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Author Topic: Sahara  (Read 12764 times)

admin

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Sahara
« on: December 31, 1969, 06:00:00 PM »
Ball NPS Score: Not Available
In response to popular demand, MoRich proudly presents SAHARA for drier lanes offering MoRich performance in a mild pearl reactive cover for added length.
Drilling Layouts

Track Control Sharp Break Point Forward Roll
High
(PAP > 5-1/4")      
Medium
(PAP 4-1/2" to 5-1/4")    
Low
(PAP < 4-1/2")    
 
Core Type:
 Strong Asymmetrical  Mass Bias Differential:  .015
60 Degree Avg. Spin Time:  7.0 seconds  Coverstock:  Mild Pearl Reactive
Factory Finish:  Polished  Flare Potential:  Medium
Differential:  .045  RG:  2.540
Weights (pounds):  14, 15, 16  Color:  Blue and Purple

 

Bluff

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Re: Sahara
« Reply #1 on: August 08, 2005, 03:51:26 PM »
15.00 After 3 Holes OOB
2 1/2 x 6 3/4 mb up 2 1/3

This ball is still too strong for dry lanes. great for fresh shoot walled lanes. Nice smooth Arc at the end. It hooks more than XXXL,CZ Red PIN , Viper peral, I say is about the same amount hook as a Roto Grip Sonic , Sheer Havco , Jekyl. Great hit and carry and the color is AWESOME looking. Hit? like any other ball. Carry? well if u hit pocket sometimes u get a strike. The Pioneer is a better dry lane Ball from Mo and cheaper
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Honestly I got a lot of balls. No NOT BOWLING BALLS!

DP3

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Re: Sahara
« Reply #2 on: September 16, 2005, 12:56:45 AM »
Stats in profile....

For me, with a sharp breakpoint drill Pin 4" to PAP, Mb 4 1/4 to PAP with a target hole pitched away from the palm to take it to 1/2oz positive the Sahara offers a reaction truely not advertised.  

I knew it would happen with this strong motor and strong drill, but what I now have is a medium oil skid/snap powerhouse.  I tried it on the medium Junior Gold pattern and PBA Pattern E and the Sahara was very effective on the outside angles for both patterns(as well as the THS).  On the THS and PBA Pattern E, I could easily bump the gutter going 12 out to as far on the ditch as I wanted without throwing a gutter and as with all Morich pieces I got a hard violent snap at the breakpoint with this Sharp Breakpoint Drilling.  The Junior Gold pattern forced me to play straighter inside the 2nd arrow in order to find peace with the pocket, but the shape of the breakpoint remained the same.  

Since I have a very high rotation to begin with, most stuff draws a sharp breakpoint for me, but the Sahara takes the cake as the sharpest ball in my bag for now(I have yet to drill my Smokin and Punisher).  As with most balls this violent at the break, you live by skid/flip, you die by it.  This ball did not handle the lane transitions well at all.  Too much oil down lane and the ball became very squirty.  As Pattern E broke down in the fronts, it was impossible for me to keep this ball right, when the THS forced me inside after about 30-45 minutes(I don't keep score when I practice), I noticed carry issues unless I softened my speed, then the ball became erratic at the breakpoint.

Do not get me wrong, this ball fits a nice niche, I just wrote the last part to advise you that this will not be a ball you can start out with spraying the pattern and expect to use it the whole night/block.  You'll know when to put it away and that is why I love my Assymetric equipment.  I know exactly when to make a change just from 1 or 2 shots.  Since I have about 8 or 9 pieces at the moment that I am rotating, this might not see action everywhere, but when I can use it, I can expect big big numbers.


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-DP3
Respect the Game

Strapper_Squared

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Re: Sahara
« Reply #3 on: January 19, 2006, 01:13:55 PM »
Stats in profile...

Control Layout:
Pin to PAP - 2.5"
MB to PAP - 6.25"
Pin above MidLine - 1.75"

small weight hole on my VAL on line from center of grip through cg


Lane conditions:
(1) second shift synthetics, medium oil house shot, drier heads and some carry down.
(2) wood, medium-heavy house shot, oil in the middle and dry outside.

