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Author Topic: Black Widow  (Read 46101 times)

admin

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Black Widow
« on: December 31, 1969, 06:00:00 PM »
Featuring the High Mass Bias Gas Mask core with flip block and Violent Reactive coverstock, the Black Widow goes long and attacks violently on the backend. There''s no lane condition out there that''s safe.




16# 15# 14# 13# 12#
RG DIFF RG DIFF RG DIFF RG DIFF RG DIFF
2.51 .049 2.50 .060 2.49 .057 2.53 .055 2.60 .039


 

anotherwindup

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Re: Black Widow
« Reply #16 on: September 22, 2006, 11:55:46 AM »
INCREDIBLE!!  

Wow, what more can be said about this ball.......

I have now drilled 3 of these.  
I have drilled that many because I had not experienced the "Black Widow" reaction quite yet.    That is, until last night.    

1st widow-   5.5" pin to PAP, 45* layout, with axis hole on MY axis.  HMB is 2.5" right of Thumb.  This ball flared SO much that is crossed over my axis point, and hole.   I shined the ball and it did the same.   Conclusion:  This 45* layout was WAY TOO strong for me.    

2nd widow-  5.5" pin to PAP, 90* layout, no hole. HMB is just left of thumb.   TURD.  Ball flared little and read the mids early, with no backend snap.  

3rd Widow-  5.5" pin to PAP, 60* layout, no Hole, HMB 1" Right of thumb hole.  
WOW!! This ball is unlike any ball I have EVER thrown in my over 20+ years of bowling experience.   This ball is SO clean through the front, and just explodes on the back.   I was playing 15 to 3 on a house pattern that I was throwing a VIBE on the week previous.   The ball just doesn't read the front part of the lane, and stores all of the energy for the "move".    I had 6 lanes of league stopping to watch my every shot.  

This ball is flat incredible.  I had a former Nat'l touring Ebonite staffer tell me that he wished that ball was in the E line, because they just don't have a ball motion like that.   He compared it to a V2 Sanded on STEROIDS.  

THANKS BG!!
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Sir Hooks Alot 86

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Re: Black Widow
« Reply #17 on: September 22, 2006, 04:21:20 PM »
This ball is simply amazing. I am a fairly high rev rate player with ball speed between 16.5-18 depending on conditions. I actually had to polish this ball just to get a little more length. I have never seen a ball hook this much and be as consistent out of the box.

pin - 2.75 in
right handed layout - pin below middle finger with cg just right of center grip. hmb is between 45 and 75 degrees.

Ball has amazingly smooth and consistent backend. I bowl on a shorter house pattern so i had to polish the ball up with ultimate black magic particle and resin ball polish. Even though it shines like a new penny ball is still even arcing rather than skid snap. Gets down lane and once it sarts up it doesn't stop.
Simply amazing!

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loose5682

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Re: Black Widow
« Reply #18 on: September 27, 2006, 04:06:55 PM »
-Black Widow #1-

Drilled pin under ring, MB right of thumb (pretty much a 4 1/2 x 4 1/2, pin about 2" above midline) no weighthole, dropped the cover to 1000 grit before drilling

----------------
------o-o-------
--------p-------
----------------
---------c------
----------------
----------------
-------O--------
----------------
----------m-----
----------------

This is essentially a strong benchmark-type reaction for me, this ball does get through the heads rather well, it's not ultra-clean through the fronts like a polished ball/pearl, but it doesn't exactly hook at your toes either.  The pin down/1000 grit surface helps the ball check in the mids real nicely, and the strong-ish MB position helps the ball finish nicely through the backend, not exactly a flip, but definitely a hard arc.  This ball is good on the fresh, but when the heads start to go, that leads to...

-Black Widow #2-

Drilled pin over and right of ring, MB right of thumb (possibly close to a 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 also, but with the pin about 3" above midline), small deep weighthole on midline 4.5" from center of grip, OOB surface

---------p------
------o-o-------
----------------
----------------
----------c----x
----------------
----------------
-------O--------
----------------
----------m-----
----------------

This ball offers a seemless transition from the first Black Widow, this second one is longer (due to the higher placement of the pin from my midline and the 4000 grit OOB finish) and a little flippier on the backend (due to again the higher pin placement, the surface, and the weighthole), but since it is a solid reactive, there are no signs of squirt when used on the right condition (obviously NOT heavier oil). The pop at the backend definitely helps me stay inside and make the corner when my pin down 1000 grit Widow burns too early.

