looking to possibly get the new blue hammer urethane... just wanted some feedback from people who have thrown it or seen people using it...anything will help???

it is a very good ball to have for short patterns or burnt lanes, but i would look into the Columbia U2 Classic, I feel it is a bit stronger due to the weight block.

I was extremely disappointed in mine.  I loved the Vibe core so I was expecting more.

My OG Blue Hammer ran circles around this one.  I even liked the Storm Natural more.  The Blue Hammer just never finished for me on the backend despite surface changes.  Too much surface and it just read the lane earlier, but still hit weak.

I did bowl league with a lower revs stroker like myself who killed it with his, though.  Go figure!

Doug,

It might just not have been drilled right for your game. Although they say the core is a Vibe core, the RG and differential are so different from the Vibe core used in the balls with the "Vibe" name, that it is really a different core. Only the same general shape is simialr; the core specs make it an almost completely different animal. If you or your driller laid it out the same as any of your regular Vibes, that could have been a mistake. I don't know for sure; I am just saying "could have". Together with its "urethane" roll/reaction characteristics, I think you and I (for I just ordered one myself) need to think outside the box, with respect to how to lay this ball out, for the best results.

I like mine. clean in the heads,good midlane and control of the break.carry is good as well.

Well between Jeff's comments and the video I think the drilling was the culprit on mine, which was drilled stacked pin under bridge.  I think the pin to PAP was just too long (my PAP is 4 5/8 over and 1/16 up).

That identical layout on an old Norm Duke Signature Hammer (lightbulb core with a solid, but weak, reactive shell) gives me plenty of length and a lot of forward roll.  And that ball has wonderful carry.  I can play up the outside almost all day with it.

Doug,

If it helps any, when I drill mine, right now, I'm thinking of a 3.5-4" pin PAP, 30-35 degree VAL angle, and 55-65 degree Drill angle. I'll probably leave it at 4000 grit dull to start with and use polish if the length isn't what I need. Not sure how soon I'll drill it.

I absolutely love mine.  I went with a "standard" layout of 5" below fingers with a flare increasing hole.  It pushes easily and picks up the midlane really well.  Hitting has been excellent even from 2-3 arrow.  Granted, I have plenty of axis rotation so finish isn't an issue.

It's been fantastic the 3rd game when the track blows up and I want to square up.  I hadn't been using it because I felt it wasn't going to be strong enough since they changed the shot this year (was using Kegel Beaten Path) but the past several weeks the friction has been high.  Switched last week in the 4th frame of the 3rd game and went sheet. Did the same last night from the 7th frame on.

I've been thinking about drilling another stronger with surface to use earlier.  Allow me to stay right most of the night.  Anyone drill multiple with different layouts?

I have one, drilled pin up.  Liked it at first, but after getting some old Fab Hammers I never use it.  Very over/under for me.  I'm thinking about plugging it and re-drilling it a lot stronger.  That may make it a better ball for me. 

It will be hard to knock the Red and Burgundy Hammers from first out of the bag though.