I currently bag two urethane balls. I use the Black Hammer urethane (remake) and a Natural Pearl. The Black Hammer is good when the lanes are tighter, and the Natural Pearl is good to go to when the Black starts picking up too early.

Is the Blue remake truly urethane though? They call it performance urethane, which immediately makes me think back to what they tried accomplishing with the Pure Hammer line. Look at the differences in the ways that they describe the three remakes:

"The Blue Hammer is an iconic throwback in performance ball technology. By combining a re-engineered Vibe core shape with our new Performance Urethane coverstock, we’re introducing a ball that rolls like the old-school balls without actually being old-school stuff. This new spin on older ball motion brings the control of yesterday’s balls and the performance of today to the lane for Hammer!"

Notice how they say rolls like old school without being old school. Now, here's the description of the Black:

"There isn’t a person on this planet that will argue against the fact that Hammer made the best urethane bowling balls back in the day. There is no doubt in our minds bowlers looking for the ball reaction that dominated the 80’s and early 90’s will find it in our new Black Urethane! This is ball is 100% real urethane and offers that true urethane reaction. 15# and 16# balls feature a thick shell. 14# balls use an outer core system."

If the Blue Hammer was the same, why didn't they play up on the 100% pure urethane concept there? They continued playing up on the "thick-shelled urethane" wording with the purple:

"Our Urethane cover is the main ingredient in this masterpiece. Unlike modern covers that produce a violent reaction at the breakpoint, this proven staple is all about giving the user ultimate control of the entire lane. The immediate success of our real, thick shelled Black Urethane had our fans begging for more! To satisfy their desires, we have developed the perfect pearlized, thick shelled coverstock to compliment the Black Urethane. Old school technology with new school hitting power. Because nothing hits like a Hammer."

Maybe I'm just looking too closely, but I find the differences in wording and focus curious.

Is the Blue remake truly urethane though? They call it performance urethane, which immediately makes me think back to what they tried accomplishing with the Pure Hammer line. Look at the differences in the ways that they describe the three remakes:

"The Blue Hammer is an iconic throwback in performance ball technology. By combining a re-engineered Vibe core shape with our new Performance Urethane coverstock, we’re introducing a ball that rolls like the old-school balls without actually being old-school stuff. This new spin on older ball motion brings the control of yesterday’s balls and the performance of today to the lane for Hammer!"

Notice how they say rolls like old school without being old school. Now, here's the description of the Black:

"There isn’t a person on this planet that will argue against the fact that Hammer made the best urethane bowling balls back in the day. There is no doubt in our minds bowlers looking for the ball reaction that dominated the 80’s and early 90’s will find it in our new Black Urethane! This is ball is 100% real urethane and offers that true urethane reaction. 15# and 16# balls feature a thick shell. 14# balls use an outer core system."

If the Blue Hammer was the same, why didn't they play up on the 100% pure urethane concept there? They continued playing up on the "thick-shelled urethane" wording with the purple:

"Our Urethane cover is the main ingredient in this masterpiece. Unlike modern covers that produce a violent reaction at the breakpoint, this proven staple is all about giving the user ultimate control of the entire lane. The immediate success of our real, thick shelled Black Urethane had our fans begging for more! To satisfy their desires, we have developed the perfect pearlized, thick shelled coverstock to compliment the Black Urethane. Old school technology with new school hitting power. Because nothing hits like a Hammer."

Maybe I'm just looking too closely, but I find the differences in wording and focus curious.

you're right on this; I don't believe the Blue remake was a totally true urethane, as it was mainly to compliment the performance Burgundy Hammer that came out shortly after.

BL.

I'm testing a bunch of old school urethane balls for different purposes. I have a 6 inch pin to pap pin down Pitch Black and a Bud II that I really enjoy. They come with me to high friction environments or short patterns.