On lane condition (1), ladies league bowls prior to ours.  Typically the heads tend to be on the dry side and lots of oil is carried down in the middle....almost plays like a reverse block with carry down.  I found the Sahara to roll up early in the midlane, but not over react.  It was able to clear the heads and get to the midlane  The ball had a strong continuous arc.  Seemed to get into a heavy roll prior to reaching the carry down and for the most part wasn't greatly effected.  I had some room playing inside with a little swing.  Missing to the outside caused the ball to catch too much oil and it just wasn't strong enough to recover... partially due to the oil being pushed out there and partly due to the carry down.  Overall, the ball performed as well on this condition as anything else I have found.

On condition (2), the ball was a surprise.  I expected it to not be able to handle the volume of oil as typically I use my WMB on this condition (play 15 at the arrows out to around 8 at the break point).  WRONG!  Although I wasn't able to play as deep as with the WMB, the Sahara w/ the control layout allowed me to square up to the lane, which I hadn't been able to do in quite some time, and play a nice down and in shot.  Targeting around 8 at the arrows, the ball seemed to ignore the heads.  Once it was into the midlane area, the ball started to pick up its "signature" heavy roll.  Strong heavy roll and an even more impressive HIT.  I have gone through a lot of equipment, but never have I had a ball hit so hard.  For the first time ever, I had comments from other bowlers on how hard and how loud the ball hit.  On this shot, the ball was wonderful and out performed all my other equipment, with one exception.  This ball does need some dry.  Any shots which I tugged a little and got inside into the heavier oil would under react.  They seemed to still make it to the pocket, but lacked the drive/angle to carry.  Otherwise the ball had exceeded my expectations.  Since I have bought this ball, I haven't picked up any others.  

If anyone is looking for a GREAT ball for most house shots or medium oil tournaments, take a look at the Sahara.  If you are hoping to use this ball on toasted conditions, probably should look for something else unless you have rocket speed and/or no revs.  Overall the Sahara is one of the better balls I have thrown in quite some time.
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Dyno-Joe

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Re: Sahara
« Reply #4 on: January 20, 2006, 02:06:06 PM »
Got this piece for Christmas. Had it drilled Super Symmetrical at Hitt's Pro Shop in Cincinnati. This ball is unbelievably archy. Loves to see friction. Great hitting power. Great control. Just a great ball. The only dislike is that I didn't get when it was first released. This ball worked really well on broken down lanes. I mostly got the ball to be a step above my Slate Blue Gargoyle, and that is what it is.

romchip

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Re: Sahara
« Reply #5 on: February 10, 2006, 11:19:02 PM »
This ball is drilled as follows:

PAP-Pin 5"
PAP-MB 6"
Pin is 1 1/2 above midplane with no hole

I needed this piece in the bag because alot of Mo's stuff tips sooner than I'd like.  I was thinking (because of the advertising) that this ball was a bake ball that would be good on the late blocks.  I was thinking wrong.  Brunswick's N-Control Boost cover is very skiddish on any volume of oil, but is in my opinion one of their quickest covers to change direction when it hits friction.  The reaction of this ball is very good and the hit seems as good as anything in my bag, but it's far from a dry lane ball.  I use it typically when I have to circle the lane to play the friction right of the carrydown.  Recovery is guaranteed from anywhere as long as a bit of dry is in the recipe.  If the track is hooking, this ball is firmly planted in the bag where it's tendency to change direction can't hurt my scoring...


--------------------
Tom
Angular Acceleration Pro Shop
www.TunedBallMotion.com


Right Handed, PAP 5" right, 16mph, 350rpm, 20 degrees axis rotation, 30 degrees tilt with normal release


LuckyLefty

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Re: Sahara
« Reply #6 on: March 18, 2006, 11:01:00 AM »
Everyone asks "Is this a dry lane ball?"

Tough to define...but it is...a best of breed!

Tried once drilled forward roll...dud!

REdrilled super symmetric but shifted up 1/2 inch.

Our center is 40 feet of oil at 5:30 am and then right before league a quick wet 16 foot short run right before league over remnants.  Can you say garbage!
Result is since we are lucky to get one practice ball each lane....slick heads.
jumpingly bone dry midlanes on the left(beautiful push on the right I might add by the end of warmup). and then sloppy carrydown at the break at 40 feet!

Can you say piece of crap unfair shot!  It is.

But this ball can handle it...like no go long ball I've tried!!!

Beautiful coverstock from Brunswick(from the punisher) put on Mo's super tweakable core (from the ravage series) sives beautiful push and tremendous rev up all the way down the lane and then a beautiful recovery that can strike anywhere from one board all the way to the 8 at the breakpoint!

Standing 24 and projecting over the 10 11 area out idearlly to the 4 to 6 area!

