Initial review of the SURE FIRE after first use by Storm staffer Jeff Richgels.
Anyone who likes the Fire line of balls is going to like the SURE FIRE, which puts the R2S hybrid cover on the SPIT FIRE core. The box finish is 4,000 Abralon.
I drilled my SURE FIRE with the pin in my ring finger hole about 75 degrees, with a small weight hole 5 1/8 inches right on my grip center line. Drilling out the pin typically provides a more even roll in a ball.
I tried it today on a fresh house pattern at a center that uses a VERY thin oil so it is a very hooking condition for a fresh pattern with a concentration in the middle.
I took along my SPIT FIRE and DIABLO for comparison. Both are drilled pin over the bridge about 75 degrees. The SPIT is shiny. The DIABLO is 2,000 Abralon with some oil soak.
The SURE FIRE was stronger in the midlane and with a more even arc than the SPIT or DIABLO, which is logical considering the stronger coverstock. I had no problem stringing strikes once I got into the oil and let it go a little to the right. It was VERY heavy rolling through the pins, whereas the SPIT and DIABLO tend to scatter the pins more, giving more action but also more ringing 10s and solid 9s. However, if I really let the SURE FIRE go far right to the dry it would roll back for a weak 10.
The R2S covers have been very tweakable so I anticipate being able to dull it up or shine it up as necessary.
The strong but controlled move should work very well on some of the tougher PBA conditions where a sharper move like the SPECIAL or SHIFT does not work so well. I think it also will work great on fresh house conditions with very dry back-ends.
I will post more information after I am able to use the SURE FIRE on more conditions.
Edited on 8/27/2007 7:06 PM