BallReviews

General Category => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: LuckyLefty on September 10, 2013, 02:19:38 PM

Title: Particle balls and todays bowling
Post by: LuckyLefty on September 10, 2013, 02:19:38 PM
Just used a couple over the past few weeks.

I realized how smooth and predictable these things were on the left!  I know the conditions are a lot different on the right but lately one of my centers has added more volume or length and these things are so smooth on the left and take out a lot of the wet dry effect!

I wonder if manufacturers are secretly using them and not telling us because of the lack of popularity!?  Especially on the right for tournament conditions.

Here are some posts out here I recently posted or posted in regarding some of my favorites....

http://www.ballreviews.com/track/track-spell-and-other-particles-for-lefties-t297508.0.html;msg2423943;topicseen#new

http://www.ballreviews.com/columbia-300/icon-nib-t297372.0.html;msg2423955;topicseen#new

Some of my particle favorites.
Icon 2
Track Spell
Reaction Roll
Pro Zone Violet
Jade Quantum
PrO Zone Azure sometimes!

I have often mentioned a series of league nights near 2000 where I watched a super lefty at the time post 3 super series with a Nighthawk SPT!  I could never make that thing sing but he sure could!

Regards,

Luckylefty
PS anybody out there wishing for more particles?  In addition if you are wishing for particles again are you lefty?
PPS isn't it funny!  I just took a look at the Nighthawk SPT and came to realize it looks like the Spell core in there, I believe the Spell had a lighter particle load!
http://123bowl.com/ball.cfm?ballid=258

Title: Re: Particle balls and todays bowling
Post by: Djarum on September 10, 2013, 03:23:29 PM
Personally, I've found particle balls to work better with older synthetics. They seem to tame down the backend reaction better than some of the newer stuff. I still have a Track Freak that I throw from time to time.
Title: Re: Particle balls and todays bowling
Post by: dougb on September 10, 2013, 04:17:16 PM
I am personally a big fan of particle pearls as for me they are impervious to carry down.

Here's a very interesting article on particles: http://wiki.bowlingchat.net/wiki/index.php?title=Ridenour_Mysteries_Of_Particle
Title: Re: Particle balls and todays bowling
Post by: Jesse James on September 10, 2013, 04:25:06 PM
I too love particle pearls. That's why I picked up the Defiant Edge.
Title: Re: Particle balls and todays bowling
Post by: JOE FALCO on September 10, 2013, 05:06:39 PM
I have a Blue Hammer Blade Particle that shocked me when I took it out of retirement! End of winter season I had a 289 with it ..
Title: Re: Particle balls and todays bowling
Post by: billdozer on September 10, 2013, 05:26:47 PM
The second dimension and the prodigy were some of my faves!  That cover really helped smooth out my reaction...
Title: Re: Particle balls and todays bowling
Post by: MI 2 AZ on September 10, 2013, 06:54:32 PM
LuckyLefty, here are some reference links from way back on this site:

http://www.ballreviews.com/miscellaneous/people-just-dont-get-particle-equipment-or-particles-101-t20852.0.html#new (http://www.ballreviews.com/miscellaneous/people-just-dont-get-particle-equipment-or-particles-101-t20852.0.html#new)

http://www.ballreviews.com/miscellaneous/more-about-particle-balls-t39385.0.html;msg65014;topicseen#msg65014 (http://www.ballreviews.com/miscellaneous/more-about-particle-balls-t39385.0.html;msg65014;topicseen#msg65014)

http://www.ballreviews.com/miscellaneous/repost-of-particles-101the-whole-thing-i-hope-t69969.0.html;msg207652;topicseen#msg207652 (http://www.ballreviews.com/miscellaneous/repost-of-particles-101the-whole-thing-i-hope-t69969.0.html;msg207652;topicseen#msg207652)

Title: Re: Particle balls and todays bowling
Post by: Coach Bonesaw on September 10, 2013, 07:19:26 PM
New particle piece by Lane #1: Crank.
Title: Re: Particle balls and todays bowling
Post by: St. Croix on September 10, 2013, 08:10:29 PM
LuckyLefty, I used the Columbia Power Surge---a particle ball released in 1999---for many years. It was an early revving ball with a pretty continuous arc through the backend and extremely predictable. With its neon purple coverstock, it also looked great going down the lane.

