Hey everyone,

  I've searched high and low but I've only found one particle ball (Granite Gargoyle) that I've ever liked in the least. I find that they always roll too early and offer absolutely NO recovery. Now I've read particle 101, and I know that you will never find a particle ball that will swing the lane, as that is not what they are designed to do. However, I'm looking for a ball for heavier conditions that, when thrown on said conditions, will offer at least some recovery. I'm not talking about 15 boards, but I'd like something that doesn't just quit. I'm willing to listen to any and all suggestions. I'm in no rush, as I don't really need this ball until the start of the season. Here are a few that I've seen and/or heard of being pretty good:

Phenom                               Sharp Blade
Phenom Unleashed          Vicious Strike
Animal                                   V2 Strong
Fear Factor                           V2 Particle
Raging Inferno                     Mayhem
Warp Zone                            Freak
Super Freak                          Mutant

  I'm willing to go away from that list. I just want to hear your thoughts on some of these, or any other ball that you think will fit into this void. Here is my current arsenal, so you'll know what I'm working with:

Heavy:  
Med-Heavy: Anomaly (Polished)
Carrydown: Diesel Particle Pearl
Mediums: Element
Mediums: The Thing
Medium Light: Thing Returns
Light: XXXL

   I think that I have an Element Au 79 coming, but that really doesn't fit the heavy range, so let me know your thoughts. Thanks for the help.

Gene J. Kanak

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Bowling is without a doubt the dumbest, most pointless, most idiotic excuse for a game that has ever been invented. So, what time are we bowling tomorrow?

the phenom is good, clean through the fronts and monster backend.  The animal can hook in oil big time nice arc.  The fear factor can handle oil as well.  Pretty nice arc with a little more backend than the animal.  I have a fear factor for sale if that is the one you choose.
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Ike Brownfield

I know what you're talking about Mumzie. Whenever I've had true flood ball they've sat in the bag collecting dust for months between games. I don't know if I'm looking for something for an oil spill, but I want something for truly heavy shots that will give me just a touch of recovery. The best that I've probably seen is the Mayhem. There's a guy around here who throws one, and that ball gets fairly angular. But I've never seen him throw it on heavy juice, so maybe it's too tame. I just don't know.
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Bowling is without a doubt the dumbest, most pointless, most idiotic excuse for a game that has ever been invented. So, what time are we bowling tomorrow?

Warp Zone.  It's *extremely* versatile, so if you go this route, you'll need to work with your ball driller to determine the proper layout and surface prep.

I have very slow ball speed and most particle balls will roll out for me, but the V2 strong just keeps movin'.  I don't even take it with me in summer months, as there tends to be less oil and carrydown where I bowl, but in fall league I bowl where there is heavy oil and carrydown, and I have finally found the ball that works there.  The V2 Strong.

Gene, did you ever try playing with the surface of your Granite?  I havent, but I remember some others saying that they had polished theirs.  Dont know if just bringing the surface to a higher grit ( it's factory finish is 320 sanded) would give you what you are looking for.
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I just want 2C was'zzub.
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I am the SGT Schultz of bowling.
"I know nothing!"

Blade Particle, high pin/top, dull surface... Get's down the lane nicely with a lot of pop on the backend... Sharp Blade has slightly less backend because of the absence of a flip block on the core I believe... same concept though...

Gene,

I wonder if you aren't using balls that are too strong for the oil patterns you're bowling on??? Those very strong balls do not have  alot of backend, with certain exceptions. Maybe you need to step down a bit to low load particles or add a slight bit of polish to the very strong balls.

ALso another thing you might try is to place the pin a little higher or like someone also already recommended, use a milder (4"x5") drilling on a strong ball. ALso realize that balls like the Fear Factor and SUper Carbide need a flood to even begin to work correctly.

If there isn't enough oil, they tend to grab too early. Maybe it isn't too early to make them useless, but just slightly too early to give you the recovery you seek. This is often a balancing act of the right surface for the right oil pattern for your release AND ball speed.


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"We get old too fast, and too late, smart."