Compared to many other balls with great coverstocks this is the cleanest push thru this jumpy treacherous midlane area of this piec-O-junk spelled with a c and ending with a p pattern.

On the shots that stray out to the 1 board by this errant bowler one can see the rev rev rev turn in to side attack leading to those clinbing sideways strikes that loves to see.  For the balls that hit 8 at the break one can see this ball just pound em back in the pit as the side motion out of this wetter point is straighter but blow em off the rack hit.  (without the push of this coverstock these could never happen!).

SO if you play on a low volume longer pattern this may be an absolute killer or a higher volume shorter pattern.  As to breakpoint shape and movement think of how great Parker Bohn has looked throwing his Vapor Zone on tour level oil on a longer shot pattern and you've got a picture of the fantastic movement of this ball but on a piece of junk no midlane oil or very spotty pattern!

When people see me throw this beautiful ball(gorgeous on the rack, thrilling on the pines).  The markings and beauty of the ball they all say we didn't know you had all that hand!....Get used to it!

Summary...if you need push but also need recovery THIS is NUMBER 1!!!

REgards,

Luckylefty
PS To compare some other balls used on this garbage pattern....Dynamic/powergroove great push and good recovery but always late..ring ring...they call me 7 pin!  (still one of my favorite balls)
Sonic Boom...not quite as clean a coverstock and then not enough core to supply the backend needed.
Panic...same as sonic boom!(still one of my favorite balls).
X factor coverstock designed for a real oil pattern(reads a little harder)
Recharge...great coverstock for real oil reads very hard wet dry!
Punisher...I call this ball the punisher plus!  While the punisher is a great ball but this ball supplies a more angular and a few more boards of backend...

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Open the door...see what's possible...and just walk right on through...that's how easy success feels..
It takes Courage to have Faith, and Faith to have Courage.

James M. McCurley, New Orleans, Louisiana

dizzyfugu

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Re: Sahara
« Reply #7 on: May 06, 2006, 01:06:00 PM »
The Sahara in a nutshell
  • Great pearl reactive for light conditions and late games. Behold what Brunswick's BVP Punisher can be
  • Sharp breakpoint shape, paired with very good length.
  • Needs a clean back end; carrydown is critical
  • Make sure you have a driller who knows to set the ball up for you
  • Frequent oil extraction recommended


    The Sahara is my 2nd venture into MoRich county, and as far as I can tell, not a bad trip! I bought my Sahara as an addition to my Shock & Awe (see my review there for reference), which works like a wicked charm for me ...until the oil is gone. Main "problem": with my lower speed, lack of oil will result in wide-open splits in just a few frames’ time.

    About me:
    Style = Stroker/mild Tweener, right-handed
    Speed = 13,5-14,5 mph
    PAP = 5" & 7/8"^
    Axis tilt = 18,7°
    Revs = 250-300 RPM at release
    For more details, check out my profile, please.

    My Shock & Awe, as a reaction benchmark, is drilled with the pin at about 4 1/2" from PAP, directly at 1:00 above the ring finger hole, and with the MB placed at ~90° from PAP for a sharp break, directly to the right of the thumb hole. The CG ended up in the palm, 1" towards PAP from grip center. It delivers a very sharp, dramatic hook that just needs some good head oil to work.

    As a remedy and a new arsenal addition for lighter conditions I was looking for something weaker that would not burn up easily, but hopefully with a similar lane performance to pull out when the Shock & Awe quits and to maintain a similar line. Additionally, the ball was to act as a "high performance option" for my running 2005/06 house league when the lanes are still fresh but the pattern is just 30'.


    Decision process:

    Knowing that the Sahara features Brunswick's state-of-the-art N'Control PowerBoost coverstock (also used on the BVP Punisher and the overseas Master Zone) the ball would get that extra length I was looking for – probably paired with a similar violent breakpoint motion as my S&A due to the medium MB core.

    Fortunately I had the opportunity to test, among other balls from fellow bowlers, 2 Punishers and a Sahara before I ordered mine. I did not like both Punishers at all: They reacted very erratic for me, much over/under, and overall not very convincing. Basically I got the impression that the inverted bell core does not work for me, because testing a Nemesis with the same BVP series core was disappointing, too.
    Finally, a friend's new Sahara (even though drilled for a low tracker and only 14 lbs. in weight and not exactly fitting my hand) worked much better for me. To my surprise, the ball moved rather in an arcing fashion - I expected it be very itchy. But this ball left a very good feeling on my house league's medium-dry shot, with nice length and a strong, consistent movement as soon as the ball would break.

