BallReviews

General Category => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: WildLefty on November 27, 2004, 02:32:20 PM

Title: The worst bowling ball company
Post by: WildLefty on November 27, 2004, 02:32:20 PM
What do you guys think is the worst ball company is. I belive it is Columbia or Ebonite(Hammer). Columbia has the worst pearl ball which is the messenger Ti. Then I belive Ebonite comes in second which has absolutely no good bowling balls. Hammer use to be a vary good company but now that they are owned by Ebonite I don't think they will have many good balls anymore.
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The power of Lefties is unbeatable.
Title: Re: The worst bowling ball company
Post by: icetink on November 27, 2004, 10:36:40 PM
Stating a company is bad - because a person has tried one ball that didn't match up to their game - isn't exactly right...

Unless a person has tried all or most of the balls of any company, only then can they judge if a company is really bad.  Even then, it may only be bad for them because the equipment doesn't match up to their style very well; it doesn't mean the company is a bad company.

I'm not in favour of this 'negative' topic...
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-Dino
Title: Re: The worst bowling ball company
Post by: WildLefty on November 27, 2004, 10:40:47 PM
You are right I only tried 3 columbia bowling balls(hated them all) and 1 Ebonite(so-so) and 2 hammers which I did like but then they got bought buy Ebonite that is why I though they would be bad now.
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The power of Lefties is unbeatable.
Title: Re: The worst bowling ball company
Post by: htotheizzo3561 on November 27, 2004, 10:43:57 PM
You cannot judge an entire company by throwing just one ball, in one of their lines.  Ebonite has the V2s which looks like great lower priced equipment.  Their high end stuff is average, but don't sell.  Columbia? If they are interchanging coverstocks with Track, which I'm sure they are, there good.  Plus, I find on occasion that the drilling is not conducive to my game, not the ball.
Title: Re: The worst bowling ball company
Post by: dirtbikebowler on November 27, 2004, 10:45:44 PM
i cant believe u said the messenger ti is a bad ball. Almost everyoen who has had oen likes it, and its STILL being made.

C300 has al these balls coming out and they are taking balls away, but this one stays in there line up.
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Tom Kelleys Pro Shop
Title: Re: The worst bowling ball company
Post by: WildLefty on November 27, 2004, 10:46:53 PM
I guess you are right I need to learn How to bowl better I only have a 198 average. To back up what you are saying. I never said I didn't like hammer I said know that they are owned by ebonite that they might not be so good. I love track and Storm yea they made bad balls but I still like them.
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The power of Lefties is unbeatable.
Title: Re: The worst bowling ball company
Post by: Ernie McCracken on November 27, 2004, 11:05:30 PM
The worst ball companies are the ones that aren't called Track!  Of course, that's just my opinion.
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Evolutionary.  Revolutionary.
Title: Re: The worst bowling ball company
Post by: Brickguy221 on November 28, 2004, 12:45:33 AM
Columbia is the worse company, hands down. I've owned 3 different Columbia balls and none worked for me. Apparently they don't seem to be working for Chris Barnes either....
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Retired and bowling on Fixed Income
Title: Re: The worst bowling ball company
Post by: Maelstrom on November 28, 2004, 12:56:20 AM
I don't think there is any bad company, it is really just a matter of what matches up with you. Of course there are flukes like the Trauma Response, or the infamous TEC death, but those are gone for the most part. But what some people have stated is that most companies now have something that stands out like the inferno, x factor, morpheus balls, or the diamond particle. Ebonite and columbia seem to be lacking at this moment, but this does NOT mean they are bad by any standard...
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"Contemplate the reason you exist..."

