APK,

I don't post often, but something tells me that I should reply to your post.  I too own an XFactor Duece and my initial impressions of the ball was very similar to yours.  I bought my Duece new and initially kept it in its "out of box" condition.  The layout on my Duece is a 3.5 inch pin.  I used a 4&1/4 inch from PAP drilling.  The pin is located directly to the right of my ring finger at about a half inch.  The mass bias is in the strong position.  (The line from the pin to the CG to the MB reminds me of the "backslash key" or "\".  LOL!

The first time I bowled with the Duece I had a great night.  I averaged about 221 for about six games.  Needless to say, I was excited.  Slowly but surely, I learned the hard way that the Duece really likes to roll very early.  Regardless of hand position, my Duece would not react the way I thought it was supposed to.  My Duece would literally burn up and STOP hooking at about fifty feet.  And this was on fresh conditions and conditions with a little bit of carrydown.  At first I thought it may be the drilling.  Then I had to remind myself that I had success with the ball the first night.  On heavy oil the Duece would skate down the lane.  Totally frustating!  

Well as you can guess by now, things got worse with the Duece before they got better.  I started to lose confidence in what that ball could actually do.  Believe it or not, my Brunswick Inferno was outhooking the Duece.  Then I started to research and read reviews on how folks were complaining about how their Dueces would not react as well.  My own conclusion was even verified in my mind when Storm put out the XFactor "Reloaded".  The Duece officially became a P.O.S.  

Well, I was not satisfied.  I was not about to give up or sell a brand new ball.  I had noticed from many of the reviews that I read that folks were having success with the Duece AFTER they changed the box surface.  So, to make a long story short, that's what I did.  I recently had my Duece wet sanded down to 800 grit.  And now, it reacts better than when it came out of the box.  LOL!

I still think Storm messed up on the original Duece box surface.  That's why the Reloaded came out so fast.  (How can the Duece and Reloaded both be 1000 grit out of the box?...)  Go figure...  

Anyway, give the 800 grit wet sand a try.  (It will not be polished if done correctly.)  I think you'll start liking the way your Deuce reacts after that.  I sure did.  

Good Luck!

PEACE!  

Steven,

I would have to say it's my expectations of the Deuce that attribute to my experience so far.  With all the reviews I've read about the Deuce, it seems to be touted as a hook monster.....to put it plainly.

I only spoke to one person use throws the Deuce at a weekly BTH tourny I compete at that said the ball offers a continuous roll much like the one you stated.

The reaction I get is exactly what you and he mentioned it would be like.....like you said also is uncharacteristic of a reactive...much less a medium oil reactive.  Basically the read on the lanes surprised me from all the reports that it has a huge backend.

I do like it but word of mouth doesn't do any justice for this ball.  I guess this may be a case where this ball should be seen and not heard.
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In the old days people used to cut wood with axes.....................now and days...............they just have Executioners do it for them!

Pin_Krusher IS a serious threat to modern day bowling wood as we know it today.

APK,

I think the 800grit wet sand should work. However, you can do the sanding in a few different ways. First try to sand it in the direction of your track, that way the ball will not burn up, and this helps get a little more length. If that does not work, then sand it across the track, this will help it roll up sooner.

You should almost be able to get your desired reaction from coverstock adjustments. The drilling and layout are very important, but the coverstock usually determines the reaction you will get.

I know of many people that have not been happy with the X Factor line in gengeral. A friend of mine bought a duece and threw 5 games with it and it has been sitting in my pro shop since. He bought a Mutant a week later and got the reaction (not even so much reaction, but more carry and hit) that he wanted with the deuce. He is a Storm equipment guy so instead of trying the Mutant first he wanted the Deuce. He is just one example.

Goodluck with your test w/ 800 grit.

One comment - when referring to the Deuce "out of box" condition - when I bought mine in April, there were two markedly different box finishes on the market. One was kinda dull, and the other was definitely shiny. Hopefully Storm has rectified this situation, but it sure made for a lot of confusion!
I've tweaked the surface on my deuce several times looking for a stronger reaction - but reading all of this thread convinces me that the deuce isn't what it first seemed to be.
When I first got the ball it hooked. A lot. A lot more than all but one ball in the current arsenal. But, after I had it for a while, it quit reacting that way. Of course, I've gone to a more aggressive release, so maybe it's overpowering the surface - I need to talk more to my pro shop guy about that one. When I back off some on the release, the ball does seem to work better for me.
Nonetheless - I've ordered a hook again system. The deuce will be the first ball in the chamber.