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Author Topic: Hammer Benchmark Ball ??  (Read 6060 times)

mm7759

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Hammer Benchmark Ball ??
« on: November 14, 2013, 10:22:44 AM »
I recently won a Cold Blood in a raffle, and had been thinking of building a Hammer arsenal.  I figure it would be a perfect time to try to build that arsenal. Seeking some suggestions on a well rounded 3 ball arsenal (excluding spare ball…which is the Hammer blue urethane).  Would the Absolut Curve work as a good step down and benchmark ball?  Then maybe a Nail Titanium below that?  al.  I am pretty much just a house bowler, and bowl a few tournaments here and there, but not hard core.  Again…open to any suggestions.  The house I bowl tends to be on the dryer side, but they are still trying to dial in the shot after getting a new oil machine not too long ago.  I'm a lower rev player that plays mostly up the boards.  Currently throwing a Marvel Pearl, Frantic and a mix between a Victory Road Solid or Modern Marvel.  Thanks in advance

 

SVstar34

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Re: Hammer Benchmark Ball ??
« Reply #1 on: November 14, 2013, 10:29:57 AM »
From the sounds of it, you would get a lot of use out of the Arson low flare. Everyone has nothing but good things to say about it for lighter conditions.

Inbetween the Cold Blood and Arson low flare, there are a lot of options. Absolut Curve is 1 option, as well as the Ratchet or Arson Hybrid

Dave81644

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Re: Hammer Benchmark Ball ??
« Reply #2 on: November 14, 2013, 11:13:40 PM »
i have 2 of the low flare, its fairly weak with the OBB finish
if you take the matte polish off of it, then its a bit stronger
very continuous, but weaker

I love my absolute curve, perfect benchmark piece for me.
cold blood a step up
nail titanium is a step below abs curve

Armourboy

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Re: Hammer Benchmark Ball ??
« Reply #3 on: November 15, 2013, 06:45:02 AM »
My Arson Low Flare is anything but weak, drilled strong and OOB I use mine for my benchmark ball. Granted I have below average speed, but its always the first thing out of my bag. The Low Flare varies pretty dramatically from what I've read on here depending on your surface prep and drilling. Damn thing hits really well for me.

Dave81644

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Re: Hammer Benchmark Ball ??
« Reply #4 on: November 15, 2013, 07:37:52 AM »
factory OBB is 500 + clean n sheen which adds about 1000 grit of matte polish to the underlying surface prep
i was told early on by a ball rep to drill these strong as they performed better with a stronger drill.
if you take the factory polish off, it is definitely stronger.
great ball for sure, weaker piece for me though

mm7759

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Re: Hammer Benchmark Ball ??
« Reply #5 on: November 15, 2013, 09:29:30 AM »
Thanks for all the feedback.  I have been thinking that a Cold Blood, Absolut Curve would be a good 1,2….but is the Low Flare too close compared to something like the Nail Titanium or Spike?   I do bowl on a 2nd shift league so we sometimes come on to some beat up lanes.

charlest

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Re: Hammer Benchmark Ball ??
« Reply #6 on: November 15, 2013, 09:53:18 AM »
Thanks for all the feedback.  I have been thinking that a Cold Blood, Absolut Curve would be a good 1,2….but is the Low Flare too close compared to something like the Nail Titanium or Spike?   I do bowl on a 2nd shift league so we sometimes come on to some beat up lanes.

But you want/need a benchmark ball, no?
None of the above are anywhere close to be that; they al have huge backend or need more than medium oil. The Arson Low Flare is a benchmark ball. The Arson Hybrid is possibly their next best benchmark.
"None are so blind as those who will not see."

Dave81644

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Re: Hammer Benchmark Ball ??
« Reply #7 on: November 15, 2013, 12:15:09 PM »
I guess It depends on what condition you want this for.
not to many pieces below the low flare for me.
so the low flare is not MY benchmark ball.
I have a decent amount of volume where im at so the abs curve is my benchmark piece

Plowboy300

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Re: Hammer Benchmark Ball ??
« Reply #8 on: November 15, 2013, 12:35:03 PM »
Based on what you have in your bag (Storm) and what you are looking for, I feel that the Arson Low Flare will be perfect benchmark ball (best ball for the fresh & best for drier patterns - very smooth & controllable). If you need a drier lane ball, I would recommend the Cobalt Vibe instead of the Spike or Nail...
Michael Thompson
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mm7759

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Re: Hammer Benchmark Ball ??
« Reply #9 on: November 15, 2013, 04:22:11 PM »
Again….THANKS to all for your feedback.  Definitely gives me some good guidelines.  I guess I think "low flare", and me being rev challenged that it might be too weak for me, but looking at some of the online videos, it does look like a nice option. 

Armourboy

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Re: Hammer Benchmark Ball ??
« Reply #10 on: November 16, 2013, 08:14:24 AM »
Just make sure you drill it strong and I don't think you will have any problems from it. If its too weak for your bench mark ball drilled strong its going to be a pretty good lighter oil ball for you then.

If you end doing that and its too strong for the drier stuff you can adjust the cover, just from opinions I've seen its a very versatile ball depending on what you do with it. Heard of a couple of people that have multiple drillings and surface preps on several different Low Flares.

Without knowing your ball speed, revs and all that good stuff its going to be hard to know for sure but if your local pro shop knows your game you might can get some help from them as well.
« Last Edit: November 16, 2013, 08:16:24 AM by Armourboy »