Formerly Maelstrom44, Maelstrom X, Maelstrom Zero, Maelstrom Axiom, Maelstrom Flux, Maelstrom Psi, Enigma, and Muon Ejector.
Title: Re: The worst bowling ball company
Post by: Track900 on November 28, 2004, 01:16:26 AM
Columbia balls havent been working for Chris Barnes?  I do not agree with this statement.  He has had extrememly bad luck in winning matches, but he is ninth on the tour average list with a 224.  He is not struggling to score.  He is struggling in winning matches, which has nothing to do with Columbia 300 equipment.
Title: Re: The worst bowling ball company
Post by: L o G on November 28, 2004, 02:37:27 AM
What ever company you don't like is the worst.  I have one friend that says Ebonites are boat ancors and another that only throws ebonite and they are both good bowlers.
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I can hear the voice
But I don't want to listen
Strap me down and tell me
I'll be alright
I can feel the subliminal need
To be one with the voice
And make everything alright
Title: Re: The worst bowling ball company
Post by: SrKegler on November 28, 2004, 03:12:50 AM
If there was any thing as a bad company, they sure wouldn't be in business very long.  

99% of the time when I've hard someone say a certain company "sucks", I've found they purchased the wrong ball/drilling/surface prep for the conditions they are bowling on.

I don't know how many times I've heard questions asked on here where someone "thought" they were bowling on oily conditions, bought the biggest hook monster they could find, then want to know how to tame it down.

For us novices here on this board I doubt if you would see any difference in average using comparable equipment from any company.
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~~~SrK - Have balls, will travel

Spending the kids inheritance one tournament at a time.
Title: Re: The worst bowling ball company
Post by: SrKegler on November 28, 2004, 06:08:11 AM
quote:
No such thing as bad balls but I never matched up with ebonite and look how good doug kent is and check the last time he won a tournament.nuff said.
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"To the well organized mind,Death is but the next great adventure."


Lets use Ebonite as an example.  You don't match up with them.  Does that mean they are bad balls?

Jeff Carter averaged 261 for a league season with Ebonite.  He would probably disagree with you.

If I recall correctly Mika shot a 300 on TV with Ebonite.  The list could go on and on using different manufacturers.

Granted Ebonite may not work for you, they do work for other people.  I use Lane 1, works for me, doesn't work for others.  Doesn't mean the balls are good or bad, just that they don't work for everyone.

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~~~SrK - Have balls, will travel

Spending the kids inheritance one tournament at a time.
Title: Re: The worst bowling ball company
Post by: laner7pin on November 28, 2004, 06:22:46 AM
I also agree, there is no bad ball company. If they were bad, they wouldnt be in business. Its all bowlers preference. If you have a bad experience with a ball, suddenly the entire company and all their balls suck. Not the case. I got the Apex when it first came out and liked it at first, but after about 30 games, I didnt know what it was going to do. Hook a ton one shot, skid 60 feet the next. Sold it and said I wont throw Ebonite again. Now a couple of years (and many many bowling balls) later, I pick up a V2 solid to try it out. I absolutely loved it. Put a ton of games on it, scored very well with it, kept it maintained and recently sold it for I have replaced it (That V2 was the original with Trimax label on the ball, not V2). I picked up a V2 Strong as well, but found that it doesnt match my game. Ebonite makes great equipment, Hammer for that matter too. The Viscous line is very angular and works on all conditions, the Blades are some of the best mid price balls on the market. Columbia is getting a bad rap for becoming the member of the ball of the week club, releasing "new" stuff what seems like every other week. The Bully looks good, hopefully that could be their answer to the Inferno line. The Wicked was my "A" ball for a long time, shot my 2nd 300 with it.
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NO SOUP FOR YOU!
Title: Re: The worst bowling ball company
Post by: Brickguy221 on November 28, 2004, 07:35:38 PM
quote:
Columbia balls havent been working for Chris Barnes? I do not agree with this statement. He has had extrememly bad luck in winning matches, but he is ninth on the tour average list with a 224. He is not struggling to score. He is struggling in winning matches, which has nothing to do with Columbia 300 equipment.  


Track900, if Barnes is struggling to win matches, he is struggling to score.
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Retired and bowling on Fixed Income


Edited on 11/28/2004 8:43 PM
Title: Re: The worst bowling ball company
Post by: baiki on November 28, 2004, 09:00:48 PM

There are no bad balls.


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baiki
"Faulty mechanics makes all balls bad."  Bill Hall, BTM Dec. '98
Title: Re: The worst bowling ball company
Post by: Brickguy221 on November 29, 2004, 01:30:44 AM
quote:
When your averaging over 220 for 4-5 tournaments, your not stuggling to score.
 