The Power Surge was a nice ball for its time.
Title: Re: Particle balls and todays bowling
Post by: kidlost2000 on September 10, 2013, 08:23:40 PM
Yes they are still being produced today. Some advertise them as that some do not. My favorite is the power groove particle pearl. Amazingly smooth even when drier. I'm lucky enough to have one undrilled and ready if needed.
Title: Re: Particle balls and todays bowling
Post by: Impending Doom on September 10, 2013, 08:48:28 PM
I still miss my fire hawk. Awesome particle pearl.
Title: Re: Particle balls and todays bowling
Post by: northface28 on September 10, 2013, 10:55:22 PM
Brunswick Ambush and Storm 2nd Dimension were great balls.
Title: Re: Particle balls and todays bowling
Post by: LuckyLefty on September 11, 2013, 12:02:31 AM
Do many of the posters think they are even more applicable to the left side than the right? 

Do the posters think solid particles are even more smoothing?

Regards,

Luckylefty
PS why do I feel that some of the Ts from Track are particles?
Title: Re: Particle balls and todays bowling
Post by: Armourboy on September 11, 2013, 06:30:26 AM
Interesting topic, while I know what Particle balls are, never really thought I had owned one so I was reading more or less just to see what everyone was saying.

So I read a few of the older articles and posts and it struck me that I had seen these types of reactions in myself about one ball in particular, my El Nino 2000. When I bought it way back when ( think it was the second ball I ever purchased) it used to drive me nuts. I had purchased it on " hook rating" ( yeah I didn't know much back then) and was never really impressed with it. It never reacted the way I expected it to, my old Blood Red Beast " hooked" more and I just chalked it up to being a bad ball ( or me not knowing how to throw it) and putting it in the closet.

Fast Forward to a few weeks ago and I decided what the heck, I'll pull it out and give it a try ( I think the thing literally has like 10 games on it). So I roll it down the lane and it hooks more than I remembered ( my release has changed since coming back) but I noticed something I hadn't payed much attention to before, the dang thing rolled up really early, was smooth and hit like a truck. My Eraser on the same condition would snap so hard on the dry I couldn't control it, or it would hit the wet and just skid to far and never recover.

Amazing what age and knowledge will show you. Now I kind of want to have my pitches changed to my new ones and throw  this thing ( have a hard time getting out of my old balls, always did, new pitches are so much better).
Title: Re: Particle balls and todays bowling
Post by: LuckyLefty on September 11, 2013, 07:47:32 AM
I find the solids even smoother than the pearls in the particle area but of course they are not as easy as the pearls through the heads! The El Nino 2000 is a good example of one of these smoother than regular pearl reactives Particle pearls!

One comment above that caught me a little off guard was the one about the Prodigy being a particle.(I have one laying around undrilled)  I thought it had Mica in the coverstock, much like my long beloved Crimson Red Sledgehammer(money ball).

Regards,

Luckylefty

Title: Re: Particle balls and todays bowling
Post by: dw23 on September 11, 2013, 09:35:55 AM
Lane-masters.com and lordfield.com are producing some great particle balls right now. Check them out.
Title: Re: Particle balls and todays bowling
Post by: avabob on September 11, 2013, 09:43:22 AM
I had great success with some of the particle Zones, particularly the Riot Zone, Deep Violet, and Shock Zone.  A lot of todays solids work as well.  Maybe they have some particle loads, I don't know.
Title: Re: Particle balls and todays bowling
Post by: LuckyLefty on September 11, 2013, 11:00:37 AM
Yes that Deep Violet!

Bring it back, loved it.  So many 279s!  Carried everything light!  But not as much flush but couldn't miss the pocket!

