Author Topic: Bowling with older stuff (Or, how long does good stuff last?) (Read 15788 times)

Juggernaut · « **on:** May 06, 2015, 10:38:32 AM »

Been bowling for quite a while now (since the late 70's/early 80's), and I've seen bowling go through all the changes. From the time rubber balls and wooden lanes were still popular, to the modern days of reactive resin and synthetic lanes.

"Back in the day", bowling balls used to last practically forever. Just clean it once in a while, and you were set for decades of fun.

My, how things change, which brings me to my question.

I used to buy LOTS of new balls. It wasn't unusual for me to have several of the same balls, with differing surfaces and drillings. At one point, I carried about 10-15 different urethane Hammers to tournaments with me.

But, I've gotten older, and have slowed WAY down. I don't really bowl many/any tournaments anymore, and my work schedule only allows for one league a week, so my question is, "How long can I realistically expect a good, modern ball to last?

The stuff I'm using now is from 2007/2008. I clean them like clockwork every time I bowl, and they seem to be doing just fine. Is this really possible, or am I just kidding myself?

Also, out of curiosity, how long is the shelf-life of a NIB reactive ball? I've got one in the closet from 1993..................

avabob · « **Reply #16 on:** May 08, 2015, 11:07:04 AM »

Bruns Fury was a ball that was hyped as a super strong piece of equipment. However it quickly morphed into a very pedestrian piece of equipment. Not bad on a house shot, but couldn't handle the heavy flatter patterns that I purchased it for.

milorafferty · « **Reply #17 on:** May 08, 2015, 11:59:35 AM »

Quote from: avabob on May 08, 2015, 11:07:04 AM

Bruns Fury was a ball that was hyped as a super strong piece of equipment. However it quickly morphed into a very pedestrian piece of equipment. Not bad on a house shot, but couldn't handle the heavy flatter patterns that I purchased it for.

I had one of them. It could handle the heaviest oil...for about 5 frames. I could clean it with a strong cleaner like Lane Masters and it would be right back to being an oil monster, for about 5 frames. It became "oil shined" faster than any ball I have seen. If you used it in shadow, forget it, by the first or second frame it was done on heavy oil until you cleaned it. It did OK on medium oil after becoming shined though.

You could put it a ball oven after maybe 30 games and oil would pour out of the ball. It was way too maintenance intensive to be practical.

txbowler · « **Reply #18 on:** May 08, 2015, 01:27:53 PM »

I still have balls from the 90's, and 00's that work just fine and I use them regularly. But I am the exception to a lot of rules because I refused to re-learn how to bowl and continue to hit up on the ball a lot. So the more aggressive modern coverstocks are just too much for me personally. But the older stuff works just fine because I can create angle and reaction with my hand.

But as far as the ball itself, they probably have 1000's of games on them. They get de-oiled and resurfaced on a yearly basis and work just fine year after year.

EL3MCNEIL · « **Reply #19 on:** May 08, 2015, 01:36:17 PM »

I believe that if the balls are properly maintained they can last as long as they haven't cracked. I still use my Total NV from time to time when I want a different look. A lot of my other balls have cracked over the years in my garage or storage. If they haven't I would probably still use them as well.

Juggernaut · « **Reply #20 on:** May 09, 2015, 01:22:27 AM »

Quote from: milorafferty on May 08, 2015, 11:59:35 AM

I had one of them. (FURY)
It became "oil shined" faster than any ball I have seen. If you used it in shadow, forget it, by the first or second frame it was done on heavy oil until you cleaned it. It did OK on medium oil after becoming shined though.

Funny you say it this way. I bought it from a guy who had put 3-4 games on it, and complained it was already dying on him. I got it cheap, cleaned it good, and never used it on anything more than a THS. I don't think it has ever been resurfaced, just cleaned good and scuffed with a green scotchbrite every once in a while.

Quote from: txbowler on May 08, 2015, 01:27:53 PM

I am the exception to a lot of rules because I refused to re-learn how to bowl and continue to hit up on the ball a lot. So the more aggressive modern coverstocks are just too much for me personally. But the older stuff works just fine because I can create angle and reaction with my hand.

Man, you sound so much like me that it isn't even funny. I was in that same position, and state of mind as well, until I got to the point I was only bowling three games a week. Not bowling much, plus my now 54 years of age, have conspired to weaken my release to the point I would no longer be considered even close to the cranker I once was. Still pretty accurate, but little more than a stroker now.