In response to Charlest, does the Blue Hammer carry well? If I can have the same smooth backened but more length (to my Pitch Black), I will be a very happy man.

xrayjay  -  how do you have your blue hammer laid out? I just bought one for a friend who also enjoys playing outside the track but hasn't been able to with the weakest of resin balls. I am hoping this ball will allow him to play in his comfort zone (straighter up the lane). He has slower ball speed with low-lowish revs and often struggles with over/under reaction when others with more speed/revs don't.

Thank you!

Quote from: Gene J Kanak on December 16, 2016, 02:48:50 PM

Is the Blue remake truly urethane though? They call it performance urethane, which immediately makes me think back to what they tried accomplishing with the Pure Hammer line. Look at the differences in the ways that they describe the three remakes:

"The Blue Hammer is an iconic throwback in performance ball technology. By combining a re-engineered Vibe core shape with our new Performance Urethane coverstock, we’re introducing a ball that rolls like the old-school balls without actually being old-school stuff. This new spin on older ball motion brings the control of yesterday’s balls and the performance of today to the lane for Hammer!"

Notice how they say rolls like old school without being old school. Now, here's the description of the Black:

"There isn’t a person on this planet that will argue against the fact that Hammer made the best urethane bowling balls back in the day. There is no doubt in our minds bowlers looking for the ball reaction that dominated the 80’s and early 90’s will find it in our new Black Urethane! This is ball is 100% real urethane and offers that true urethane reaction. 15# and 16# balls feature a thick shell. 14# balls use an outer core system."

If the Blue Hammer was the same, why didn't they play up on the 100% pure urethane concept there? They continued playing up on the "thick-shelled urethane" wording with the purple:

"Our Urethane cover is the main ingredient in this masterpiece. Unlike modern covers that produce a violent reaction at the breakpoint, this proven staple is all about giving the user ultimate control of the entire lane. The immediate success of our real, thick shelled Black Urethane had our fans begging for more! To satisfy their desires, we have developed the perfect pearlized, thick shelled coverstock to compliment the Black Urethane. Old school technology with new school hitting power. Because nothing hits like a Hammer."

Maybe I'm just looking too closely, but I find the differences in wording and focus curious.

I've said this before: The Blue Hammer is a blend of urethane and resin. No true "full-blooded" urethane, in my experience, gets thru the heads this easily nor does a true urethane adjust this easily to abrasives. Yet its backend is about 80% urethane and 20% resin.  It is a step down in oil handling than the weakest resins I have used and and tried in the last 15 years, at least. It is even a full step down in oil handling and hook than my Blue/Green Centaur and that's saying a lot.

I think if Hammer had advertised it as being "true urethane" they could have bene sued for false advertising.

That said, Gene, I suspect someone with your ball speed might never be able to take advantage of such a weak ball or let's just say you will have darn few times in your tournament career for a chance to use one properly. It better used by low speed, higher rev bowlers like myself and Jay.

I think you're right, Charlest. My biggest issue with the weaker pieces is getting them to slow down enough. I finally like what I'm seeing out of my Fanatic BTU at 500 grit, but even that still likes to flip like a banshee when/if it sees friction too soon.

I'm really enjoying my blue hammer at 5K. The most consistent ball in the bag which allows me to play in my comfort zone which is the track to outside area. Other balls in my bag pushes me left quickly, or I start the night inside the track. I've done well playing inside, but I'm not as comfortable as I am with straighter lines. Playing inside, or deep inside, is relatively new to me as my game developed over the last 2-3 years.

Anyway, since I like the blue hammer I thought about the Black Hammer. I was wondering if the black hammer can handle more oil than the blue.? I really don't need the black urethane, but I just like smooth rolling balls.

What 2 urethane balls do you like?

Can't wait for my Pitch Black to arrive for the reason you stated in your second sentence.  I tried to play inside and swing the ball out.  But if people want to cheese in my league with their 220 averages by play up 10, so can I.  And I can put a lot more revs and speed behind the ball too.  If people thought they saw it all, they will be shocked when they see 450-500 series go to 650+ next month.  Reactive resin doesn't work on today's conditions IMO (at least THS).