    After diverse trials and observations, the Sahara looked like the perfect fit for the job at hand. So I bought one, despite the fact that it is/was quite expensive (German list price is about $230 without drilling!). But MoRich balls are rare around here, some kind of insider tip, so the “cool” factor gets a full 100% and makes the investment worthwhile . I did not regret it!


    The ball and its setup:

    Once more, credits and big respect to Michael Kraemer in Duisburg, Germany, for his drilling support, expertise and patience with the “exotic-ball-nutcase” of mine.

    My Sahara is 15 lbs., top weight unknown before drilling (see below). It has a 2¾” pin distance, CG kicked ¼" towards PAP from the line between pin and MB marker before drilling. From personal tests and my friend's experience with his Sahara, I knew that, once the ball breaks, it moves relentlessly and is almost impossible to get to the pocket if it breaks too early.
    Additional knowledge from friends’ Punishers left me with the impression that the coverstock is, even though rather mild, very “jumpy” once it hits dry ground - making the Punisher a truly sharp weapon in the right hands and a bit condition-specific. That made me cautious about the Sahara.

    Finally, the Sahara was not drilled by MoRich’s standard patterns, but for my personal specs and style. With the Shock & Awe as its stronger counterpart in mind my Sahara's pin was relatively moved up, higher and towards the track: Pin is exactly 1" at 12:00 above the finger hole and about 4¾” away from my PAP. MB was positioned at 90° from PAP in a strong position to maintain a good flip reaction, ending up at 1½” in 3:30 position from thumb hole.
    A small X-hole (only ¾” wide and 1½” deep) was necessary to make the ball legal, and the finger holes were drilled a little deeper than usual – I guess my specimen had much top weight before drilling, and the small X-hole still leaves room for future adjustments.

    =====*=====
    ===o=o=====
    ======#====
    =========x=
    ===========
    ====O=+====
    ===========

    * = Pin
    # = CG
    + = PSA marker
    x = X-Hole on PAP

    Ball picture: http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=3473652

    Silicone oval finger inserts and a urethane thumb slug completed the drilling job (all white, to match engravings and to see the ball react on the lane). Surface remained OOB: polished, probably on a 400 grit base as Brunswick's balls.


    The testing program:

    Flat 38', buffed to 40-42', sport pattern, 1994 Brunswick AnviLane:
    In its "maiden flight" my Sahara convinced me and justified my investment and buying decision. 1st game with it ever was on a played-down pair of lanes during training in my club house, after my Shock & Awe and Trauma had quit their usefulness due to oil dissipation.

    Enter the Sahara: without any ball experience and just a guess how it might react I started out with 5 strikes and a 9 spare for the first 6 frames, for a 204 game. VERY nice ball, fun to watch, confidence inspiring and with awesome carrying power.

    Like my Shock & Awe, the Sahara showed a clearly defined breakpoint - but less aggressive overall, smoother and easier to control. Yet, it moved quite a lot: I started standing at 27th board with my right shoe tip, playing across 3rd arrow and moving up to the 29th board in the following games.

    At the training sessions's end, on the more worn-down lane of the pair, the Sahara started to read the lane earlier with every shot, and therefore break too soon and tended to move towards Brooklyn - just as expected. But this was easy to control by a speed adjustment, just holding the ball at shoulder height in the pushaway instead of my normal waist height and giving myself ½' more space on the approach.

    A great ball for late games, just what I wanted it to do, and even a bit strong for this job. Pin above bridge (~5¼" from PAP) might have been enough!

    Addendum Aug 2006: I love this ball! During summer 2006 my club changed the oil pattern to a narrower oil "tongue" with buffed oil outside of 12th board up to the gutters, while rising oil volume from 17 to 22 units.
    The Sahara became my primary weapon for this fast-changing and tricky pattern and saved my butt several times in summer league (with my all-time official high game of 255 so far and 2nd place in overall net earnings ). I was able to play it in the buffer zone on the fresh pattern (up 12th board) or deeper through the oil across 3rd arrow, once the buffer zone dried up. Hit was simply amazing - just after a lot of games, when the oil was ridden down, I finally had to bag the Sahara and switch to something less aggressive like my black Pure Hammer, mostly after 3 or 4 games. Some impressions of the ball on such a broken-down condition (8MB file)



    Short, thin and spotty 32-35' Christmas tree pattern with 8 dry outside boards, Brunswick synth:
    Site of my dreaded & dry hobby house league, one of the reasons I bought this ball. I was able to play the Sahara on this condition when the lane was almost fresh and for a while after it broke down, which normally means a dramatic change of line and ball reaction.

