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Author Topic: Black Grenade  (Read 4180 times)

Klugh

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Black Grenade
« on: March 26, 2005, 03:07:46 PM »
I recently found a Black Grenade sitting in a garage. Seeing as it was a family member's garage, and they don't bowl, I picked the ball up and brought it home. This ball was dirty (there was gunk (sand or something like that) in the finger holes and thumb hole), so my friend and I cleaned it up a bit, and then I proceeded to use it for 3 games. The ball span was slightly to long for me, the thumb hole was to large, and it appeared to still have the first inserts used with it in the fingers. However, putting all of this out of mind, I proceeded to bowl not a great series, but one that was fairly decent (530). This wasn't a fresh shot, but the ball seemed to carry well, and looked as though it could hold its own some fairly decent oil. My friend, who has quite a few revs, couldn't even keep it on the lane. If anyone is still using one, or has used one, I'd appreciate your input on the ball. Thanks.
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BowlingDude300

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Re: Black Grenade
« Reply #1 on: March 26, 2005, 11:10:13 PM »
Man was this ball dirty!!! I stuck my finger in the slumb and it was slimy

But, the ball seemed to be able to still knock down some pins. I would bet it could still work on atleast a good medium if not med/hvy.


I'd also like to hear if anyone else is still throwing one or used to throw one....


Kyle
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Edited on 3/27/2005 0:06 AM

Klugh

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Re: Black Grenade
« Reply #2 on: March 26, 2005, 11:38:18 PM »
TTT -- I'm interested in whether or not it would be worth it to have the ball plugged and redrilled, and perhaps resurfaced.
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cassielynn300

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Re: Black Grenade
« Reply #3 on: March 26, 2005, 11:42:24 PM »
Klugh, it probably would not be worth the redrilling, plugged, and resurfaced.. Because if you did those things to it, the price of those things would more than likely end up being more than what the ball is worth.

Klugh

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Re: Black Grenade
« Reply #4 on: March 26, 2005, 11:44:46 PM »
Especially since the ball is free, right Cassie?
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cassielynn300

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Re: Black Grenade
« Reply #5 on: March 26, 2005, 11:46:51 PM »
I just told you my input..do what you want!

BowlingDude300

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Re: Black Grenade
« Reply #6 on: March 26, 2005, 11:48:25 PM »
I vote for new inserts and span adjusted. Then if you still like the ball, I'd look into resurfacing it or possbily just sanding it.

Klugh- Don't forget, we could always use power tools
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Klugh

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Re: Black Grenade
« Reply #7 on: March 26, 2005, 11:49:17 PM »
Yeah . . . we still have a grinder head left, don't we?
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michelle

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Re: Black Grenade
« Reply #8 on: March 27, 2005, 06:00:45 AM »
The Grenade series (I believe there were three of them not counting the Grenade spare ball introduced a few years back) were all urethane offerings.  The black Grenade was a sanded urethane and was roughly on par (in my opinion) with the Black Hammer in terms of reaction and hitting power.  

It wouldn't be a bad ball to have on a house shot, especially as it got chopped up, but you would need to remember that it is much more of a drier lane ball in today's bowling world.  However, since most league environments have seemingly unlimited bump outside, it will still perform reasonably well in the league setting.  Since I believe more people would benefit from having urethane in the arsenal, I don't see that you could go wrong with the small sum that would go to the shop to change the span and clean it up...you might even be able to shift the thumb with a thumb slug as opposed to having to plug it.  

I've got a Gold that I was able to acquire NIB a few years back that comes out when the conditions start getting a little fried.  And when they get even toastier, there is always the UC-2 or the Roto RH to go to

Klugh

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Re: Black Grenade
« Reply #9 on: March 27, 2005, 09:34:51 AM »
TTT
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Klugh

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Re: Black Grenade
« Reply #10 on: March 27, 2005, 11:16:59 AM »
TTT
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michelle

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Re: Black Grenade
« Reply #11 on: March 27, 2005, 12:58:13 PM »
Klugh, I'm not sure what else you are looking for.  The Grenade series is roughly 15 years old, and you won't find many on the site that have experience with the older Roto Grip stuff.  Simply put, there wasn't much of it in the centers back then...even back then, they were a very small company who generally contracted out to have the equipment produced to their specs.  What we could do on the lanes with the Hammers, U-dots, Angles and the such 15-20 years ago pales in comparison to what we would see reaction-wise in this day and age...the equipment still serves its purpose, but its place at the table has changed over the years.  

I vaguely recall that I got a small discussion about the Grenade series when I was trying to generate some support for the current Roto Grip personnel to give thought to obtaining whatever licensing rights might be necessary to re-introduce the series.  It was and is a good weight block, and there is a niche market for urethane equipment.

strykalot

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Re: Black Grenade
« Reply #12 on: March 27, 2005, 02:15:31 PM »
I found a Black Grenade in a bowling center, it was on the house ball rack. It had never been plugged and was in good shape. The grip is close to mine. Yep, it's in my closet now. I was a huge fan of Roto Grip back in the 80's. I still have a polyester Roto from '72, an Outlaw and a Bandit II.
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Klugh

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Re: Black Grenade
« Reply #13 on: March 28, 2005, 07:32:35 PM »
Still looking for more feedback.
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Bowl. Eat. Sleep. Repeat.
Proud Co-Captain of the N.H.
If there is a NATION, there is always the chance of REVOLT!
A member of www.bowlinballexchange.com, www.ballreviews.com, and www.bowlingballreviews.com . . . Check out the others!