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Author Topic: Black Widow Dark Legend Solid  (Read 13375 times)

BallReviews-scodaddy21

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Black Widow Dark Legend Solid
« on: August 24, 2016, 03:51:28 PM »
Ball NPS Score: 100.00
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Add this ball to Hammer's list of legendary bowling balls. The Hammer Black Widow Dark Legend Solid is the strongest ball in the Black Widow line to date. The Gas Mask core has proven time and again that it never quits. The Semtex solid reactive coverstock on this ball offers more friction than you have seen before which is only enhanced by the 500/2000 Abralon finish. This combination makes the ball strong and ready to conquer any amount of lane oil. This bowling ball is Carbon Fiber Infused! Carbon fiber is one of the toughest materials on earth. Hammer decided to add this material to the inner core of this ball for added strength and durability allowing them to offer an incredible 3 year warranty.

Color: Blue/Black All colors do vary somewhat from the picture shown.
Coverstock: Semtex Solid
Core: Gas Mask (includes Flex-Resin additive, Ceramix surface process, and Carbon-Fiber outer core)
Finish: 500/2000 Abralon
Reaction: Aggressive Overall Hook
RG: 2.50**
Differential: .058**
** RG and Diff are based off of 15 lb. balls
Hook Potential: High
Length: Medium
Recommended Lane Condition: Heavy Oil
FCC Rating: Total-27.5, Finish-9, Core-8.75, Cover-9.75
Manufacturer's Warranty: 3 year

 

StefanieN

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Re: Black Widow Dark Legend Solid
« Reply #1 on: August 26, 2016, 01:37:32 PM »

I have found most of my success with this ball to be on medium to shorter patterns.
This ball is SUPER clean and very predictable which is what I always strive for - I do not like to see my ball do anything crazy down lane (it normally doesn't though because I have a lower rev rate  :P)

If you are looking for a smooth reaction that reads the mid lane and continues, the Dark Legend Solid would be a good option for you.


Stefanie Johnson

gilsalang0925

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Re: Black Widow Dark Legend Solid
« Reply #2 on: September 21, 2016, 09:51:26 PM »
LANE CONDITION

Length: 42

Volume:  Medium

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): THS, Sport Pattern


COMMENTS

Likes:  Smooth up front and very predictable on the back end.  The cover tunes up very shine or scuff with abralon pads. 

Dislikes: If you want to use for heavier oil, you need to go with 500 or 320 grit Abralon pad.   8)


PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS

kgmach

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Re: Black Widow Dark Legend Solid
« Reply #3 on: November 20, 2016, 06:58:00 PM »
The Dark Legend Solid is a great addition to the Black Widow legendary Gas Mask Core family.  If you've liked any of the Black Widows or Taboos of the past this will be one of your favorites.  Wrapping arguably the greatest core in bowling history with the Semtex solid cover gives the bowler an aggressive motion with the never quitting back end reaction.  Great ball when there's a bit of oil out there!

nord

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Re: Black Widow Dark Legend Solid
« Reply #4 on: December 27, 2016, 02:03:14 AM »
To understand how the Black Widow Dark Legend Solid is working for me, let me first give you a little context and background:

I am a low rev (150rpm) low ball speed (14mph) Full Roller with a 90 degree axis rotation and zero tilt. I use a conventional grip with rubber inserts for the fingers and a thumb slug for the thumb.

I have historically bowled in one house that has very light oil and very high friction lane surface. Because of my zero tilt, heavy roll and slow ball speed, I am only able to use urethane or polyester in that house. So this year for league I bought a Hammer Widow Spare. I was intrigued by the Gas Mask core with its super low RG core and ultra high diff. I figured it would work perfectly in this house for my style.

I drilled up the Widow Spare with the aggressive asymmetric layout for Full Roller that uses a balance hole. I then hand wet swirl sanded the ball to 4000 grit. The Widow Spare gets about 5 inches of flare for me with this layout. I am able to ease it up second arrow and the ball will get good length and a nice smooth transition with a gentle move to the pocket. The ball rolls very heavy and provides a lot of control. My average went up 15 pins by using this ball.

So based on my success with the Gas Mask core in the Widow Spare, I bought the Black Widow Dark Legend Solid for a tournament coming up at another house that puts down a heavier volume house shot. I drilled it up the same as my Widow Spare, but without the balance hole.

I took the ball down to those lanes to practice with. Out of the box at 500/2000 skip sand, the ball was just too strong and I was having difficulty getting the ball to the pins without it crossing over. I took it to the pro shop and they put 4000 grit on it. Now I could get the ball down the lane, but it was leaping off the spot and was very hard to control. I finished that session of practice and went home scratching my head.

After some thinking I decided I needed to tune the reaction down, so I hand wet swirl sanded it to 1000 grit. I went back the next day and gave it a try. Night and day! Now the ball read the lane earlier and got up the lane without a problem and rolled soft and easy off the spot. Control was wonderful and I now had a smooth arcing shape. I was able to play up second arrow like I do with the Widow Spare on the dry lanes.