I can still do it, but it is no longer the "natural feel" that it once was, and for that style to be consistent, it has to feel "right", and you have to be sharp. It no longer does, and I no longer am. 😩 😕

DP3 · « **Reply #21 on:** May 09, 2015, 01:31:59 AM »

Too many people concentrate on reaction on the fresh. You make your money through transition and a lot of times the strong ball from 6-7 years ago is the ticket.

avabob · « **Reply #22 on:** May 10, 2015, 12:03:37 PM »

Strongest balls I carry in my bag are Black Widow Legend, and Marvel Pearl. I only use the legend on very long patterns or occasional house shots. Tamer ( older ) stuff usually works better on house shots. Note how the trend for all manufacturers is to tamer straighter stuff like Tropical Breeze, Freeze, Arson Low Flare and Ride. Lots of other examples I am leaving out, but those are a few I am most familiar with

EL3MCNEIL · « **Reply #23 on:** May 10, 2015, 05:33:31 PM »

Quote from: avabob on May 10, 2015, 12:03:37 PM

Strongest balls I carry in my bag are Black Widow Legend, and Marvel Pearl. I only use the legend on very long patterns or occasional house shots. Tamer ( older ) stuff usually works better on house shots. Note how the trend for all manufacturers is to tamer straighter stuff like Tropical Breeze, Freeze, Arson Low Flare and Ride. Lots of other examples I am leaving out, but those are a few I am most familiar with

As some people I've heard say, the "Big Hook" sells balls but "control" wins the money.

kidlost2000 · « **Reply #24 on:** May 10, 2015, 07:29:28 PM »

As mentioned before technology for covers hasn't changed much since proactive bowling balls. Understanding of ball surface and surface finishes however have obviously changed. Any ball, especially more recent balls will last a lot longer then people give credit if the ball is maintained.

We have learned thanks to technology how quickly a bowling balls surface can change to some degree just over three games. This along with the occasional de-oiling of bowling balls will make a huge difference in the long lasting and continued desired reaction of a bowling ball.

After making my own bowling ball oven I have been amazed by some of the bowling balls that absorb oil and some that do not. I have seen some high performance bowling balls never bleed a drop, and some that bleed a lot. I have also seen the same from lower performance balls. Most lower performance/entry level type balls require much less maintenance. Typically they are polished, and they typically do not soak up much or any oil.

The balls you have listed I think will have no issues if you continue to keep them clean, pay attention to surface you wish to keep, and occasionally have them de-oiled. Most people prefer to just go on to the next these days because they want to buy the hype instead of doing some simple maintenance.

northface28 · « **Reply #25 on:** May 10, 2015, 07:56:28 PM »

Quote from: kidlost2000 on May 10, 2015, 07:29:28 PM

As mentioned before technology for covers hasn't changed much since proactive bowling balls. Understanding of ball surface and surface finishes however have obviously changed. Any ball, especially more recent balls will last a lot longer then people give credit if the ball is maintained.

We have learned thanks to technology how quickly a bowling balls surface can change to some degree just over three games. This along with the occasional de-oiling of bowling balls will make a huge difference in the long lasting and continued desired reaction of a bowling ball.

After making my own bowling ball oven I have been amazed by some of the bowling balls that absorb oil and some that do not. I have seen some high performance bowling balls never bleed a drop, and some that bleed a lot. I have also seen the same from lower performance balls. Most lower performance/entry level type balls require much less maintenance. Typically they are polished, and they typically do not soak up much or any oil.

The balls you have listed I think will have no issues if you continue to keep them clean, pay attention to surface you wish to keep, and occasionally have them de-oiled. Most people prefer to just go on to the next these days because they want to buy the hype instead of doing some simple maintenance.

Not always, some guys just simply enjoy buying new balls. Older, wealthy, retired guy I know buys 2-3 balls a week. Its his hobby.

kidlost2000 · « **Reply #26 on:** May 10, 2015, 08:16:08 PM »

True, ive bought a lot and learned a lot from it. Mainly how little difference there is lol. Its hard to convince people sometimes how big the payoff can be on surface and maintenance when buying something new is the sexier choice.

Author Topic: Bowling with older stuff (Or, how long does good stuff last?) (Read 15788 times)

Juggernaut

Bowling with older stuff (Or, how long does good stuff last?)

avabob

Re: Bowling with older stuff (Or, how long does good stuff last?)

milorafferty

Re: Bowling with older stuff (Or, how long does good stuff last?)

txbowler

Re: Bowling with older stuff (Or, how long does good stuff last?)

EL3MCNEIL

Re: Bowling with older stuff (Or, how long does good stuff last?)

Juggernaut

Re: Bowling with older stuff (Or, how long does good stuff last?)

DP3

Re: Bowling with older stuff (Or, how long does good stuff last?)

avabob

Re: Bowling with older stuff (Or, how long does good stuff last?)

EL3MCNEIL

Re: Bowling with older stuff (Or, how long does good stuff last?)

kidlost2000

Re: Bowling with older stuff (Or, how long does good stuff last?)

northface28

Re: Bowling with older stuff (Or, how long does good stuff last?)

kidlost2000

Re: Bowling with older stuff (Or, how long does good stuff last?)