Beginning to switch to mostly Hammer and Lane Masters equipment, and got the Psycho to compliment my Anger.  To really see the difference between these two balls, and also make a nice combination in my arsenal, I drilled the Psycho the same as my Anger, pin above the bridge, CG stacked below just above the center of my grip.  First time out, I liked the reaction of the Vibe a bit more than the Psycho, but what I have found out about the Psycho, is it has a fantastic amount of hold built into it.  I think this is partially due to the layout, but also attributed to the ball as well.  It is about 3-4 boards less hook than the Anger, and as you begin to move inside, it is easy to chase the oil line, and watch it fly off the breakpoint when it reaches the friction.  I have been able to use the Psycho a bit longer than I guessed I would making this a great ball to handle any medium condition, all the way down to a medium dry.  The hitting power is fantastic, and it handles carrydown extremely well from what I have seen.  This is an excellent benchmark ball to be put right in the middle of your arsenal, and get a good read on how much oil is on the lane.  More often than not, this will be a great ball to start, if not, get the Anger out, if it's too much, it's Vibe time.  Great job Hammer!!!

Hammer RAW HAMMER PSYCHO
Weight: 15#
Top Weight: 3.5 oz.
Pin Placement: 2-3"

Layout:
4 1/2" Pin Above the Ring Finger. CG slightly kicked out. No Weight Hole necessary.

First Impression:

Very clean through the heads with a smooth and continuous backend reaction.

Comparison/Contrast:

PSYCHO vs. BWP

By far the Widow Pearl is more aggressive off the dry which in turn has more backend reaction. The Psycho is a great compliment due to the fact that when the Pearl is flying, the Psycho will give you that great backend reaction yet it will NOT be as profound off the dry and drastic as the BWP. Comparing to the Widow Pearl, you can play straighter on heavier oil conditions and not have to worry about it over reacting.

Final Conclusion:

If you seek a ball with decent backend reaction with a more aggressive smooth archy reaction, then look no further than the RAW HAMMER PSYCHO!
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--Michael Price--

-McCorvey''s Pro Shop Staff-
-"The Complete Bowler''s Pro Shop!"-
http://www.mccorveysproshop.com/http://

HAMMER HEAD RESURRECTED!

Evolution Tag Team Member # 1

My PAP: 5 1/4" over by 3/4" up. 15-15.5 mph. Above average revs. I'd say I'm somewhere in between tweener and cranker.

Drilling: Pin 4 3/4" from PAP, above my ring finger.

THS: With the OOB 4000 Abralon + Polish, The Psycho really tears it up on THS. It has great midlane read with a strong arcing backend motion. The ball is definitely NOT a skid-flippy ball, but the move isn't weak either. The new Assault core is definitely a winner in my book. Provides excellent hit that I've come to expect from Hammer, and it really whips pins around. As far as total amount of hook is concerned, I was actually surpised at how strong it is.

So far I've taken the cover down all the way to 1000 grit abralon. The basic reaction is what you'd expect, the lower the grit gets, the earlier the ball rolls, and more overall. So far I've had the most success with the OOB surface. Without polish the ball tends to start too early for even THS after the first game or so.

The only condition that I really can't use this ball on is really light oil, or a shot with burnt up heads. The ball is simply too much for either of the two.

Overall this thing is a real winner. Seems to be pretty forgiving to both speed and hand action mistakes. Anyone looking for a great medium oil ball with all the hit and carry of a high performance ball at a mid-price point the Psycho is for you. And as a bonus it looks sweet too!

Matt


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Hammer Pride Staff

http://www.hammerstuff.com
http://www.hammerbowling.com

"Nothing Hits Like A Hammer"

Here is my review of both of my Raw Hammer Pyschos!

Layout #1 - 5 1/4 x 4 1/2CG
Layout Pic #1 - http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/TheOne9110/PyschoLayout.jpg

Layout #2 - 3 x 2CG
Layout Pic #2 - http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/TheOne9110/Pyscho2.jpg

Stats are as follows:
PAP - 5 3/8 OVER
Speed - About 14-15mph
Revs - About 200-300rpms.