As the oil broke down I was able to just move my feet left and keep the same target. The Black Widow Dark Legend Solid hits like a bulldozer! And when it hits it makes a loud crack! The carbon fiber is really loud and different sounding. The carry is amazing. I rarely get messengers, but the Dark Legend Solid must have such a high coefficient of restitution (COR) due to the carbon fiber shell, that pins really get moving, even for me. If I hit my mark, the ball would arc in smooth and gentle and blow the rack out.

At 1000 grit the Dark Legend Solid is now a control ball that mates perfectly with my retro style. Who says the Full Roller style is dead? I am super happy with this ball and it perfectly mimics on heavy house shots, what the Widow Spare does for me on dry house shots. This is now my first ball out of the bag on heavy house shots. Again the control is amazing as is the really heavy roll and heavy hitting power. Hammer has done it again. The Gas Mask core is gold. Low rev bowlers will love this ball. This ball just wants to roll.

Post Script: I forgot to mention, I won that no tap tournament with the Dark Legend Solid!

Check out the 2016 Scorpion where Tommy Jones uses the Dark Legend Solid:
https://youtu.be/SzmWb4NEsMM?t=1666

Now if only Hammer would make a urethane ball with the Gas Mask core…

Post, Post Script: Hammer listened to me and they made a urethane ball with the Gas Mask core, the Widow Urethane. I got it and it is a heavy rolling beast!
« Last Edit: May 23, 2018, 01:26:42 AM by nord »

nord

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Re: Black Widow Dark Legend Solid
« Reply #5 on: January 01, 2017, 11:26:25 PM »
I just wanted to add a video to compliment my review to show how the Dark Legend Solid responds on a heavy house shot.

Once again: I am a low rev (150rpm) low ball speed (14mph) Full Roller with a 90 degree axis rotation and zero tilt. I use a conventional grip with rubber inserts for the fingers and a thumb slug for the thumb. I have the Dark Legend Solid drilled with a strong Full Roller layout with pin at 3 3/8" and fingers 4 inches deep to increase diff. The ball is hand wet swirl sanded to 1000 grit Siaair.
This ball hits so hard! No ball I have ever owned has hit this hard for me.

Enjoy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxKolNzegdo

Plowboy300

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Re: Black Widow Dark Legend Solid
« Reply #6 on: January 27, 2017, 03:00:18 PM »
BOWLER INFO

PAP/Track:  5 1/8” x 1” up
Axis Rotation:  25 degrees
Axis Tilt:  12 degrees
Rev Rate: 425
Ball Speed: 15-17 mph


LANE CONDITION

Lane Patterns Used: 41' House Shot, PBA Chameleon Pattern, Kegel Taj Mahal Pattern


COMMENTS


BALL LAYOUT: 65 x 5 3/8 x 35

The Dark Legend Solid is a stronger version of the Dark Legend which this one can handle heavier lane patterns. For me this ball is 3-5 boards stronger overall, yet still retain energy down the lane for a strong continuation in the backends. This ball definitely has a place in my bag for longer / heavier lane patterns that I may face and allows me to move into the pattern when they break down. I have seen several styles throw this ball and this is versatile ball for the heavier medium to heavy lane patterns.

I think this ball will be a must have ball for those that are looking for something to use on heavier/longer lane pattern. This ball has a great motion that does not stop rolling in the backend – it really continues through the pin deck! Very versatile ball… You will be impressed!

With the new 3 year warrantee that Hammer provides for this ball, this is the BEST value for you money!


PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS
http://s678.photobucket.com/user/Plowboy300/media/DLS%20-%2065%20x%20538%20x%2035_zpseebpkluv.jpg.html?o=7
Michael Thompson
Hammer Amateur Staff Member

Joe Somd

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Re: Black Widow Dark Legend Solid
« Reply #7 on: August 23, 2017, 10:46:56 AM »
BALL SPECS

Pin Length:3-4
Ball Weight: 15lb
DRILL PATTERN
Layout: Pin under ring - Kicked CG at about 5pm
BOWLER STYLE
Rev Rate:396
Ball Speed: 16-17 mph
PAP/Track: 5 9/16 over and 1/8 up
SURFACE PREP

Finish: (Matte, Polish, Sanded): 1000 Polish - Box
LANE CONDITION
Length: 40ft
Volume: 50 UL
Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): THS
BALL REACTION

On a scale of 1-10 ( 1=Low, 10 = High )
Length: 5-6
Back End: 6-7
Overall Hook: 8
Midlane Read: 5-6
Breakpoint Shape: strong roll

COMMENTS
Likes: This ball is about 3-5 boards more aggressive than the previous Dark Legend and a little earlier as well.    I am able to stay in the same spot as my dark legend hybrid but just get an earlier roll so it is useful in more oil.   This ball still corners well and has plenty of pop through the deck.
Dislikes
PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS
Joe Leingang

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