Same core in 2 other favorites, Battle Zone Bullet and Impact zone the same core!

Regards,

Luckylefty
Title: Re: Particle balls and todays bowling
Post by: 98custom on September 11, 2013, 12:57:30 PM
To add to what dw23 said, the past few Lord Field releases have ALL been particle of various flavors. The great thing about the equipment they're putting out is the different reactions they've been able to achieve by matching different particle loads, pearl additives and cores.
Title: Re: Particle balls and todays bowling
Post by: charlest on September 11, 2013, 02:05:03 PM
I find the solids even smoother than the pearls in the particle area but of course they are not as easy as the pearls through the heads! The El Nino 2000 is a good example of one of these smoother than regular pearl reactives Particle pearls!

One comment above that caught me a little off guard was the one about the Prodigy being a particle.(I have one laying around undrilled)  I thought it had Mica in the coverstock, much like my long beloved Crimson Red Sledgehammer(money ball).

Regards,
Luckylefty

This has been mentioned  in BR.com a few times, but Storm has used large pieces of mica as a form of particles to provide more traction in many balls, from the Hot series to stronger balls, like the Prodigy. When sanding such balls, it is often better to use Scotch-Brite pads to sand them rather than Abralon, sandpaper, Siaair or NEAT pads.
Title: Re: Particle balls and todays bowling
Post by: charlest on September 11, 2013, 02:12:10 PM
Do many of the posters think they are even more applicable to the left side than the right? 

Do the posters think solid particles are even more smoothing?

Regards,

Luckylefty
PS why do I feel that some of the Ts from Track are particles?

If you see more wet/drys on the left side than the righties do, (especially with your high degree of rotation), a particle ball that handles lighter oil like the old Riot Zone or the new Lord Field Off the Chain (http://bowlingballexchange.com/showthread.php?t=55728 (http://bowlingballexchange.com/showthread.php?t=55728) and http://www.lordfield.com/en/products/offthechain_ball_view.php (http://www.lordfield.com/en/products/offthechain_ball_view.php); it does come polished) could be very beneficial to you.
Title: Re: Particle balls and todays bowling
Post by: avabob on September 11, 2013, 03:10:00 PM
Had my best week ever in Syracuse in 99 with and Impact Zone, and Deep Violet.  Used the Deep Violet to finish second in the BJ singles, and used the Impact Zone to finish 6th in the Masters.  I had a 2x2 drilling on the Impact Zone.  Same layout that worked for me with a Danger Zone in an earlier Masters.
Title: Re: Particle balls and todays bowling
Post by: strikeshow on September 11, 2013, 06:36:40 PM
The particle pearl names being thrown out there were mostly awesome. Topping my list were the Brunswick Sidewinder, Brunswick Raging Inferno, and Brunswick BVP Ambush.

Sad thing about those products was that they weren't creating ball motions that were very "sexy." It won't sell if they're not sexy.

Sorry to all of the real bowlers out there who want a REAL good ball motion.
Title: Re: Particle balls and todays bowling
Post by: avabob on September 11, 2013, 07:30:14 PM
One negative about particles that was true then, and still true.  The effective life of those balls was a lot shorter.  Even with meticulous maintenance it took both resin the particles to give them the reaction needed.
Title: Re: Particle balls and todays bowling
Post by: charlest on September 11, 2013, 07:59:12 PM
One negative about particles that was true then, and still true.  The effective life of those balls was a lot shorter.  Even with meticulous maintenance it took both resin the particles to give them the reaction needed.

I never saw that, especially with the original Lane Master particles. In fact, they took less maintenance than plain resin balls. I now have a couple of Lord Field particles and although I can't yet say it positively, I am leaning towards the same attitude as I had with the original Lane Masters balls.
Title: Re: Particle balls and todays bowling
Post by: LuckyLefty on September 11, 2013, 09:13:43 PM
Great comments.  I have an Awesome Revs I like a great deal!

