I usually don't write reviews, but I'm just that enamored by this ball. I feel like this ball isn't getting NEARLY the hype it deserves. This is coming from a non-staffer/non-Hammer fanboy.
I'm a higher speed, higher rev bowler that has been struggling with consistency on our new pattern, a 42' modified stone street. From what I can tell, the modification is less oil. The pattern starts off nice, but the outsides burn VERY quickly (within the first game), turning the lane into an over/under mess. My rev rate would be too high to control anything that touched the outside, but my speed would cause balls to skid too long to consistently kick out the 10 pin when I played in the oil. Worse, one of the leagues I'm in is second shift, so the over/under is already created for us.
Balls I have typically killed this house with were all ineffective. Every ball is over/under when playing out, so I'm forced to move my breakpoint in and play the oil. Anything 4000 or polished (Tribal, Sigma Sting, etc) won't get up in the oil. My pin down Hyroad Solid make a better move in the oil, but the hook zone was too long to carry consistently. My Reax v1 35x4x30 allowed me to play in the oil with great carry, but would peel off the spot into a certain split any time it even sniffed friction from break down.
This pattern is basically a worst nightmare for me, because it feels like all the no handers are on a house shot while I'm on a sport shot. That is where the Burgundy Hammer comes in. I had it drilled up on Saturday ??x5x40 (pin over bridge, for me). On a pretty fresh shot at that house, the ball was simply a monster. Then I bowled on 39' Middle Road on Sunday, and it was easily my best look. Finally, I bowled last night on the condition that had been giving me so much trouble. The Burgundy was absolutely perfect. The 500 grit surface allowed me to play in the oil without blowing the ball past my breakpoint. Overreaction off burned lines was minimal and the carry was phenominal.
I recently purchased a Mastermind, which is working on this pattern as well on that inside line. It gives me the strength and surface needed to play that inside line and still get the ball started, without the overreaction I was seeing on my much more angular Reax. It is almost perfect... and I don't even want to throw it. The Burgundy allows me to play the same breakpoint without having to throw at the 4th arrow, and carries just as well.
I honestly cannot speak highly enough about this ball. The best compliment I can give it is that I've used it 3 times, and it would take me both hands to count the number of people who have watched me throw it and proclaimed "I think I need to get one of those."
I will say though, I don't know what "react-a-thane" is, but it does NOT roll like urethane. Mine gets downlane shockingly well, especially considering the surface, and it makes a strong move. I don't know what it is (my guess is that its a very old resin formulation that is only starting up because it is at 500 grit), but it is an AWESOME ball and absolute house shot killer.
