I picked up a right-handed JPF Axe off Craigslist today.  Looks like it has 2-3 drills in it.  This ball is very interesting to me, given the history that I got off bowlingballvault on it.  Any idea what it's worth?

http://www.bowlingballvault.com/companies/13-jpf/563-the-axe


This company was started by John Fabinich. John originally had Faball which was a small company making rubber and plastic bowling balls in the 1970's in the state of Ohio. According to Jason Wonders at Visionary, his father James Wonders and Earl Windman (sp) offered to buy the struggling company with the stipulation John Fabinich wanted was that the company still be called Faball. It was agreed to. The two piece Hammer ball was designed by James Wonders and Earl Windman (sp). John went out on his own again and developed The Axe. One was black and the other was blue. As in the old days with Roto Grip and Star Trak (the Pro line only) The Axe came in left and right handed models. It is still discussed who had the first asymetrical ball. Most agree by the patent information, John Fabinich did although many companies used other weight-blocks other than the standard pancake from the 1950's-1980's.

These balls command a high price because of their rarity. At the time there were so many companies making good urethane. Columbia, Ebonite, Faball, AMF, and Track had the urethane market sewn up. Roto Star/Roto Grip was struggling and waiting to be absorbed by Columbia and then Storm, Inc. The new comers were Award Scores Unlimited, Original AZO, and Nu-line. They are now gone too. Star Trak was now Track, Inc. Manhattan Urethane had been absorbed by Ebonite. Infinity had only two balls and was gone along with JCP, Cal Tech, Master, EUI, and quite a few others that put out a urethane ball or two and then were gone. The task was getting to the PBA but the fees were expensive. Some companies putting out urethane were actually machine parts companies that built a ball or two to help demonstrate their other equipment they made. The Black Axe was considered the better ball out of the two.

Worth? Whatever somebody will pay you for it! My guess is not very much, cause not much demand and they're other choices on the market! Just my $.02, Bruce
P.S. If it was NIB and 15lb the price would be higher, but multiple drills don't help the price!

Knowing Russ, I'm sure the last sentence wasn't necessary but it does bring back memories of a better era of bowling. There were a lot of great bowlers out of Albany bowl. Todays bowling is throwing and and "yesterdays" bowling was making a good shot to be rewarded. How many "bowlers" today can hit dimes at 35-40 feet?
Moving on, I have a NIB EUI Tank sitting in my shop!!!!!!!!!! Conversation piece only!

A bunch of these ball new surfaced in the Cleveland Area a few years ago. I guess some guy found them in a basement. I think he was selling them for about $20. All 16lb.

  I still have mu EUI tank.  Any idea if they are really collectable ?  Single drill, great hitting power, 16lb.

  What would the brand new in box go for ?