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Author Topic: Opinions on the Katana Dragon  (Read 1431 times)

bowler100

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Opinions on the Katana Dragon
« on: February 08, 2019, 12:28:21 AM »
I know several people in my bowling center including my pro shop operator who think this ball is complete garbage. In fact my PSO essentially said it was the worst ball he has ever thrown (He loves the Katana Slash by the way). Having thrown it myself, it certainly needs oil up front OOB and is a bit sensitive to release. Even understanding that the ball is designed for oil, the Jackal Rising and Sure Lock seem to give me a lot more motion than this one on every lane condition whether house shot or sport shot or medium oil or heavy oil. The Jackal Rising is very angular for me while the Sure Lock gives a similar look to the Katana Dragon but with much more continuation. Does that mean that I think the Katana Dragon ball sucks? Absolutely not. It has its own purpose. It gives me a strong response to friction (short hook phase) yet does so with a very forward shape; covering less boards than you would expect. It also hits like a bomb went off on the pin deck.

IMO this ball is great example of why we should stop paying attention to the hook ratings and think of ball motion as more front to back. There are tons of balls that handle less oil than this one but will appear to hook more because they retain more energy for the backend. I have also seen many balls that handle floods better than this one yet still have more backend and/or continuation than this one.

Going back to some of the bowlers I know who dislike this ball; I believe they had an impression that the ball would cover a ton of boards in the midlane and backend. It just doesn't want to do it.  This ball actually reminds me a bit of the old Morich Mayhem in the way it rolls and hits.

What do you guys think of this ball? Does this align with your own personal or second-hand experiences with this ball?

 

themagician

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Re: Opinions on the Katana Dragon
« Reply #1 on: February 08, 2019, 07:57:47 AM »
Has been one of the worst Radical releases based on what i've seen in motion out of the locals that bought it and used it. Like you touched on, hook doesn't always equate to hit. We tried a couple layouts and multiple surfaces on my buddies we gave up on it, just not impressed in our area with it at all.
-Mike
-MOTIV Staff

BowlingForDonuts

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Re: Opinions on the Katana Dragon
« Reply #2 on: February 08, 2019, 10:33:09 AM »
Exact same thing with the More Cash and Cash as well.  Stupidly condition specific else it just rolls out at arrows.  Even if do find enough oil for it probably won't get more than a game out of them regardless before you have to put away.
« Last Edit: February 08, 2019, 10:42:55 AM by BowlingForDonuts »
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JazlarVonSteich

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Re: Opinions on the Katana Dragon
« Reply #3 on: February 08, 2019, 10:39:10 AM »
I agree with what has been said. The ball just does not shape up well. Probably only good on certain patterns. Have pros even used this ball? I haven't seen it. I sold mine.

As an aside, I'm really tired of seeing Radical pump out high end asymmetrics like they have. They keep promising Rack Attack replacements, but they still aren't here.

don coyote

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Re: Opinions on the Katana Dragon
« Reply #4 on: February 08, 2019, 10:50:18 AM »
2 weeks ago I was destroyed by a guy, swinging the ball, who was throwing inside 4th arrow using a Dragon. I was throwing a Paradox at 2000 grit around 3rd arrow all night. As long as he stayed inside of 4th arrow he carried. He does have more hand than me, but that ball seemed to be carrying a ton. I believe that ball needs oil-badly!

bowler100

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Re: Opinions on the Katana Dragon
« Reply #5 on: February 08, 2019, 12:36:04 PM »
Exact same thing with the More Cash and Cash as well.  Stupidly condition specific else it just rolls out at arrows.  Even if do find enough oil for it probably won't get more than a game out of them regardless before you have to put away.
In my normal league condition, I found just enough oil for it to get down the lane. Dry heads will cause this ball to roll out at the arrows like you said. On anything flat and heavy, the Katana Dragon is too skid/twitchy to be used up the boards but when you give it the slightest head belly, it goes for days and leaves wash outs. Like you said, stupidly condition specific. I find house conditions with a flood in the middle and friction to the outside to be the best look for the Katana Dragon.

BowlingForDonuts

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Re: Opinions on the Katana Dragon
« Reply #6 on: February 08, 2019, 05:17:13 PM »
Yeah if I got it re-drilled super weak could probably use it on house shot more (worked with my Fix) but basically decided to shelf it until I find myself on heavy sport shot someday. Though I may trade it because honestly if I find myself on heavy oil I am going first to my Green Quantum anyway as trust that ball a whole lot more.
« Last Edit: February 08, 2019, 05:22:02 PM by BowlingForDonuts »
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