As i've said above, this is a SEEMLESS transition from Black Widow #1 to Black Widow #2, I have more room right on medium conditions with Black Widow #2, but Black Widow #1 is better on heavier conditions.  I can see drilling up two more of these if needed, one stronger with the pin closer to PAP and MB closer to VAL to get a rollier, earlier move with less on the backend, and one weaker with the pin above bridge, MB swung, and polished.
Just because you can, doesn't mean you should

NotgNivoc

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Re: Black Widow
« Reply #19 on: October 02, 2006, 05:38:33 PM »
As I'm sure you know by now (thanks to the people before me with their excellent commentary), this ball IS the best ball ball out their mainly due to it's versatillity.  With the right combination of pin placement and coverstock options, this ball is perfect for any condition ranging from Broken down Light oil to Medium-Heavy oil.

As far as what I've had done with mine... I have it turning early, turning weak, OOB coverstock.  I have found that I was able to play(on THP) the track/outside track area(11-6 board) with ease. I'm a low track cranker with a very smooth stroke.

To give you an idea of exactly how much the ball has helped me though, I've went from a struggling 200 average, to a solid 220.

ssh2

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Re: Black Widow
« Reply #20 on: October 05, 2006, 11:21:49 AM »
Drilled one of these after a good friend of mine bugged me for the last month or so on doing so. After fixing some glitches in my swing last weekend I threw the BW for the first time last night. 290 out of the gate with it. Ball had great recovery to the right and as I moved my breakpoint in throughout the night, it really impressed me the way that it was reading the mids.

Pin is above my ring finger, CG kicked 2 inches from the center of grip, MB is just under 2 inches from my thumb and then 5 minutes in the luster king, x-hole is 5 inches over on my PAP. It really didn't matter how I threw it as I knew it was going to hit the pocket and then it was up to the pins from there. Out of 3 games, missed the pocket 1 time and that was the 4 pin the first game although it should've tripped the 4. The rest of the night was just 10 pin's. I missed the transition second game and shot at 10 pins for 6 frames. The last game was nothing but splitting the 8-9 with the ball for 9 shots and then a nice 10 stopped a nice series.

All and all it's a good ball. Compared to my One, it's 5 boards weaker and doesn't fire up as quick in the mids. The One is drilled simular but the x-hole on the one is higher due to a short pin and where we put the CG on it.

conspirator300

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Re: Black Widow
« Reply #21 on: October 14, 2006, 02:15:08 AM »
Ok.. haven't done one of these in a while.. so..

Right Handed
250-400 RPMs
PAP-4 3/4" over and 1/2" up.
Speed-Average about 17.5 on a normal day.

Drilled 5" x 5" (not exact). Pin above bridge and mb kiced exactly 1 1/2" right from center of thumb hole.

Pic if your interested: http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=3296847

THS:

This ball definitely does what it was said to do. It backends. With the higer pin and longer pin distance the ball really gets down the lane. I was skeptical at first since I didn't believe a reactive solid would go that long.. but it really does. For me the ball revs up very nice in the midlane (Hard to see that though.. needed a piece of tape to really see), and then when it hits the backend it flies left and hits/carries very well.

In a little more oil the ball will smoothen out and work nicely. I thought at first the ball wouls skid on heavier oil, but with the helo of the midlane roll it still can be used in a good amount of oil.

On carrydown it acts like there is none. It bits through the backend unbelieveably.. even better than alot of particle balls I have thrown!

Sport Shot:

Medium Length JOG shot.. somewhat different but close

When throwing down the OOB.. as said before with all the oil it becomes really smooth. When playing inside it ended up hooking a little early as they broke down.. even moving left didn't help. I had to move right and feed it to the oil a little bit to get the ball to work.. so probably not the best ball to throw in the drier part of the SS.

Overall:

This ball is all it is meant to be. It revs up a good amount while saving all that energy to the backend.. it's the kind of ball I have been looking for. The ball hit's very well.. and like Hammer is saying with the NO Mercy.. The Widow should also be layed out with a simple layout unless your looking for an exact reaction. I was told my Doug Kent at a Ball Expo in Allentown, PA that anyone should put at least a 5" pin and a MB placement around the thumb. Anything drilled strong sucked since that wasn't what that ball was meant for!

Good luck guys.. I definitly think this is going to be a good contender for Ball of the Year!

-Chris

p.s. I hope this is better than the one above.. I couldn't let that be the only one here, lol.
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pgpelton

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Re: Black Widow
« Reply #22 on: October 30, 2006, 10:55:55 AM »
BALL SPECS
Pin Length - 4.5 inches
Ball Weight - 15 pounds


DRILL PATTERN
Pin to PAP - 3.5 - 4 inches (sorry no Armadillo for Layout)
CG to PAP - about 1"
X Hole (if needed) - 5.5 inches thru cg on VAL
MB Location - 45 degrees


BOWLER STYLE
Rev Rate - unsure
Ball Speed - 17.5 mph
PAP/Track - 4 7/8 - 1/8 up


SURFACE PREPARATION
Grit - 2000 Abralon
Type (Matte, Polish, Sanded) - Matte


LANE CONDITION #1
Length - 41 feet synthetics
Volume - unsure
Type (Wall, Xmas Tree, Sport) - wall at 7 (I was told this)


BALL REACTION
Length - 45 feet
Back End - a ton
Overall Hook - a ton
Midlane Read - smooth
Breakpoint Shape - Skid / snap


COMMENTS
Carry - Light hits and flush. Doesn't like high hits
Likes - Overall on synthetic THS, this is a monster. I can see why this ball is getting such great reviews. I was able to play anywhere on the lane.
Dislikes - Don't pull a shot unless there's a large puddle in the middle of the lane.

