BallReviews
Reviews => Hammer => Topic started by: Ballreviews on June 21, 2013, 08:48:54 AM
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Hammer Spike Ball Specs:
- Color: Blue / Orange All colors do vary somewhat from the picture shown.
- Coverstock: GTR III Hybrid
- Core: Nasty Core
- Factory Finish: 800-1000-2000 Abranet™-Powerhouse Factory Finish Polish®
- Reaction: Controlled Curve
- Recommended Lane Condition: Dry-Medium
- RG: 2.56**
- Differential: .054**
- ** RG and Diff are based off of 15 lb. balls
- A few tiny pit holes in the cover stock of the ball are normal
Description: Hammer’s got a new way to attack the pins-Introducing the Hammer Spike. The Spike uses a high RG, high Dif-ferential core system that gives Hammer bowlers a new look at conquering drier lanes. Combining this core with the Taboo Jet Black’s coverstock (GTRIII) in a hybrid version gives the Spike a long move through the front of the lane, with a controlled but aggressive down-lane move. Take control of your game on drier lanes and pound the pocket with the new Hammer Spike!
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LANE CONDITION
Lane Patterns Used: 39' House Shot, USBC Singles/Double Pattern, & 2013 ITC Sectional Singles Pattern (43'), Kegel Broadway Pattern
COMMENTS
Ball Layout: 50 x 4 1/2 x 35
Likes: I was excited to hear about this release (High RG / High Diff core) from the ball that I enjoyed back in the day – Black Widow Nasty. This ball is much better with the Jet Black cover to give this ball plenty of ease through the front part of the lane. This ball is definately very clean in the front part of the lane with a STRONG & BIG backend reaction. As advertised, it fits above the Titanium Nail & Cobalt Vibe by providing a continuous backend motion where you need it. For me this ball worked best on when the patterns were in transition and I needed a ball to recover in the backends when the lanes opened up. First series out of the box was a 279, 227, 267 = 773 series on a low volume house shot pattern.
Dislikes: Tends to be a little too strong off the spot on the fresher patterns. It was a little too sensitive to the lane patterns which I played on the fresh, which is not the best idea to use an angular ball on these patterns anyways.
I think this ball will work great for a few of the lower rev rate bowlers that need a ball to get through the front part of the lane & turn the corner when the transition has forced them left of their comfort zone. With the high rg / high diff core & the Jet Black cover, this ball will help bowlers have a ball that will get down the lane with ease & turn the corner in the backends. This is a little different motion that we have seen & I feel was missing in the Hammer brand.
The release date for this ball is July 16th, so make sure you place your pre-order through your local pro shop.
PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS
http://i678.photobucket.com/albums/vv150/Plowboy300/Spike-AbsolutCurve_zps0f090575.jpg
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COVER : GTR III PEARL
RG / DIFF 15# RG (2.56) Diff (.054)
LAYOUT: 70 X 5 3/4 X 50
SURFACE: BOX FINISH 800-1000-2000 Abranet™-Powerhouse Factory Finish Polish®
LANE PATTERN:TYPICAL HOUSE 41', USBC TEAM, USBC SGL & DBLS
PROS: Spike uses a high RG, high Dif-ferential core system that gives Hammer bowlers a new look at conquering drier lanes. This is the ball motion that every bowler is looking for on typical house patterns, skid/flip. This is a motion that we have needed in HAMMER. This is a great compliment to Nail series. A must for Medium/Dry lanes. USBC Team pattern, I had to adjust surface to 2000 no polish. This helped Spike open it more down lane. This also helped on USBC Sgl/Dbls pattern.
CONS:On the fresh USBC patterns it was tight down lane with to much angle off the spot. Changed surface to 2000 no polish, match was much better.
Les Mann
Hammer Regional Staff
Vise Regional Staff
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Drilled a Spike up this weekend for a Right handed bowler in his 60's.
He said he wanted something to go long but not too much snap.
Layout: 60 4 1/2 50. some length but smooth on back end.
The lanes was a modified house shot for the tournament.
The guy was able to play straighter with this layout. He played 8-13. He was the only person that could play there because of a weaker ball with a weak layout!
