a Black Hammer back in the early 80's when they first came out. Great ball, had many honors score with that old battle-axe. Always had a soft spot for Hammer. Owned that black, a purple urethane hammer, and a Navy reactive, then quit bowling for 3-1/2 years. I'm carrying mostly Columbia stuff, but I still have some Hammer equip that gets regular use.

OLD STUFF worth keeping:

1. Razor (either Berry or Ice Blue). Mild resin shell and high RG "go-long" core. There's always a use for a ball like that.

2. Hard urethane - either Black Hammer, Pink Hammer, or original Nail. These are good for torched lanes and can serve as "spare ball". No sense carrying a useless plastic pancake ball when you can have a spare ball with "pop".

3. Anything else? The only "post 1996" Hammer stuff I've thrown was a JackHammer. Good ball that gets down the lane well, but mine tracked up pretty quick. I turned it into a "house ball" when I changed my grip.

New Stuff:
I have so much Columbia equipment that I don't really need to augment, BUT, I did just order a Diesel. I like the thought of that red & black particle Truck with the super low RG core. I couldn't pass up a ball like that. If it ever arrives I'll post a review.

Bottom Line: Although the majority of my equipment is C300, I'm a 20 year "Hammer Head", and will keep an open mind. If EboHammernite puts out some worthy 2-piece equipement, I will probably buy some.

There are still lots of people throwing hammers and once they get word of the new hammers there will be lots more.  Example I have a left hander on my team who just bought the diesel pearl particle.  He had it drilled up a little negative.  Pin under his middle finger.  That ball just hooked to much for him thursday night.  Had another team mate that shot 179 his first game.  His is a big storm and columbia freak.  We were giving him a hard time about trying out the left handers diesel.  He gave us this story about how hammer sucked and the last one that he had was the 3d series.  So he finally agreed to use it in the second game.  Before he threw his first ball his comment was "This ball scares me I'm afraid to throw hammer equipment again.  He threw his first ball and smashed the pocket.  In his first 5 shots he did not hit his mark once and before he knew it he had the first 5 strikes.  Then he settled down and started hitting his mark consistantly.  Final result 299!!!!!  Got the last one a little inside.  After that game his words.  I will be purchasing a Hammer again shortly....   Hammers are back better than ever.  I have not shot less than 675 with my diesel, blade pearl, vicious.  Also had my highest game and series with my 3d offset super hook.  796, 299.  LONG LIVE HAMMER!!!

Smooth and big hitting!

REgards,

Luckylefty

I kept and still used the 3D-Offset Tour Edition Black.  The smoothest, controllable, and hardest hitting ball I've ever used.  I wish I could get more of them.  I also us a Diesel Particle Pearl and don't have a complaint about that one.  Hard hitting, hooked and hit just as hard as an X-Factor with the same type of controlled snap in the backend.

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I know g_thing and he does have 13 Hammers in his arsenal. I can say one thing, he has improved his game greatly in the year or so that I have known him and the balls have certainly been an influence on all of that. Thinking back, I have NEVER seen him use anything but a Hammer ball. Also, his knowledge of the older Faball hammers is amazing.

He is a true "Hammerhead".

JK

IM selling some balls soon and I thought to take out the 3d offset blazing violet to try it once more.  Well I threw it last night and im keeping it.  One of the most awsome balls hammer made.  The lanes were medium oily and i had about 7 diffrent lines i was able to throw.  When i throw that ball it takes no effort to get it to the pocket.  It just feels so perfect to let that ball go and watch it shatter pins.  I think its gonna be my first ball next season to break out of the bag.  Im not even gonna buy a new ball
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What a tenpin??  Where's the messengers?