BallReviews
Equipment Boards => Hammer => Topic started by: xrayjay on September 12, 2015, 02:32:56 AM
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For those who have this ball and/or put time on this ball....
Like or Dislike?
I'm going to give another try with a urethane ball for my second shift league. from my past experiences with other urethanes, I believe the longer pins and/or my low rev rate, made those urethane's undesirable overall.
This urethane - the blue will have a flaring layout at 4" and most likely a cover change. I'm looking to play straighter in the zone with this ball, because what I have in the bag now takes away the pocket from my comfort zone.
I'm hoping this blue will be "weaker" than the naturals I had few years back...
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If you're talking about the current Blue Hammer ..
It is one of the very few urethanes that I have kept. Even the stock 4000 grit surface gets very good, easy length; it has a better backend than most urethanes, old and new, on today's drier conditions. It has hitting power on light hits, that is closer to true resin than any other urethane in my recent experience (except for the SuperNatural which I found very over/under on most conditions).
It is the easiest ball I have thrown, with true strike potential on every shot, to throw down and in on the driest of true oil patterns, except, of course, true fried lanes where you even have to play the 3rd and 4th arrow with plastic.
That said, it is still very susceptible to carrydown.
Oh, and it is not for a wet/dry condition, unless you have a lot of hand or a lot of surface (1000 grit or lower). You do need a blended oil pattern.
If you have a lower rev rate, I'd suggest drilling it strong (not more than 4" pin-PAP) because the max differential is only .032 or thereabouts. I'd start with the stock 4000 grit surface and roughen it, as needs be to get the reaction you need.
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Just throwing in my two cents, I like the Pitch Black better than the Newer Blue Hammer. I had two Blue Hammers, while the ball was good. The Pitch Black hits harder and stays in play for more games for me. Used the PB on CHeetah and Wolf in the summer and average 213 on cheetah and 205 on Wolf with it. Again, just my two cents...
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All this urethane talk has me wanting to punch up my Booyah.
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wait until 9-17-15 for an announcement from Hammer
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Just throwing in my two cents, I like the Pitch Black better than the Newer Blue Hammer. I had two Blue Hammers, while the ball was good. The Pitch Black hits harder and stays in play for more games for me. Used the PB on CHeetah and Wolf in the summer and average 213 on cheetah and 205 on Wolf with it. Again, just my two cents...
A teammate has one and likes it for its hitting power, but he has more initial axis tilt than I do. However, it goes into a roll like NOW!!, about 5 feet past the arrows, unless he finds a lot of head oil to skid it through to the midlane. He has to be real careful where nd when he hits the dry; it is very sensitive for a strong urethane.
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new Urethane coming, not like the new ones out now
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I might buy it
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I would put this in my top three of balls purchased where I was most excited before I bought it and most disappointed after I tried it. I love the original blue hammer and wasn't expecting the same ball. But with a drill that I know works for me and despite every surface change I can think of the ball again like a turd. I liked it's smoothness but struggled with over/under. As a lower Revs and speed stroker I really thought the ball was going to be a winner for me, but it was not.
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I bought a Blue Hammer a year ago to replace my Natural. Primarily a spare ball, but I have had good luck with it on some THS and short tournament patterns. One note I think is important. When patterns get to the point that you have to move in and go away from the pocket any urethane loses its effectiveness from a carry standpoint. Therefore I don't really use them much when patterns force me inside. They are very good when I can square up outside against the oil line, and will allow me to stay there for awhile.
I like the Blue Hammer better than my old Natural because of the core
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I like what I see......so far.
I pulled out the blue on the third game for the first time last night, just to see what I got. Well, I was impressed. I can really use this for my second shift leagues. I know it's just one game, but just the fact that this ball rolls weaker than my naturals is a good thing.
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I used the black urethane through the 80's, love it.
I purchase the new black urethane in October, love it. Still has the smooth finish in the back especially in drier conditions. Although I'd still like a little more drive through the end.
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Just got one drilled pin up last week
Have only had a chance to throw it on crap after kids and leagues etc
But I noticed that it is truly a dry lane ball. Skids with any oil in the heads or mid lane
Smooth controlled backend. Have really had to play straight up 10. Carry is excellent once you're lined up.
Excited to throw it on dry when i can swing it a little bit.