    On the fresh short 30' pattern with slightly buffed back end to the "full" 35' the Sahara shined with length, control and carry. A nice line was standing at 31st board with my right shoe tip, and playing across 3rd arrow or, later, 1 target board to the left to compensate for the deeper approach position. The Sahara proved to be a true high end solution for this condition, I suppose that anything stronger in drilling or coverstock would have been unplayable.

    What surprised me here (again) was the ball's easy controllability. Slight changes on the approach, hand positions or speed are exactly executed, and as long as you have some oil in the heads the Sahara is anything you could ask for. Even though on a short pattern, the ball did not show a true "edgy" breakpoint shape one might expect: rather a tight, arcing move which left much room for error and is really predictable.

    After about a total of 10 games in league play, this house pattern tends to break down completely. So, when the mid lane broke away, I could feel and see that the Sahara would start burning up. Not as dramatic and sudden as my Shock & Awe, but it started lacking hitting power and was only kept in play through excessive speed. A higher address position (ball at shoulder height) compensated once more most of the lane breakdown, but the ball became too strong to be handy and comfortable. Yet, even with the higher speed, the ball's hook was not to be killed. It still moved in the back end and was nice and predictable - tribute to the med-high MB multi density core.


    Fat 40' or so long Xmas tree pattern with carrydown, brand new, probably AMF surface:
    A one-shot, since it was during holiday training games in Berlin Spandau. But I include it as a contrast to the rather dry situations mentioned before. Well, I played the pattern on 3 occasions together with the Shock & Awe, and each time things got more complicated with carrydown and oil build-up in the lane's middle part due to social bowlers.

    Generally, the Sahara had to be played 3 boards to the right with my feet compared to the S&A, and it covered less boards. Lines included a deep line, standing at 30 with my right shoe tip (33 with the S&A) and playing across 17th board at the arrows and went to a rather down-and-in shot standing 23 (25) across 12 on a lane, when a long oil tongue of 50' or more prevented ANY back end movement, not to say any predictable multi pin conversion on the left side of the pocket...
    Nevertheless, the direct comparison with the S&A proved that both balls do not like oil in the back end. On the same condition, the S&A moves a lot more, more dramatically than the Sahara, in a more "brutal" fashion. On the other side, the Sahara plays a real control ball role. Both balls complement each other very well.


    40' long, 5:1 ratio gutter-to-gutter medium crown pattern:
    Here, at Duisburg's Treff Bowling, I tested the Sahara after 6 games on a slick System300 (AMF?) surface, after struggling with my TPC Player and Vicious Attack to find a consistent line to the pocket. After having played with the Vicious Attack (it has a very similar drilling to the Sahara, surface is 1.500 grit sheen) standing at 22nd board with my right shoe tip and playing across 13th board at the arrows for a more direct line, I pulled out the Sahara to see what it would do.

    To my surprise, the Sahara was not much weaker than the Vicious Attack! Even though it was polished and definitively has weaker pearl coverstock, I could comfortably stand at 21st board and use the same visual target for pocket success.
    Comparing both ball's reaction shapes showed me, though, that the Sahara seemed to make its breakpoint move rather with the help of its core, softer and continuous, while the Vicious Attack truly gripped and made a sharper breakpoint movement when it hit the dry. I did not expect the Sahara to cover such a wide range of conditions!


    Some conclusions:

    Like the Shock & Awe, the Sahara shows a strong performance, but in a very different way. The Sahara is very forgiving (more than the S&A) and easy to handle for a medium to high MB asymmterical ball. Smooth and strong reaction, but not nervous. Impressive piece. Wow!
    I consider the ball to be ideally suited for medium to medium-dry conditions, medium length and shorter patterns in general. OOB, the Sahara might also be a very good choice for players with some hand who need length but do not want to miss the pop of a strong core on the back end. For high rev players it might even work on medium to medium-oily shots without much carry down.

    Even though this ball uses the rather mild polished N'Control PowerBoost coverstock from Brunswick, the well-known MoRich core makes it a STRONG ball for a surprising wide range of conditions. Kind of Punisher on steroids or a solid version of it. It is a versatile piece, just not suited for heavy oil and long patterns, or a total lack of oil.