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LANE CONDITION
Length: 40feet
Volume: Medium to light
Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): THS
COMMENTS
Likes: This ball is SUPER clean through the front part of the lane. I drilled mine 60X5 1/2X40 . I have a high ball speed and rev rate of 510. Ball never quit down lane. This ball can be drilled up in my opinion for hvy oil patterns. But surface tweak is a must.
Dislikes: None at this point
PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS
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This ball is just plain ridiculous! So smooth through the fronts and it revs pretty good midlane and the backend is super strong. I can play this ball on any part of the lane on the fresh and its hitting power is one of a kind. Great ball to have if you are looking for something when they get a tad bit dryer.
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BOWLING BALL: HAMMER SPIKE
CORE: NASTY CORE
COVER : GTR III PEARL
RG / DIFF 15# RG (2.56) Diff (.054)
LAYOUT: 50x4 1/2x40
SURFACE: BOX FINISH 800-1000-2000 Abranet™-Powerhouse Factory Finish Polish®
LANE PATTERN: Typical house shot (light volume)
PROS: This ball is very clean for me through the fronts and mid lane. It is very controllable and a good ball choice for when the lanes are drier or when the track begins to break down it allows me to stay in my comfort zone. I will say that the Spike has more backend movement for me than any of the vibe series I have thrown.
CONS: For my style of bowling it is not a good ball choice for medium/heavy volume oil patterns.
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LANE CONDITION
Length: 41
Volume: Medium
Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): Sport Pattern, THS
COMMENTS
Likes: This ball really is awesome through the fronts. It hits like a tank and depending on Pin up or Pin drillings. You can use on a variety of medium to semi oily conditions (40 feet to 42 feet).
Dislikes: Longer patterns like 44 plus. We have other balls to do the job.
PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS
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Layout=35x5 1/2x65
Rev Rate=425
Wow the Spike ball from the Hammer fall line will have a place in my bag for a long time. This ball is perfect for me in late league games or long sweepers. I have found great success in some sport shot where the shot is off the gutter. This ball is so clean through the fronts but has so much pop on the backend for me. With a Black Widow nasty core and taboo cover this ball was designed for success. This is a must have in ever league bowlers bag and have been flying off my shelf with nothing but compliments coming back from the way this ball reacts for all age groups. Young or old this ball is a milestone ball for everyone. Go to your local proshop and get one.
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LANE CONDITION
Layout: 65 X 5 1/2 x 40
Length:40 and 39
Volume:Medium to dry
Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc):THS
COMMENTS
Likes:The Spike is super clean through the fronts. This is a great ball for the dry house conditions and later blocks in a tournament. The Spike creates great entry angle. Being I higher rev guy this ball is a must for the dry. Other lower rev rate bowlers have had great success with stronger layouts in the Spike.
Dislikes: Defiantly longer patterns. But you can change the surface down to 2000 and which enables the Spike to pick up earlier and still hit on the back.
PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS
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BOWLING BALL: HAMMER SPIKE
CORE: NASTY CORE
COVER : GTR III PEARL
RG / DIFF 15# RG (2.56) Diff (.054)
Length:
Volume:
Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc):Kegel Main Street and Easy Street, USBC Blue, THS etc
COMMENTS: The release of a ball with the Black Widow Nasty core with it's high differential and high RG, wrapped with the GTR III Hybrid resin got me very excited. Big time length with big time flare turns this beast into a big controlled curve motion. This gives me a great look on the medium to broken down patterns as I need to move in deep.
Likes: Able to chase oil line in with confidence, Spike doesn't overreact.
Dislikes: A little sensitive for me on the fresh THS. I think a slight scuff of the surface would blend this out and be a good option for fresh also. i will be trying some surface adjustments in the near future.
PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS
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This ball is not one I use until probably the 3rd game of league bc it is a weaker cover than most of the other new equipment, but that doesn't make it any less of a ball.. It has a smooth early roll in the fronts and a continuous hook in the back part of the lane.. Really squares your game up for those tough drier conditions.. Its a bright orange and blue and you can really watch the ball roll down lane. :)