This may be overly simplistic, but I choose which equipment to use (or not use) by trying it out.  Opinions of the ball companies are best left out of the decision making process when trying to find a ball that does what you want it to do.

Even having said that, I'm human just like (most of) the rest of us and have formed general "feelings" about different ball companies.  However, I can't stress enough that the any feeling I may or may not have about a ball company stems completely from the performance of the balls I've tried from that company.

"Ball Days", "Demo Days", etc. are wonderful.  I wish ball companies would do them more often.  I wish they would take Sawbones' example from another post: at the ball days, make all the balls black with no labels so you are forced to choose the ball based on performance only.
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(c) Copied Right! 2003 Knarly Stuff Inc.

Well, I can tell you why I don't use some equipment.
Some of the companies (MoRich, Lane #1, Visionary, AMF) did not pay to  register with the PWBA the last couple of years. I don't want to get into why they made that decision - but - I do know that I've not bought equipment from them because of that. I'd hate to fall in love with a ball only to risk disqualification if I forgot and pulled it out in a regional or national event.

I don't use Hammer or Ebonite. Although I've looked at some of their offerings with interest, when I'm looking there's always something I like more that comes around.

I have primarily Brunswick equipment. But out of that stuff are two really old balls, and several that I happened on at an unbeatable price.

In the main bag, I have a columbia reaction rev, a storm X-Factor Deuce, and a Brunswick Inferno. So I can't say I'm die hard with any one company.

However, in several tournaments the last year, I've heard myself say that I can get into trouble with any manufacturer's equipment, but if I need to get out of trouble, I can always rely on Brunswick.

So, if I had my choice of staff to be on (yeah, right), I'd probably go Brunswick.

I’m a recent Brunswick convert. I was a hammer head until I quit bowling back in ’94. All urethane ‘cept the Navy Blue Reactive. When I started bowling again in 98, I tried a few balls from various companies, then settled with Columbia. The Arc, Game, Wow, Wickeds, Spirit, Rip, Pearl Boss, Icon, Icon2 & Icon300, Throttle, Spirit II, various Beasts and Scouts, and lots of other stuff passed through my hands. I also threw a few Tracks, Faball, Hammonite, and a couple of Storm balls. After winning an Inferno, I was intrigued, and tried a few others from the Big-B line, and now I’m hooked. Two things impress me – nothing has cracked – and I can believe the rating system. I had too many surprises from Columbia. Nothing worse than drilling up a ball and discovering that it’s not doing what the numbers led you to believe it would do. So far, everything I’ve drilled (with the exception of the Blazing Inferno) has done exactly what I expected it to do. Their products have a proven track record for durability. Although I love to buy and test bowling balls, I’m going to stick with the Big-B line for a while. I’ll let BTM test all the others.

Currently I primarily use Track, for several reasons. GREAT, unmatched (in my experiences) customer service, and inquiries. New technology in the equipment starting with the Freak, and continued on through the Phenom Unleashed. Their mid price stuff is awesome, and out performs many of the other companies highend equipment.

I also like some of the smaller companies, like dynothane, and roto grip. They seem to back their equipment better, and can off some very good input on the ballreviews site.

I started with the bigger companies, but then opted for the little ones.

Companies like AZO, Lane 1, Visionary, and even Morich put their hearts and souls into their designs and it shows at least for me on the lanes.  These guys have something to prove to the industry and this is why I stick with them.


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Would you give everything up, just to do it all over again?

Pin_Krusher IS a serious threat to modern day bowling wood as we know it today.