A little background before the review. I'm 27 and have been bowling in leagues since I was 4, including four years of collegiate bowling. I've used approximately 40 different balls since I started bowling.
I purchased the Blade Pearl one year ago (Jan '03) because I liked it so much at the Hammer Demo Days in Elkhart, IN. It is #15, 1.5" pin, CG in palm and pin under ring finger. I know a lot of people say this often, but I must say that this is the BEST ball I have ever used. It gives me a consistent, smooth reaction that is easily adaptable from playing down and in to getting inside of the fourth arrow. Even though this is a pearl ball, it is well suited to standard house conditions and medium oil patterns. If you are looking for a "Go-To" ball, this is it! I can always pull this ball out at the beginning of the night to get an excellent read of the lane conditions. Trust me I have used and owned so many other balls and my comparison, this is the most predictable, smoothest, and best-hitting ball by far.
As of this time last year (Jan. 2003), I didn't have any 300 games nor any games above 297. Since purchasing the Blade Pearl one year ago I have shot five 300's, two 299's, one 298, one 297, and one 296 with it. I also have one 800 series with it. All of these scores were spread across five different houses, some synthetic and some wood.
About two months ago I noticed that it was not making the turn very well anymore. The problem was COMPLETELY resolved by using the Ebonite powder restore system. After one year, the reaction is not noticeably different than when it was new.