LANE CONDITION #2
Length - 41 feet Old Wood Lanes
Volume - unsure
Type (Wall, Xmas Tree, Sport) - flat pattern


BALL REACTION
Length - 45 feet
Back End - Smooth off the breakpoint
Overall Hook - medium
Midlane Read - smooth
Breakpoint Shape - Skid / arc

COMMENTS
Carry - Light hits and flush. Doesn't like high hits.
Likes - Overall on the old woods lanes of this house, this ball is consistent witha good midlane read and a smooth backend.With my normal shot (17.5 mph), I was able to play 1st arrow straight up and get a nice finish. If I wanted to slow my speed down (15 mph), I was able to move deeper inside and play a 5-8 board swing.
Dislikes - At this house on this condition, the bal is very speed sensitive.

Overall it is a welcome addition into my bag this year. I will be getting another and drilling it with a different layout.

Moose

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Re: Black Widow
« Reply #23 on: October 31, 2006, 07:05:17 PM »
I got my Widow beginning of the season,greatest ball I've had since my black hammer, finished last year at 219,am now at 231 for the first 8 weeks and leading average in the league ,smooth arch and very predictable,It Is good enough for Doug Kent,he just won $100,000 this week with it,its not the strongest ball hammer has out , but it sure working for me

DynoLess Daddy

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Re: Black Widow
« Reply #24 on: November 01, 2006, 10:59:11 PM »
Drilling!  5 x 5.5

....o
..O O

     cg

...O
    mb

I did the unthinkable.  I readjusted the BW to 1000 wet sand and then polished to 2000 degree. The control with raw power was evident. After watching this from week to week. I made the right decision to alter surface to control 40 ft. House. 256, 255 before having to change to my babies.

Steve Z. (Ebonite) did not lie when he said watch the length and the return....
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DynoLess Daddy

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Re: Black Widow
« Reply #25 on: November 04, 2006, 02:06:26 AM »
Rounds two and three...

The widow provided a stronger reaction than expected. It also needs some oil man! Decided to take it out to a short oil house and got on the next shift. I had to put it away or play the lone thumber for more tilt. Suprisingly with cover modification it made the mid lane but WOW on the comeback. Stronger and more angular.....

More to come!
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NotgNivoc

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Re: Black Widow
« Reply #26 on: November 07, 2006, 05:55:39 AM »
*Update*

It is most unfortunate that I must be the one to say this, but this ball is a VERY high maintanence ball.  In order to keep your area huge (and trust me, you really can get HUGE area with this ball) you have to soak/bake/thoroughly clean this ball at least once a week.  Failure to do so will result in the ball sliding so long to the point that the ball never truly flips.  So if you feel like your ball has lost it's carrying power, you know what to do. (It takes about 300 games or so to see it happen, but happen it will)

(I'm not accusing you of doing it but..)
*Don't, FOR ANY REASON, use acetone on this coverstock. For some reason doing so will cause this ball to never hook again*

THEICEMAN

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Re: Black Widow
« Reply #27 on: November 08, 2006, 01:23:15 PM »
After making a mistake on a drill on a new Threshold I decided to go with what's hot and punch up a Black Widow.  What's happenenig in our area this year is the proprietors (most at least, some opted not to)decided to toughen up the shot a little.  I haven't had any trouble hitting the hole but the carry has gone south.  I was throwing a Paradigm most of last year standing 42 and throwing 18 out to 10.  This year it was about 33 throwing 12 and if you got over aggresive the ball pushed.  As it was, lots of 10's so it became more speed sensetive.  I'm guessing a wider pattern or a few more units wide.
I was looking for a ball that I could get back left and let it wheel without worrying about hang if I got a pinch wide or over aggresive.  With the Black Widow what I've seen after the first night was it allows just that.  I throw around 16 to 17 mph with a fairly good rev rate with 15lb equipment. On this ball we went with the pin below the bridge and kicked out the CG about 1-1/2 inches off the midline.  It's a monster and there needs to be a healthy puddle in the middle or this ball will go left...FAST.  I ended up standing 43 and trowing about 18 with the mentality of throwing it as hard as I could and still maintain balance at the line.  One thing I noticed right away if I got it a pinch in, instead of getting enough push and likely leaving 10's as with my other equipment it flushes up and is more apt to leave a 4 or 9 pin.
But basically with the thought of trying to throw it past the pocket there is no limit to how far this ball recovers from the right and hits hard.  Only shot 650 but fell off the last game.  Normally when the ball wants to turn up a bit earlier I give it a bit more air time at the line and project my target down lane a few feet farther. Since I've had to mellow things down to get stuff to face up better I couldn't get that down last night. Well see how it goes tonight but I may actually have to hit the 4000 Abralon with a pinch of polish to tame this beast down a bit.  I know we had oil last night as the other right hander on my team said he was about 4 boards right of normal.  Ancious to see it on a bit flatter pattern.

