Well, I've gone and made a deal for another Hammer, this one a Saw Blade. I've read the reviews that are up, but I'd like to get more input. Where do you all think it fits into this arsenal? What balls is it closest to? What type of shot shape can I expect? The ball has the same CT cover that's on my Real Deal but with a different core. What are the main differences I'll see? Any additional thoughts?

In case you need it, here is my current stash of Hammer gear:

Big Blue
Hawgzilla
No Mercy
Real Deal
Raw Hammer Pain
Hawg Wild
Hi-Rev
Black Widow No. 1
Black Widow No. 2
Big Blue Pearl
Raw Hammer Doom
Pure Hammer (Burgundy)

Keep in mind, I know I have some overlap. I'm planning on working into the most well-rounded arsenal possible and then putting some of these away for rainy days. Let me know your thoughts on where the Saw Blade will fit in and what I can expect from it. Thanks!

P.S. If anyone has a single drill 15lb Vibe (blue or purple), I'd be willing to work a trade for the C300 Action I have!
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I've only bowled 300, but I've benched 345

http://members.bowl.com/FindAMember/memberView.aspx?mp=519&ms=9130&s=2006-2007

do you realize you have more balls than lane conditions available?  how do you know which ball to use when you get to the lanes?  it seems you'd have to throw a few games just to figure out which ball you wanted to play, not to mention which line with which ball... does having this many bowling balls actually improve your game or is it kinda like having a fast car.. useless but still cool to brag about?

Phoenix--

Generally, for a newer bowler, you don't need very many balls.  Maybe one or two, three at the most (plus a spare ball, that doesn't count).  Some newer bowlers do fall into the trap of buying new balls constantly, and IMO this is a practice that can really hurt your development.  I personally had a few too many when I started out, and I spent too much time wondering if I should change balls rather than wondering if I had made a good shot.  Nowadays I keep myself fairly limited, and only carry 3 with me at any time.

However, a more experienced bowler like Gene can indeed make use of that many balls.  It doesn't mean he brings them with him wherever he goes, but it does help to have many options, especially when bowling on tougher conditions.  On your normal league shot, I'm sure Gene only brings a few like most of us do, but chances are he brings a much larger selection with him to tournaments.  There are so many different variables to look at when bowling on tougher conditions.  Do you need something that will get through the heads but layoff in the back?  Do you need something to read early but retain enough energy for a strong move?  Do you need something as mild as can be to play a straighter shot from outside?    The possibilities are endless.

So, in short, yes Gene can use that many different balls, but a newer bowler should probably keep it simple equipment wise.  Whew!  Ramble off!
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Mr. Lebowski, this is Bill Salnicker with the Southern Cal Bowling League, and I just got a, an informal report, that a member of your team, uh, Walter Sobchak, drew a firearm during league play. If this is true of course, it contravenes a number of the league's by-laws, and article 27 of the league...

The Rev Zone (blog) http://ryanfinley.bowlspace.com/blog/

Thanks for the input so far. It is all quite helpful, and it backs up what I've read about the Saw.

Phoenix,

As Splendor made reference to, I don't carry all of those balls with me at all times. For league, I generall bring two strike balls and my plastic ball down to the lanes to start. If the lanes are really acting different than normal, I may make a trip back to the pro shop to swap one out. On average, I would say that I probably use two strike balls per night of league bowling: one for the first game to game and a half before switching to something different for the third. When it comes to league, I can use just about anything I have in the bag, maybe minus the flood ball or scorched lane ball. So, as far as league is concerned, yes, the number of balls I have would be overkill. Tournaments, however, are a totally different animal.

Tournament lane conditions, whether PBA or ABT, demand a lot of a bowler. Sometimes you need early roll and smooth backend; other times, you need long and flippy. Now, could I manufacture such reactions with fewer balls? Of course. Changes in wrist, hand, and finger positions could allow me to use fewer balls. Carrying a large arsenal allows me to create different reactions while staying within my 'A' game. I liken it to golf clubs. I could work my way around the course simply using a driver, 7-iron, wedge, and putter, but by doing so I will have to use some of those clubs in ways in which I am umcomfortable. The key is to make things as simple as you can so as to only have to focus on shotmaking.

In order to manage such an arsenal, I read a ton of reviews before picking up gear, and I do a lot of practicing, surface adjustment, etc once I get it. That way, when the lights come on I have a pretty good idea of exactly what each different ball will give me. If you fail to take those steps, you're going to be in trouble because then you'll be switching balls without really knowing what you're getting.

As was stated by Splendor, if you're a newbie or someone who only bowls recreationally (maybe one league night a week, no tourneys), then you have no need for a lot of equipment; you can simply get by with two or three, at the most. If you want to seriously compete in tournaments, however, more balls can make things a great deal easier.

I hope this explanation helps.
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I've only bowled 300, but I've benched 345

http://members.bowl.com/FindAMember/memberView.aspx?mp=519&ms=9130&s=2006-2007

Phoenix,

Well, again, the need for such equipment is in the eye of the beholder, or bowler  I could go to a tourney with 1 ball and wreck the field, but the odds of that happening are not good. There are simply too many variables. Having more gear and knowing what it does gives me a lot more options than I might otherwise have. That's what I'm looking for.

When I got tourneys, I usually bring just about everything with me. Some come into the center, and some stay in the car on a just in case basis. If it's a two-day event, I will usually trim some stuff out of the bag for Day 2 since I already have an idea what the lanes are doing.

As for the cost involved with having all of this gear, it's not nearly as bad as it would seem. I don't buy everything NIB. I buy/sell/trade a lot of used stuff. My driller treats me extremely fairly; in fact, there have been many occasions when he hasn't charged me at all to plug and redrill used stuff, so I've had more freedom to acquire and experiment than most people. I'm very lucky like that.
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I've only bowled 300, but I've benched 345

http://members.bowl.com/FindAMember/memberView.aspx?mp=519&ms=9130&s=2006-2007

The Toxic will definitely give you more length than the BW but with a strong move to the pocket.  You also might want to look at the other Raw Hammer balls, they're ALL great.  I have a Pain and a Doom and love both of them.  The Pain would be overall about as strong as the Black Widow, but with an overall smoother look, with a good midlane read and a strong but controllable move to the pocket.  The Doom is similar to the Vibe, but stronger overall for a more medium condition, with a good snap.
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Mr. Lebowski, this is Bill Salnicker with the Southern Cal Bowling League, and I just got a, an informal report, that a member of your team, uh, Walter Sobchak, drew a firearm during league play. If this is true of course, it contravenes a number of the league's by-laws, and article 27 of the league...

The Rev Zone (blog) http://ryanfinley.bowlspace.com/blog/

To fit between your BW and Vibe, I'd say either the Toxic or Doom would be great.    The Toxic is stronger off the break than the Doom, from what I understand.  The Pain fills a similar slot to the BW, but goes about it's hook in a different way.
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Mr. Lebowski, this is Bill Salnicker with the Southern Cal Bowling League, and I just got a, an informal report, that a member of your team, uh, Walter Sobchak, drew a firearm during league play. If this is true of course, it contravenes a number of the league's by-laws, and article 27 of the league...

The Rev Zone (blog) http://ryanfinley.bowlspace.com/blog/