Quote from: tkkshop on December 31, 2016, 03:48:50 PM

You need to look in which covers last the longest. A study shows that after 20 games, the Radical balls shine up quicker (study was done by Radical) than their competition.  This means more surface adjustments to keep your desired reaction. Small things to keep in mind when purchasing oilers.

 
 
Interesting. Would you have a link to the study you're referencing?
 
To Dave's initial point, I've never seen an oiler that doesn't shine up to some degree when used on true heavy oil. I used my Guru Supreme for 6 straight games on 47' Chameleon in a Regional recently, and it didn't shine up to any unusual level. Certainly not any more than my Ebonite Pivot or Storm Marvel S would in similar use.
 
Anyway, link please, if available.

As you can see in the video, the Radical ball starts with the lowest overall grit and finished with the highest overall grit after 20 games. This tells everyone that you have to really maintain radical covers to keep its initial reaction. I wonder why a shot was not taped with each ball showing initial reactions? Possibly becuase of the overall loss of reaction that would have been noticed.

Scandal and No rules are the balls to get for oil..

 
What has been your personal experience with the Scandal? What volumes of oil have you had the most success?

I think this vid is better because it shows some different styles, although look how deep they are on THS, the last guy in the video is the reason why the manufacturers are making all these hook monsters
https://youtu.be/gvnorB4WN90

Currie is my hero! A true BOSS 

keep in mind, this a 42' high volume pattern and he has some decent ball speed
https://youtu.be/YEw5zAejKrk

I think this vid is better because it shows some different styles, although look how deep they are on THS, the last guy in the video is the reason why the manufacturers are making all these hook monsters
https://youtu.be/gvnorB4WN90

 
 
Video#1 used Stone Street, which is an easier Kegel recreational pattern. Video#2 is a fresh THS as you noted. The problem is, with those patterns, a competent bowler should be able to get similar results with almost medium strength ball. Recreational patterns make most balls look similar.
 
The true test of an oiler is how it reacts on a longer flatter pattern. How the ball reacts front to back, where you're looking for the ball to pick up optimally in the transition. My experience with the Scandal is that it doesn't react well on flatter conditions, regardless of what surface I try. When it exits the longer flat, it doesn't read the limited back end friction well. It's laboring to pick up when it should be reading the dry.
 
I've taken my Scandal up to 4000 and can play walled THS shots effectively. But that's not what I bought Hammer's premier oil ball for. I have at least 10 other balls I'd use first on a THS.
 
BTW, if you want to push a Hammer oil ball, look at the Rebel Solid. After watching a Hammer staffer throw lights out with one, I had my own drilled up last week. This ball exceeds all expectations. I've only thrown few games on a fresh THS, but it's one of those balls you know is winner. It provides more hook than 95% of bowlers will ever need. At it's price point, it should be one of the more discussed balls on the forum.

Longer heavier flat oil masks a lot of the difference in RA values. Despite the hype of hook monsters, nothing hooks in true oil, regardless of effective grit. You're looking for effective transition in the limited friction you have to work with front-to-back. All I'm saying is in my personal experience, I can effectively use the Gurus on the fresh, and also as the lane oil transitions throughout the block. They don't seem to be as impacted as my other oilers by cover absorption and RA value changes.
 
The message from the videos is that even after 20 games with no maintenance, the Gurus hooked more than the comparison balls. I think any reasonable bowler would be happy with the ending hook of the Gurus from game one.
 
In any case, whatever you throw, if you care about your equipment, especially heavy oil covers, you clean and touch up the surface after every serious use.
 
Look, I'm not a Radical staffer or amateur Radical homer. But I am a ball whore who throws different company balls with an open mind.  There are balls from Storm, Columbia and Hammer I could also sing the phrases of. As examples, the Storm Rocketship and the Columbia Swerve FX are exceptionally good at what they're designed for. I don't understand the chemistry, but the ongoing results (for me) have spoken for themselves.
 
For oilers, it's hard to find fault with the Gurus, and now the Mix. It's nothing to get defensive about.

LOL.....