1. Columbia balls have never worked for me. Alot of people I bowl with have never had any luck with Columbia balls. Columbia has put out a number of bad balls the last few years. Especially the TEC balls and on from there. Hardley anyone around here buys Columbia balls because of bad luck with them in the past as well as present. My bad experiences as well as the others around where I live have had nothing but bad luck with Columbia balls. Some of it may be matchup, I don't know, but the bottom line is that as far as I am concerned, Columbia is the worse company.

2. As for Barnes, I will admit that I don't care much for him. As for him averaging 220 for 4-5 tournaments, there are several of the PBA bowlers averaging that and better so that isn't a big deal with todays high scoring conditions. Think about it, how long has it been since a Columbia ball won a tournament????

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Retired and bowling on Fixed Income
Title: Re: The worst bowling ball company
Post by: scotts33 on November 29, 2004, 05:58:12 AM
quote:
There are no bad balls.


I'll take it further baiki.  There are no bad balls just bad bowlers.  

Scott
Title: Re: The worst bowling ball company
Post by: sheppy335 on November 29, 2004, 06:31:22 AM
what you think stinks is what someone else will love so this is only an opinion.
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Oil is served Best with fingers!
Why does the 8 Pin laugh at me!

Sheppy
Title: Re: The worst bowling ball company
Post by: Phillip Marlowe on November 29, 2004, 09:16:28 AM
I am not certain there are bad companies, in so much as bad ball designs -- there are designs and tendencies that will or will not work for certain bowlers -- but there may be a quality control issue that is bothersome (maybe it is just my experiences).  I clearly have my favorites, but what I find troublesome is buying two or three of the same balls (two throttles or x-factors or killer instincts for example) and finding that the balls react differently, surprisingly so.  From my experience, and my experience only, the companies "consistency control" as I will call it, ranks as following (from best to ah not so hot):  

1. Brunswick.  Buy two Monster Frenzies, two Infernos, two Time Zones and get essentially the same ball and reaction with each. For me, clearly the most consistent manufacturer/maker, if not my favorite.  

2.  Lane One.  You can pretty well exchange one Lane One ball for any other of the same "name" -- and I write this despite the fact I personally don't like the reaction I have gotten in my game.

(I know there is no three.  There doesn't deserve to be a three)

4.  Dynothane.  I really like the stuff, but from one ball to the next...often not the same.  (Yeah, I know its Storm manufactured, but the Soaker covers are different from much of Storm's stuff and the non-soaker covers and cover core combinations make the equipment more consistent).

5.  Storm.  I have really like some of Storm's stuff, so I bought more than one...and found...different.

6.  Hammer.  Yeah, I know it is Ebonite, but for some reason, some of the stuff is more consistent -- one Blue Hammer is the same as the next or very close to it.  Others, not so hot.


7.  Ebonite.  I have not been able to get the same reaction from two of the same ball with the exception of the Savages, especially the Savage Flip.  It may be why I am not a particular fan.

8.  Track.  I have had a similar experience as with STorm, only moreso.  I really like a piece of Track equipment, buy multiples and get all sorts of reactions.  I think some of that is due to the factory cover polishes.

9.  Columbia.  I have absolutely loved some of the Columbia stuff I have thrown.  But from one Throttle to another...or messenger...or Wow... or....

Just my observations.  I assume some of you have different experiences.
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"I don't mind if you don't like my manners. I don't like them myself. They're pretty bad. I grieve over them on long winter evenings."
Title: Re: The worst bowling ball company
Post by: 9andaWiggle on November 29, 2004, 10:54:43 AM
Actually, they all suck - no ball I have ever thrown has done well for me.  I'm just waiting for the day one of these stupid manufacturers gets it right and creates a ball that will knock all 10 pins down every shot! We all know it can't be the bowler, it HAS to be the ball! LOL

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9~

Keep your balls on the lane and your mind in the gutter!
Title: Re: The worst bowling ball company
Post by: crankncrash on November 29, 2004, 11:07:43 AM
O man.. I can't believe you dissed the messenger Ti! That whole line up was nice stuff! Outside of that Columbia really does nothing for me.  I won't say its the worst company, but its the company I would be least likely to buy given any other option.