BallReviews

Equipment Boards => Hammer => Topic started by: Doug Sterner on October 14, 2011, 01:17:24 PM

Title: Onyx vs. Grape
Post by: Doug Sterner on October 14, 2011, 01:17:24 PM

I am loving my Grape Vibe right now for most of the THS conditions I have encountered this season. However, every so often I run across a condition where I need a ball that starts up just a hair sooner. If I were to drill up the Onyx with a smaller drilling angle and a slightly stronger pin position AND add a touch of surface, would the Onyx fit the bill??? OR would a Midnight drilled stronger with some surface be better?

 

FYI the Grape is drilled 55x2-3/4x25 with a P2 hole, surface was dulled to 2000 and then a light polish added. I ahve a similarly drilled Venom but I don't throw it much since it flares over the weighthole and ends up tracking over the back of the thumbhole.

 

When the Grape starts moving too much I switch out to an original Blue Hammer drilled off label at 1000 grit.

 

Everything else I have is too strong......Jacked, Epidemic, Nasty, Sting, Infection, Swagga, Trap, etc.

 

So, for anyone who has thrown both, how does the Onyx compare to the Grape?

Doug Sterner
Doug's Pro Shop
Owego, NY
dougsproshop@aol.com
www.dougsproshop.net
RotoGrip Star Pro Shop

Turbo XTreme Dealer

Title: Re: Onyx vs. Grape
Post by: HammerTech on October 15, 2011, 07:53:09 AM

You could drill the Onyx exactly the same and the cover alone will make it start up sooner compared to the Grape. The Onyx has a much stronger cover compared to the Grape (the gold sparkles in the Onyx are mica flecks which act like particle). Hope this helps

Title: Re: Onyx vs. Grape
Post by: cheech on October 15, 2011, 08:31:25 PM

i would go with the black vibe and drill it the same. if you want to add surface i would just take the polish off

sacred heart university bowling, jr.
greatest accomplishment:shooting 603 and not shooting one 200 game(130,173,300)...lol
balls for sale in my profile
everyone is born right handed, only the gifted overcome it

Title: Re: Onyx vs. Grape
Post by: Doug Sterner on October 15, 2011, 08:44:52 PM

Thanks guys...now the million dollar question....

 

If I drilled a Midnight the same way but with less surface and/or polish, would it be longer than the other 2 and give me a 1-2-3 punch for league????

Doug Sterner
Doug's Pro Shop
Owego, NY
dougsproshop@aol.com
www.dougsproshop.net
RotoGrip Star Pro Shop

Turbo XTreme Dealer

Title: Re: Onyx vs. Grape
Post by: HammerTech on October 16, 2011, 09:38:58 AM

It is going to be in between the two. The Grape is a bit cleaner and more backend compared to the Midnight

Title: Re: Onyx vs. Grape
Post by: raven796 on October 16, 2011, 08:48:08 PM

Doug, I have all three vibes and love them.  Just like Tech was saying the Grape is cleaner through the front with a strong continuous backend reaction.  I have hit all three with a very light gray scotchbrite pad just to knock off the shine.  The Midnight is usually my bench mark ball as the Onyx doesn't quite have the finish on the THS we are throwing on.  You might consider the Midnight with a surface adjustment as it will read the lane earlier yet still have great finish and recovery.  Either way, you will not be disappointed with Onyx or the Midnight.