http://www.ballreviews.com/Forum/Replies.asp?TopicID=204580&ForumID=73&CategoryID=2

I'll not bother to bump the topic since few would stay on topic, but it sums up my feelings about covers poured by Ebonite.  Some are great, some not as much so.  Again, this is how I feel, I don't have any proof.  BTW, I haven't used my Bite since my summer PBA league, but it was still going strong (well, as strong as it ever was when new) when I last used it.
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Penn State Proud

Ron Clifton's Bowling Tip Archive

The Widows die. Some are more fortunate then others, but these balls just don't last. I know quite a few people around here who have had Sold/Pearl/Bite die on them in a minimum amount of games. I shot close to 1,600 for 6 with a BWP that wasn't mine and never bothered to drill one because of the bad luck people have with them.
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My Vid
Formerly Brunswick Lefty & Richard Cranium

I had no luck with the Solid or the Pearl, but I have quite a few games with the Blue Vibe and I don't think that I lost any reaction with regards to the Blue Vibe.  The Anger, No Mercy Beat'n and the Widows, I had no luck with, except the Bite for about 40 games.

I don't know why some bowlers don't experience the problems with the ball death, but I know we use to have the same discussion with Columbia bowling balls a few years back.  Even then we had those who truly believed in the ball death syndrome and those who never had a problem.  I can't talk about others experience, only mine and I believe the Ebonite took the place of the Columbia ball death syndrome.






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Nicanor (Ten On The Deck)

Edited on 10/12/2008 10:35 PM

I agree with the comment about the Widow line losing reaction quicker than other lines from Hammer. I've thrown a Black Widow Bite, No Mercy, Anger, Psycho, Toxic, Pain (admittedly the Pain cracked 3 weeks after I got it from my friend, so no real base to judge it.) The Bite was by far the most sensitive to cover breakdown, or oil absorption.

I've had my No Mercy for over a year now and I've only put it through the Hook Again chamber once and it still hooks a decent amount on the backend whenever I throw the ball. However, in the 8 months I've had my Bite, I've had it resurfaced 3-4 times, put through the Hook Again 4-5 times all because of a notable decline in backend after say 40-45 games. Probably due to the more aggressive coverstock, but for the average bowler, this kind of maintenance can not be logically expected for a decent period of time. I like my Bite, but if my best friend asked me if he should get one, I'd tell him to get a different ball that doesn't require so much upkeep.

Sorry for whatever that says, I'm not reading it.
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BLARGH

Edited on 10/13/2008 2:35 AM

Nic: Like strider, I have a Bite. I like it, but I'm basically keeping it on the sideline for tournaments only. The ball has only 15-20 games total at this point, and no degradation in reaction.

I'm curious what maintenance regime you used:

1) Did you clean the ball after each set, and if so, what cleaner did you use?
2) Did you attempt any rejuvenation? (Revivor oven, hot water bath)
3) Did you attempt to resurface, bringing the surface up to 4000 Abralon?

Your input would be appreciated.

I use a micro fiber towel during any set.  Then at home I use Hook-It with a little water on a 2000 Ablaron pad and finish with a 4000 Ablaron pad.  I have two Bites and both seem to go in the same direction.  I did not try a rejuvenation process but I will try a hot water soak with some dawn.




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Nicanor (Ten On The Deck)

I use a spinner at home, but I keep Ablaron pads in my bag so I can do it by hand at the lanes if needed.


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Nicanor (Ten On The Deck)

I have a Black Widow Pearl with about 150 games on it.  It appeared to "die" on me in February after about 75 total games.  I cleaned my ball on the spinner, and let a little friction build on the towel that I used. The ball got warm to the touch, which I think helped get a little more oil out of it.  I finish the cleaning process by spraying water on the ball, and cleaning the ball cleaner off.  The ball then worked like new again.

You might want to give something like that a try.

Edited on 10/13/2008 4:13 PM