Author Topic: Owning balls with one manufacturer vs. multiple manufacturers (Read 2442 times)

On Fire · « **on:** November 06, 2011, 01:31:24 AM »

Just a fun and interesting topic that wanted to bring up. I see alot of bowlers in my area that are committed to just owning balls with one company (which is usually Hammer or Storm). And many say that they prefer to keep it with that one manufacturer is because they match up better with, for example, Hammer instead of Ebonite. Others say that it's too confusing to have 6 balls from 4 different companies in their bag. I'm one of those bowlers that like to explore my options with multiple companies and find a ball that best match my style based on ball numbers and coverstock. So how do you shop for your arsenal?

TamerBowling · « **Reply #1 on:** November 07, 2011, 05:36:44 PM »

I'll let notclay respond with his opinion since you addressed him.

My 2 cents is that after about 100 games, there's no reason to expect that a ball will still have the same reaction it had when it was 20 or less games in age. At the end, the Ra (surface roughness in peaks) will be reduced over time and you can never get that back. Of course, you can care for a ball and that will prolong life. Prolonging life implies temporary, not forever. I have a V2 which probably has 500 or more games on it. I love it's reaction because the cover is dead. The Ra is about as low as it's going to get so there are no surprises from the ball reaction. For a new ball, the Ra will be reduced over time whether you like it or not, regardless of how much care is taken with maintenance.

As to using different mfgs vs using one, I've had periods of time where much of my arsenal may have been from one mfg, but never exclusively.

Right now, I'm keeping a Storm VG Nano, 900 Global Favorite, Ebonite Gamebreaker, Columbia Freeze, Hammer Midnight Vibe and Storm natural in my bag. I have a new HyRoad, Marvel Pearl, Critical Theory because I got into a bit of Storm preference for a while. However, they are not working for me in my current house so they stay home.

I guess if you feel comfortable understanding bowling ball cover and core characteristics (or trust your pro shop operator with that), then you can pick any ball manufacturer. Say you want a ball that covers heavier conditions and want a strong motion at the breakpoint, the Critical Theory has that ball reaction. Whereas if you prefer a smoother ball reaction at the breakpoint, you can go with the Nano. These are just examples that are a bit obvious, especially if you look at the core designs.

Steven wrote on 11/7/2011 11:57 AM:

The only ball I've ever owned that I've had to pronounce 'dead' is the Lane#1 Solid Uranium. The cover is supposed to be tried and true Brunswick Activator, but the ball went from monster to dud in less than 100 games. It didn't matter if it was resurfaced, bleed in the Rejuvenator, or given a hot water bath. The cover completely lost it's ability to absorb oil. A few shots and the ball would come back slimy. I bought a second one and it suffered the same fate. I have a third one (NIB waiting to be punched) and maybe that one will break the cycle. I'll probably bath the next one every 10 games to see if that makes any difference.

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MI 2 AZ · « **Reply #2 on:** November 08, 2011, 06:27:35 PM »

My two cents reflects the opposite side of those coins. I have a Blue Warlock that easily has over 500 games on it and still hooks quite well. I can't say if it hooks as much as new because the oil patterns I bowl on are not the same as when the ball was new, plus I don't have the same release/skill as I did ten years ago. I do use the hot water method and use a spinner to keep the surface at what I desire and the Blue Warlock is far from dead. I have other balls that have over 200 games on them that still hook well also. If I can get a ball to last 500+ games and ten years, that's temporary enough for me.

A couple of years ago, I decided to replace one of my favorite Storm balls that was getting badly chipped up with an identical new ball. I found one with the same pin out distance (not sure if the top or total weight was the same) and had it drilled to match the layout on the older one. Putting both balls at the same surface as best I could with the spinner, the older ball with over 200 games far outhooks the newer one, which is a shame because I like the reaction of the older one on the longer patterns and wanted to duplicate it. Maybe that shows that balls from different batches may react differently?

I use balls from many manufacturers but I find that I do have some companies that I prefer over others. I like to try balls from small new companies to see what they offer.

TamerBowling wrote on 11/7/2011 6:36 PM:

My 2 cents is that after about 100 games, there's no reason to expect that a ball will still have the same reaction it had when it was 20 or less games in age. At the end, the Ra (surface roughness in peaks) will be reduced over time and you can never get that back. Of course, you can care for a ball and that will prolong life. Prolonging life implies temporary, not forever. I have a V2 which probably has 500 or more games on it. I love it's reaction because the cover is dead. The Ra is about as low as it's going to get so there are no surprises from the ball reaction. For a new ball, the Ra will be reduced over time whether you like it or not, regardless of how much care is taken with maintenance.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
www.tamerbowling.com">www.TamerBowling.com
Everything Bowling, coaching tips, ball reviews, General bowling discussions

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sheppy335 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 09, 2011, 11:40:10 AM »

To me it is a personal preference. no right answer.

Oil is served Best with fingers!

Why does the 8 Pin laugh at me!

Sheppy

Author Topic: Owning balls with one manufacturer vs. multiple manufacturers (Read 2442 times)

On Fire

Owning balls with one manufacturer vs. multiple manufacturers

TamerBowling

Re: Owning balls with one manufacturer vs. multiple manufacturers

MI 2 AZ

Re: Owning balls with one manufacturer vs. multiple manufacturers

sheppy335

Re: Owning balls with one manufacturer vs. multiple manufacturers