On my home house  pattern the Spell is not so bad due to higher RG and middle differential combined with its particles.
The particles get the ball to slow down turn and hit!

I think that is a good thing!  At least on a sparky top hat!

Thanks,

Luckylefty
Title: Re: Particle balls and todays bowling
Post by: ambi1 on September 13, 2013, 02:02:44 AM
particle still works for me. did an inventory and realize I had a complete arsenal;

V2 dry
Track Mutant
Predator jungle green - nib still deciding how to drill it.
Apex intensity
Apex obssession

Another one escapes my recall for the moment
Title: Re: Particle balls and todays bowling
Post by: scrub49 on September 13, 2013, 09:08:10 AM
Predator jungle green is awesome had my highest series with one 279-278-279 836.
Title: Re: Particle balls and todays bowling
Post by: iowalefty on September 14, 2013, 01:28:51 PM
I have an El Nino 2000 that I can still use, if only it were 15#.  Still strong downlane, had to get inside my Cell to hit the pocket. If I get a chance to bowl on any flatter patterns, it will be with me- on 40 ft flat, I was able to play a nifty 15-8 line with it, when the Cell was straight down 10 with slower speed and no real back end move. Also have the Reaction Roll, for floods, at 600 grit. I have buried somewhere a Deep Violet Zone as well. Last I threw those 2 balls, both were smooth.
Title: Re: Particle balls and todays bowling
Post by: Juggernaut on September 14, 2013, 02:25:03 PM
 Best two particle balls I ever used were the Track Mutant and the Brunswick Impulse Zone.

 Both of these balls were smooth as butter for me (yes, even the assymetric Impulse Zone), very predictable, and the carry was SO good.
Title: Re: Particle balls and todays bowling
Post by: bacon22 on September 14, 2013, 03:57:38 PM
Right after reading this yesterday I stumbled upon a garage sale and picked up 2 balls for 7 bucks.  one being a Brunswick Fury which I always wanted to try and the other being a Track TKO Contender.  both look lightly used and I am excited to try out that Track now.

Anyone have experience with the Contender?
Title: Re: Particle balls and todays bowling
Post by: tmoore300 on September 15, 2013, 02:11:25 AM
Ever wanted to try a Lord Field ball? We still use particle.
Title: Re: Particle balls and todays bowling
Post by: LuckyLefty on September 15, 2013, 01:28:58 PM
I think we just had a guy in our house last week redrill a Contender and have a very strong mid 7.

If memory serves me right it is a pretty heavy load particle, he is a high speed lefty with near rocket speed.

For me as a softer speed lefty it was usually a little too much bite!

REgards,

Luckylefty
PS Terry, thanks for the reference to Lord Field.  I'll get familiar with the line.
Title: Re: Particle balls and todays bowling
Post by: tmoore300 on September 15, 2013, 02:34:20 PM
Refer to my videos in The Lord Field ball reviews
Title: Re: Particle balls and todays bowling
Post by: kidlost2000 on September 15, 2013, 07:13:17 PM
Just remembered I had another ball in the closet that had particle. This one will be going on ebay this week.

Classic 15lb ABS Nano

(https://www.ballreviews.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi250.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fgg252%2Fsoundcontrol%2F20130915_184612.jpg&hash=57ec4095f8cbf260b866902a62b30c138c8d2116) (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/soundcontrol/media/20130915_184612.jpg.html)

(https://www.ballreviews.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi250.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fgg252%2Fsoundcontrol%2F20130915_184627.jpg&hash=af4b4917c9fac0b6b6ac70c41661e7d3fe1f63c0) (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/soundcontrol/media/20130915_184627.jpg.html)

(https://www.ballreviews.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi250.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fgg252%2Fsoundcontrol%2F20130915_184641.jpg&hash=e4211e6f1fcdf2571048e5204762742f51700743) (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/soundcontrol/media/20130915_184641.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Particle balls and todays bowling
Post by: kidlost2000 on September 16, 2013, 02:21:52 AM
It is now property of MI 2 AZ