Reaction Wanted: I just wanted a Pyscho!

Reaction Received (#1): My Pyscho #1 is like a dream ball. I have many games on this ball, and it has yet to show any sign of reaction-loss. The ball has nice midlane read, and never jumps very hard off the spot. It gets in the dry of the shot, revs, and just stands up into the pins. As long as there's decent dry, Pyscho #1 works very well! A medium oil piece at best!

Reaction Received (#2): Pyscho #2 is just a bit confusing to me so far. The ball has no more than 10 games on it, but I feel I know its' general reaction so far. It seems, although it's drilled to be earlier, that it goes longer than Pyscho #1, but still has that strong arc. Compared to #1, this Pyscho definitely only arcs, though. Pyscho #1 has more backend recovery, and lets me play a little deeper on the lane!

Overall: The Pyscho is a big winner from Hammer! It is probably my favorite pearl ball of all time, right next to the Hammer Sling Blade (yes, that legend). I am very pleased with my Pyschos, and would recommend one to anybody! I feel many people need a reaction the Pyscho gives. For a pearl, it really smooths out the lane for you, and gives you a little heads up as to how the lanes are playing!

Single shot video:
(Pyscho #2 only, for now)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzNYDmMhMnY (also, don't mind my so fascinated sister)


I hope this review helped in some way/shape/or form. If there's any additional questions on something i missed, or something you would like to know, then LMK! The ball is amazing, and a great release from AMF!

Thanks to Beans for drilling it! Thanks for reading!
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-Brian
http://BeansProShop.com
Home of the Secret Sauce!

Right Handed
15-17mph
300-325 rev rate
High Track

15lb
1in pin

http://i471.photobucket.com/albums/rr78/keeones23/DSC01060.jpg

House Shot 38ft AMF HPL SYNTHETICS

I got this ball to play right around the second arrow. If I remember correctly it's supposed to be a label drill. What I got out of the ball is pretty good length and a smooth arching motion when there's oil present. Once the the lanes transition it gets to be a little snappy. I experienced a little over/under when there was carrydown from the women's league before us.

All in all the Psycho is a pretty decent ball. When I made it to the pocket it hit, and carried about average. I've owned a lot of hammers releases the past few years and as of now this may be the most condition specific one I have had. If I bowled on fresh shots my opinion might be different. For the leagues that I bowl in which are both second shift, one after women and the other after the men, the psycho was too much or not enough.

Overall I'd give it a 7/10

This review is without having made any surface adjustments at all. If i so choose to tinker with the cover I will definitely update. For now this is where I stand.



I'd give the ball an 8/10

Just got one of these I bowled with it for about 15 games. It hooked more than my Toxic but less than my Reaper. It performed as expected great length with a decent move to the pocket. I would recommend this ball to anyone with a lot of hand and decent speed.

Layout - 5 x 3 pin down with a low hole
Surfaces used - box, 320, 1000, 1000 polish, 2000, 2000 polish, 4000

  In box finish the Psycho gets down the lane easily, makes a defined midlane move, and then has a nice and strong "pop" right into the pocket. I REALLY like the way this ball rolls. its very predictable and controllable without any bad habits. Just about everyone describes this ball as "arcy" but i have to partially disagree. while it does make a noticeable move in the middle of the lane, there is a defined move when it hits the dry. I would NOT call it a "flip." its more of a "pop."

  Surface changes suit this ball well and change the reaction as you would expect. at 1000 grit there is no "pop" downlane and the reaction shape becomes a smooth and floaty arc. 320 grit was done kind of as a joke.. i dont recommend that surface as its like trying to throw a snow tire down a rubber lane. it hooked so much that it almost hooked in my backswing and ripped my hand off... ...not really.. but 320 grit is not recommended.

  Overall it hooks about 2 boards less than the Acid and the two compliment each other very well.
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http://www.atomicpilot.com