Post by: dougb on October 17, 2009, 07:13:37 AM
THE COMPETITORS: Buzzsaw THS, OOB (1000 polished) vs. a Storm HyRoad and Storm T-Road Pearl, both OOB (1500 polished). All three balls have label drills, pin about 1:30 to the right and below ring finger.
BOWLER: medium revs/speed stroker. I'm just an average bowler.
LANE CONDITIONS: 41' Xmas tree with a few games bowled on it.
COMMENTS: I posted a review of the THS a few weeks ago, and since that time I've been comparing it to my other equipment. I suspect the THS is the only ball I need to bring with me to cover most of the lane conditions I see, so I set out to prove whether that's true or not.
The HyRoad and the T-Road Pearl are a fantastic 1-2 punch. Both balls have Storm's proven Thunder line core, one of their all-time best sellers. The Hy-Road's hybrid cover can be used on anything from medium to heavy oil, while it's Pearl partner works on light to medium. Predictability and a smooth, gentle arc is what these balls are about. For the past year the T-Road Pearl has been my favorite ball.
RESULTS: I chose the third arrow as my target in all 3 games. The HyRoad had me standing 6 boards left of the T-Road Pearl, while the THS worked best standing exactly between those two. In the end, I found the best look standing at 32 with the T-Road Pearl, 35 with the THS, and 38 with the HyRoad, with a breakpoint around 15. However, I had no problem playing the HyRoad or the T-Road's lines with the THS. It is the more versatile ball.
By the third game, the Hy-Road was forcing me to play a deeper inside line than I was comfortable with, and the T-Road Pearl was struggling a bit with the carrydown. The THS held: no jumps off the dry and it easily made it through the carrydown. In fact, the THS proved to be more predictable than the other two, and more forgiving for operator error.
The carry on the Storm balls is more enjoyable to watch, as the pins explode on contact. No such drama with the THS. But in the end, the THS rewarded me with more strikes, even on errant shots where I missed my target. Equally important, the Storm balls left me some nasty splits and washouts when I missed. This was especially true with the HyRoad as the lanes started to breakdown. I only had one pocket split with the THS and no washouts. The THS appears to deliver better carry.
CONCLUSION: As much as I love the HyRoad/T-Road Pearl combo, the THS takes the place of both balls. It is “one ball to rule them allâ€!
Post by: Randy T on October 17, 2009, 05:03:26 PM
Post by: Doug Sterner on October 17, 2009, 09:51:51 PM
These 2 facts are why Richie make the statement he did about teh ball being THE ball for the THS....dont try to bank the ball off the ditch from the 5th arrow...it ain't gonna happen. That's not what the ball was designed for....
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Doug Sterner
Doug's Pro Shop
Owego, NY
http://dougsproshop@aol.com
www.dougsproshop.net
Lane 1 Buzzsaw...The Official Power Tool Of Bowling
For Real Time Interactive Bowling Conversation:
BowlingChat.net (http://"http://www.bowlingchat.net")
Post by: car191 on October 18, 2009, 03:27:14 AM
quote:
You've been bowling for all of one year and have a high series of 609. Are we really supposed to take this review seriously? Leave the reviews to people that don't totally suck.
Harry...Why don't you enlighten us with your qualifications that allow you to judge anyones experiences with a ball?
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Ron
Post by: directdrill on October 18, 2009, 07:44:36 AM
quote:
I chose the third arrow as my target in all 3 games. The HyRoad had me standing 6 boards left of the T-Road Pearl, while the THS worked best standing exactly between those two. In the end, I found the best look standing at 32 with the T-Road Pearl, 35 with the THS, and 38 with the HyRoad, with a breakpoint around 15.
Are you sure of your breakpoint being 15? You were standing on 32, 35, or 38 depending on the ball with the 3rd arrow (15 board) as your target and your breakpoint was 15?
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Hook 'em Horns!
"Stats are for losers, I like winning games." - Will Muschamp, Texas Defensive Coordinator
Post by: dougb on October 18, 2009, 04:01:38 PM
quote:quote:
I chose the third arrow as my target in all 3 games. The HyRoad had me standing 6 boards left of the T-Road Pearl, while the THS worked best standing exactly between those two. In the end, I found the best look standing at 32 with the T-Road Pearl, 35 with the THS, and 38 with the HyRoad, with a breakpoint around 15.
Are you sure of your breakpoint being 15? You were standing on 32, 35, or 38 depending on the ball with the 3rd arrow (15 board) as your target and your breakpoint was 15?
My breakpoint was 10 -- thanks for catching my mistake. As for Bradley's comments, the THS takes the place of both balls. And you're right, Randy -- I love that ball. Thanks for selling it to me!
Post by: Randy T on October 18, 2009, 05:57:19 PM
Post by: DOWNTOWN on October 18, 2009, 07:30:42 PM
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You've been bowling for all of one year and have a high series of 609. Are we really supposed to take this review seriously? Leave the reviews to people that don't totally suck.
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Harry...Why don't you enlighten us with your qualifications that allow you to judge anyones experiences with a ball?
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+1
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800=2
300=10
Post by: mmcfarland300 on October 19, 2009, 08:27:22 AM
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"Another day will bring a different result"
"Pick your battles because stressing over things will not change an outcome"
Post by: jbruno6 on October 19, 2009, 10:08:14 AM
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A half ten is not a great shot. No, you shouldn't have carried it.
