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Author Topic: Black Widow Vs. Special Agent  (Read 2090 times)

Bar5003

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Black Widow Vs. Special Agent
« on: April 24, 2007, 07:32:36 AM »
Can anyone compare and contrast these two balls for me?

i have a Widow drilled up 5 x 4 MB (on VAL) x 1" above the midline

could i get away with having a special in the bag?  what layouts do you suggest and what would i see different between the Widow and the Special?

Thanks in advance!
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jorr19

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Re: Black Widow Vs. Special Agent
« Reply #1 on: April 24, 2007, 03:48:13 PM »
the special agent is stronger overall but they do roll very similar. i think the balls would overlap a bit. if you kept the special agent dull and drilled it to hook earlier i suppose they might be different enough to be usefully. the widow cover life has not been very good around here. you may want to wait till the widow dies and get a special agent to replace it. i personally feel the special agent is a more versatile ball. hope that is helpful and good luck bowling.
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wpzone

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Re: Black Widow Vs. Special Agent
« Reply #2 on: April 24, 2007, 06:26:32 PM »
I disagree, I have both and they are very different.  I have the widow drilled at 3 3/8 even with ring, cg stacked, MB about 1 1/2" right of the thumb, weight hole on PAP, OOB finish.  The SA is drilled with a 4 1/2" pin under, 3" cg, weight hole on PAP, OOB finish.  I get totally different looks with both balls.  The SA is much stronger, rolls earlier with a bigger back end.  The Widow is more of a drier lane ball when I need something that does not flip real hard.  I do agree that the SA is a much more versatile ball.
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jorr19

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Re: Black Widow Vs. Special Agent
« Reply #3 on: April 24, 2007, 11:33:29 PM »
when both have the same surface and layout they are similar. they both read the mids, i did not say they were the same. the only person i trust who has both agrees that they can be very similar. again this is only what i have seen. most mid to high average bowlers in our area do not like dull balls. if both are polished they are similar types of reactions. the special agent is stronger, but i dont feel they are different enough to warrent having both unless you are carrying a 5 plus ball arsenal or you are only bowling on pro anvilanes.
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pjr300

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Re: Black Widow Vs. Special Agent
« Reply #4 on: April 25, 2007, 07:05:11 AM »
quote:
I disagree, I have both and they are very different.  I have the widow drilled at 3 3/8 even with ring, cg stacked, MB about 1 1/2" right of the thumb, weight hole on PAP, OOB finish.  The SA is drilled with a 4 1/2" pin under, 3" cg, weight hole on PAP, OOB finish.  I get totally different looks with both balls.  The SA is much stronger, rolls earlier with a bigger back end.  The Widow is more of a drier lane ball when I need something that does not flip real hard.  I do agree that the SA is a much more versatile ball.



I have never hard the Widow referenced as a "drier lane ball." Might agrue with that one....
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pjr300
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wpzone

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Re: Black Widow Vs. Special Agent
« Reply #5 on: April 25, 2007, 05:38:41 PM »
Everyone has their own reads on balls based off of THEIR game.  These two balls are not even close in reaction for me.  I cannot use the BW on a fresh shot, I have to wait until it breaks down to pull this ball out.  Maybe they are close for you and you can you the BW on med-heavy oil, great, but this is not the read that I get with my game, so dont tell me I am wrong.
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pjr300

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Re: Black Widow Vs. Special Agent
« Reply #6 on: April 25, 2007, 09:37:25 PM »

When people describe a dry lane ball, they talk about a Big Hit, and Ice, a Heat..... the BW is SOOO much bigger!  Maybe the layout on your widow or something about your game makes it go long... whatever you see, it's not normal.


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pjr300
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Xfest

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Re: Black Widow Vs. Special Agent
« Reply #7 on: April 25, 2007, 09:49:39 PM »
quote:
Everyone has their own reads on balls based off of THEIR game.  These two balls are not even close in reaction for me.  I cannot use the BW on a fresh shot, I have to wait until it breaks down to pull this ball out.  Maybe they are close for you and you can you the BW on med-heavy oil, great, but this is not the read that I get with my game, so dont tell me I am wrong.


When describing balls, most people forget about: Lane Surface, surface of the ball, layout, Lane pattern - (ft wise), how much oil is used for the lanes, etc.

I can see a Black Widow being used for Medium at the least, polished, as I had mine forever.
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pjr300

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Re: Black Widow Vs. Special Agent
« Reply #8 on: April 25, 2007, 10:11:58 PM »

Crank, I now see from the earlier post that he was 3 3/8 stacked with box finish. Not polished...


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pjr300
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wpzone

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Re: Black Widow Vs. Special Agent
« Reply #9 on: April 25, 2007, 11:06:52 PM »
I can use the BW on medium conditions playing up the boards, but I have other stuff that works better better for this.  The best look I have gotten with the Widow is OOB on a drier condition.  I have been bowling for 27 years and have purchased god knows how many balls. I know what drier lane equipment is, and as advertised this ball "should" not be one, but for me it is.  My T-Road Pearl with a weaker drill moves more than this thing and my Blue Pearl Hammer gets the same length (6" pin) with a bigger back end.  This is just one of those balls that doesnt match up real well with my game.  

One guy on my team who is a top level bowler, has the same read with his, when they break down then he pulls it out.  Another guy on the same team (hammer staffer)can use his (3 of them) on various patterns.  Everyone has their own style and reads can vary from person to person.

Anyway, to the OP, you asked for opinions from people who have both balls , so there is my opinion.  Sorry this got off topic about my so called incorrect read of a ball.  Maybe I need glasses, oh wait, I already wear them.
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