I used to have the original back in the 80s and early 90s and yearned to get a new one. I finally got one. It looks like the original, but it does roll differently due to the (very reliable) Vibe core. But one thing for sure, this ball WILL skid on oil, hence its purpose for drier lanes (short oil, low-volume oil, breakdown oil, or just plain dry).
I took it to a house (Brunswick synthetic) on a Sunday morning where I knew the lanes were not oiled; but rather they had leftover oil from the day before (it's the summer season, you understand; in the winter they normally re-oil every Sunday morning). I brought my Slingshot with me to help me compare.
Both balls were drilled 4.5 x 4 with pin above the ring finger. I threw the Slingshot first, it pushed down long before moving to the pocket at an angular hook-and-set from the 10-board breakpoint (I stood on 21). I then followed with the Blue on the same line. It pushed down long the same, but it finished smoother and straighter; I left the bucket or weak 7/10s !
So I moved further right, stood on 18, and played the old-fashioned 10-10 shot. (Remember the early TV shows of the Pro Bowlers Tour ?) The ball dominated on this shot ! Strike every time. The old-style Dick Weber way.
The synthetic lanes in this house are normally tacky due to the humidity and I always struggled with reactive balls snapping off early to miss the pocket left and/or hit the nose no matter where I shoot. (Only the Slingshot would match up correctly in this case, as long as I always play a little inside with medium put-out.) The Blue doesn't feel the tackiness at all ! It keeps going straight and smooth. Even on the gutter shot (the 1-board), the Slingshot hooked too much but the Blue didn't; it showed a smooth gradual arc from there to the pocket. I could have used a little stronger layout (i.e. stacked) but I like the way the Blue gives me a way out whenever I get stuck with overreaction on medium dry, regardless of what breakpoint I would play.
I know other houses that have rougher midlane areas; whenever I see that much friction when playing inside, I will have the confidence to use the Blue when I need it. On smoother lanes, the Blue will be a killer on the outside !
Either way, when you complement a good weak reactive ball with a quality urethane like the Blue, you will have your butt covered with the flexibility to play either inside or outside on the "dry" as the friction dictates.
I like the Blue much better than the Natural. I'm so glad to get one back.
Likes: Wet-dry, short, or low-volume oil. Anywhere the ball can find dry.
Dislikes: Wet-Medium oil or greater. It skids on oil.
"Hink" - Storm bowler with a few RotoGrips & Ebonites on the side - and one Hammer thrown in the kitchen sink Plenty of competition in L'il Rhody if you know where to find it !