Post by: MaidenheadBandit on October 19, 2009, 10:09:04 AM
Good review, and the analysis makes sence. It is good to see reviews from all levels of bowler, as this helps in ball selection for all not just the pros on this site!!!.
Also your adequate and honest profile helps us even more.
Cheers
MB
(NOTE... To: Harry Ballsagna,, how is your informative and detailed profile comming along)
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Have no fear of perfection - you'll never reach it.....
Beer for the man, white wine fruit based drink for the lady.
Lane 1 for the man, storm fruit smelling ball for the lady.....
(\ /)
( . .)
c(')(')
Post by: mmcfarland300 on October 19, 2009, 12:55:53 PM
quote:
Im kinda surprised no one else has asked this but if your standing at 35 with the THS, at the arrows your at 15 and breakpoint is 10, your either drifting way to much or you lean way the he11 over at the line. Where are your feet at the line?
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"Another day will bring a different result"
"Pick your battles because stressing over things will not change an outcome"
Anyone????
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"Another day will bring a different result"
"Pick your battles because stressing over things will not change an outcome"
Why is everyone avoiding this.......According to his information the ball is either hooking at his feet and rolling out to get to the pocket or it would be going to the ditch.
Edited on 10/20/2009 8:20 AM
Post by: OddBalls on October 19, 2009, 01:10:33 PM
quote:
Everything he said makes total sense....the THS SHOULD be more predictable (it is a solid resin afterall) and the core is simpler without the flipblocks and inner nuggets.
These 2 facts are why Richie make the statement he did about teh ball being THE ball for the THS....dont try to bank the ball off the ditch from the 5th arrow...it ain't gonna happen. That's not what the ball was designed for....
--------------------
Doug Sterner
Doug's Pro Shop
Owego, NY
http://dougsproshop@aol.com
www.dougsproshop.net
Lane 1 Buzzsaw...The Official Power Tool Of Bowling
For Real Time Interactive Bowling Conversation:
BowlingChat.net (http://"http://www.bowlingchat.net")
Doesn't the Orbit Extreme has this also??
Solid superflex cover and a simple core design?
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Yes. it's I, the Inverted One..
Post by: urbanj51 on October 19, 2009, 03:49:32 PM
quote:
Harry, stop being a hate filled liberal, you're better than that....
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A half ten is not a great shot. No, you shouldn't have carried it.
No he isn't.
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F.O.S. 4 Life baby!
Reppin Lane #1 Loud and Proud baby!
www.urbanballwhore.com
Post by: dougb on November 20, 2009, 03:48:20 PM
Up to last week, I've compared my THS to a Storm HyRoad (OOB, label), Storm T-Road Pearl (OOB, label), Hammer Cherry Vibe (OOB, label), Brunswick C*System (2.5) (OOB, pin over ring finger, cg kicked out slightly, x-hole), Brunswick BVP Wizard (1000 polished, rico), and a Columbia 300 Rival (OOB, pin over ring finger, cg kicked out slightly).
As reported earlier, the THS easily replaced both Storm balls. The C*System is a great ball, but it doesn't function without oil. The Cherry Vibe was not made to compete in it's OOB finish.
My experience was the only ball that compared in versatility was the rico-drilled Wizard, which has the famed PK18 coverstock and the same surface as the THS (1000 polished). The THS is just a little smoother and gets the legendary Lane #1 carry.
The Columbia 300 Rival -- itself a great benchmark ball -- came in a close second at 4000 abralon. But it can't handle the same wide range of lane conditions as the THS.
However, last week I discovered a new ball that can handle more, and it beats the THS for smoothness, predictability, ability to handle over/under conditions, and carry.
That ball is................................................ ...................................... A FABALL BLUE HAMMER!
I'm a little sad to say it, because this is an old ball. But I picked up a single drill original Faball Blue Hammer (one that was made in Utah) for $30 and had it redrilled label. The seller had just plugged and resurfaced it.
I've used this ball on fresh THS, medium oil THS, and toasted lanes (where I was throwing my Lane #1 Bullet).
I cannot believe how smooth it is or it's ability to sail through oil or dry spots without changing direction at all. Just that smooth arc to the pocket and then it crushes the pins.
I like to play a down-and-in shot up the first or second arrow, and I can play the same line with this ball without making any adjustments for many games. This morning I was standing on 20 and shooting up 5 with the Hammer, but I had to stand on 30 and play up 15 with the THS (mmcfarland300 correctly noted that I drift, usually at least 5 boards to the right on my approach). Out of 4 games I ended up moving 6 boards left in my stance and 2 for my target with the THS to keep in the oil. But I stayed in the same spot and the same target with the Hammer.
I always though Lane #1 was cheating when it comes to carry, but now I'm starting to see why these old Hammer balls are still coveted. Not a lot of messengers, the ball just mows them down.
The lack of jumpiness with the urethane, combined with watching the last two PBA telecasts, makes me think I should pick up a Storm Natural.
Don't get me wrong -- I still love my THS and think everyone should have one of these for THS and leagues -- but for now the Blue Hammer is the first ball out of my bag.
Post by: mrfox101 on November 20, 2009, 08:59:05 PM
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Just a few Saws...
& a couple Hammers
Edited on 11/20/2009 10:05 PM
Edited on 11/20/2009 10:06 PM
Edited on 11/20/2009 10:18 PM