theiceman

Mike Austin

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Re: Black Widow
« Reply #28 on: November 09, 2006, 02:23:05 AM »
Drilled my Black Widow with my favorite layout.  Ball is 15lbs with 2.10 top weight before drilling, 3-4 pin, but close to 3".  Put the pin under my fingers on my span line, with the cg out, and MB about 2 1/2 inches right of my thumb and below.  This puts the pin 4 1/2 inches from my PAP at about a 45 degree layout.  I had to use a small hole to get the ball to legal, put that hole down, 7' from my grip center at a 45 degree or low rev position.

Used this ball on PBA Regional Pattern 5 in the box finish.  250, 250 first two games, had more back end than my Infinite One, with only slightly less total hook.  This ball really hits a ton.  I got some over/under reaction as the lanes broke down really fast, but I don't blame this on the ball.

Since then, I hit this ball with Brunswick Rough Buff so that I could throw it in league.  The only league I am bowling this year is late, but on Brunswick Synthetics.  Shot 689 this first week and didn't really bowl well.  Hit the ball with 1000 grit Abralon to knock off some shine.  Sooo Money!!  No tap 900 for 753.  Kept my target down the lane to keep my hand motion soft, and I had so much area.  The ball really has some recovery from the dry, even more when you hit it hard with your hand motion.

This ball is so very versatile.  Shiny can be used for medium, dull can be used for heavy oil.  Any style bowler will like this ball.  Adjust the surface to suit the lane condition and go throw strikes.  I may drill another and keep it dull, would like to try one with the pin up above my fingers also.  Hope this helps ya.... Enjoy the Black Widow, really nice ball!!!!!
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Freakin10pin

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Re: Black Widow
« Reply #29 on: November 17, 2006, 09:08:29 AM »
I laid the ball out with the pin 4" out and the HMB under right side of my thumb.

I worked with the surface and found 2000 abralon to be the best.

The ball is all backend .. no mid-lane at all. If the ball begins to hook in the mid-lane then put it away since it will only be a matter of time till you pay.

I like the ball very much..great weapon on the wet/dry house shots. Not good from outside angles. If skip/flip is your game you will like the ball very much.
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Angelfire

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Re: Black Widow
« Reply #30 on: November 24, 2006, 11:56:20 PM »
Decided that it was time to try something new besides the Columbia and Ebonite balls. A very strong reactive ball for med/heavy conditions with a vicious backend snap.

The layout is 3 1/2"- 4" pin drilled stacked with MB below the thumbhole. Still at OOB finished.

I got this after trading my Action Packed since I needed a ball that I could fit with my Action Max for fresh med/heavy conditions or carrydown encounters. What I didn't realize was how well this ball can handle in different types of lane conditions.

The first one I tried it on was fresh med/heavy with fresh backends and this ball carrys well. I played the 18 board to 12 board at breakpoint.  I do get a good amount of length in the oil and instead of a skid/snap, I got a more smooth hook in the pocket. I found it wierd at first but still kept the pins low once it hit the pocket. Only took about 5-7 games before I had to switch balls. Average d around 205 with it after 6 games.

The second type was medium oil with dry outside boards around the 12 to 10 board. This is where the snap happens, and a hard one at that. Same target at 18 board but kept the breakpoint at about 10 to 8 board. Once it hits dry, it turns hard left and doesn't even stop. But speed and accuracy did play a factor in it so I couldn't slow down too much or overhook on my ball speed.  Otherwise, it'll just go past the pocket and leave some 3,10 or 4,6,10 splits. Only did two games and got 244 and 265.

And finally used it on my league tonight and the lanes where heavily oiled with carrydown for bowlers practicing on it prior to league. Had to wait til the last game since it didn't have much backend to it due to the oil.  This time, I played a bit more out and in with it at the 12-10 board for my target and breakpoint. But once the last game came, this ball shined and got through the heads well. I had to put more revs into it to get it through the carrydown and it did well and got me a 234 with it.

So, I'm going to say this is a very good ball, more than I expected and I hope that I could try a  Black Widow pearl if Hammer does decide to make one.  

Video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-buAfZHIjDs
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