For $85 on bowling ball.com - definitely worth the investment
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Totally bone dry, I've had minor issue with the blue lately. I need some heads for my style and/or cover adjustment. I like this ball much better than other "modern" urethane I've owned in the past. it's def. a keeper for me.
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Totally bone dry, I've had minor issue with the blue lately. I need some heads for my style and/or cover adjustment. I like this ball much better than other "modern" urethane I've owned in the past. it's def. a keeper for me.
What's the drill and surface you have it at?
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Totally bone dry, I've had minor issue with the blue lately. I need some heads for my style and/or cover adjustment. I like this ball much better than other "modern" urethane I've owned in the past. it's def. a keeper for me.
What's the drill and surface you have it at?
OOB with 4x4x2
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4x4x2 is a stronger layout right?
I'll let you know when I throw mine on bone dry lanes and see if it can get through the heads with ease
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I actually love the Blue simply because it pushes slightly more than traditional urethane and recovers a tad better. So I'm able to chase the line left a little and not sacrifice too much carry. I also can stay farther right as the heads go.
I tried the Black Remake a few months ago and it was "ok" but my problem is that it hooked WAY too early and too much. Forced me way too far left and thus defeated the purpose. If I had plenty of head oil the Black would be better.
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I actually love the Blue simply because it pushes slightly more than traditional urethane and recovers a tad better. So I'm able to chase the line left a little and not sacrifice too much carry. I also can stay farther right as the heads go.
I tried the Black Remake a few months ago and it was "ok" but my problem is that it hooked WAY too early and too much. Forced me way too far left and thus defeated the purpose. If I had plenty of head oil the Black would be better.
Have you thought about changing the surface on the Black Hammer (2000), this might help the ball get down the lane a little more for you. I agree with your statement about the Black (remake) being a little too strong early, I changed the surface and it made a difference in the motion that I saw - a little longer down the lane.
In regards to the Blue Hammer, this ball was weaker than it was designed to be. It is weaker than the Storm Naturals and that is actually a good thing. The only problem that I had with this ball was it was too weak for what I needed it to be, then when I changed the surface it hooked way to early and hit like a marshmellow for my game. The new Black Hammer definitely gives me that look I was looking for in a urethane ball & is very versatile for many patterns that we face in tournaments.
Hope this helps!
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I actually love the Blue simply because it pushes slightly more than traditional urethane and recovers a tad better. So I'm able to chase the line left a little and not sacrifice too much carry. I also can stay farther right as the heads go.
I tried the Black Remake a few months ago and it was "ok" but my problem is that it hooked WAY too early and too much. Forced me way too far left and thus defeated the purpose. If I had plenty of head oil the Black would be better.
Have you thought about changing the surface on the Black Hammer (2000), this might help the ball get down the lane a little more for you. I agree with your statement about the Black (remake) being a little too strong early, I changed the surface and it made a difference in the motion that I saw - a little longer down the lane.
In regards to the Blue Hammer, this ball was weaker than it was designed to be. It is weaker than the Storm Naturals and that is actually a good thing. The only problem that I had with this ball was it was too weak for what I needed it to be, then when I changed the surface it hooked way to early and hit like a marshmellow for my game. The new Black Hammer definitely gives me that look I was looking for in a urethane ball & is very versatile for many patterns that we face in tournaments.
Hope this helps!
Yes I did. Hit it up to 4000 and was able to polish a little. But being that it's "true" urethane it still hooked too early. It worked better but it was still more sensitive to head breakdown than the Blue Hammer. I could get at most 1 game out of it where with the Blue 2 almost 2.5 before having to make a huge change.
Don't get me wrong. The Black rolls extremely well but it requires some head oil. The centers I bowl do not use the modern oils so the fronts break down really quickly.
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I've never tried it, but looking at my Blue Hammer coverstock, it looks like it'll be a challenge working the cover. So, I just deep clean often....
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I've never tried it, but looking at my Blue Hammer coverstock, it looks like it'll be a challenge working the cover. So, I just deep clean often....
The current one of the original?
If the current one, it is almost easier to change than most resins today, which just goes to show it can't be a true old urethane coverstock.
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I've never tried it, but looking at my Blue Hammer coverstock, it looks like it'll be a challenge working the cover. So, I just deep clean often....
The current one of the original?
If the current one, it is almost easier to change than most resins today, which just goes to show it can't be a true old urethane coverstock.
Good to know, I'll give it a try.