    Lane reaction on medium-dry to dry conditions:
    Comparison Slate Blue Gargoyle, black Pure Hammer, MoRich Sahara

    Lane reaction on medium to medium-dry conditions:
    Comparison black Pure Hammer, Revolution Renegade, MoRich Sahara

    Lane reaction on medium conditions:
    Comparison Sahara, Awesoem Finish, Shock & Awe


    Lane utility for tested ball (pattern length vs. oil volume):

    |S M L
    |h e o
    |o d n
    |r . g
    |t
    _______
    |0 X X| Light volume
    |+ X X| Medium volume
    |X + 0| Heavy volume

    Legend:
    X = Best suited with effective control & carry
    + = Fairly suited (works, somehow, but lacks control)
    0 = Unsuited (ineffective, either slips or burns up)


    The chart concept is borrowed from Storm's 2003 print catalogue. Surface prep and drillings may change the results, it is just personal experience with my style and the reviewed ball

    IMHO, length is key for this ball: OOB you get it nicely through the heads and very far down the lane, but when the core "kicks in" (literally), the ball is hard to stop. So watch out for the drilling setup! If in doubt, put the pin ½" further away from your PAP and a bit higher than usual you'd "naturally" do.

    The ball breaks with a clear breakpoint, but it is by far not as violent as my Shock & Awe. Calling it arcing would be wrong, too... a tight breakpoint and turn with a small but controllable hook describes best the reaction I get out of my Sahara. Besides, its hook potential (at least with my setup) is limited, though, what makes deep lines beyond 4th arrow difficult for me. But the Sahara plays well between 3rd and 2nd arrow.

    Nevertheless, I can control the ball and its reaction easily through speed and hand positions, what surprises me positively. Slow down and cup the wrist, and the ball will cover more boards on the back end. Bend back the wrist and hold the ball more sideways, and you can take out any right-side multi-pin leave like the dreaded 3-6-9-10 without a wink of the eye. It is not (only) that the ball goes long and straight - it will still break and roll with just the amount of hook to get that nice sweeping angle when you need it. Best ball to control I got into my hands so far.

    Even with higher speed, the strong multi-density core will still deliver a clean breakpoint and a good back end movement. As long as you can feed the ball to the pocket (which is easy to do), this ball will carry with emphasis, like any MoRich equipment I have seen until now. But you should also not play too slowly, or it will not work properly. This could be a coverstock phenomenon, since friends' Punishers also carry better when they are "pushed" a little bit down the lane, especially when the lanes dry up.

    After my tests and ongoing experience I rate the Sahara very high, with a personal overall 9,5 out of 10. But, like the Shock & Awe, with some details to watch out for to prevent disappointments (see below).

    The Sahara is currently (May 2006) the “weakest” ball in MoRich’s line-up, the last one with the multi density core. In direct comparison, it IMHO outperforms the Punisher in any way, showing much more back end reaction and being more versatile concerning lane conditions. And, compared to other (older) Brunswick equipment, the Sahara would nicely fill the gap Brunswick currently has left open between the Smokin' Inferno and the Punisher: a snappy, pretty strong ball for medium to medium-dry conditions like the discontinued Fuze Igniter (of which it reminds me much), Command Zone ARC or the Blazing Inferno. Another ball it strongly reminds me of is Ebonite's TPC Shooter (same good control characterstics on similar conditions, but a little more light-footed).

    My personal impression so far is shared by a public review of Michael Kraemer and Achim Grabowski, both German Brunswick staffers and world class players, which I found for this ball: "A weapon for ‘drier’ lanes. MoRich produces only balls in the high end range and the Sahara is the weakest ball in MoRich's line. A ball with dual Flip block core, likewise asymmetrically like all MoRich of balls, in order to offer most drilling options. I can compare this ball only with difficulties with a Brunswick ball. It is stronger than the PUNISHER and weaker than the RAMPAGE, but, the Sahara has for instance the length of the PUNISHER paired with a still stronger final movement of the RAMPAGE. It is a thing I did not play in my time as Brunswick staff player yet. Thus, angle or lines on played or less strongly oiled courses are possible, which I could not do before. The ball always goes through the heads, without problems, moves and has an enormous effect in the pins without losing track or being diverted."
    (Source: www.spobag.de, Brunswick’s and MoRich’s distributor in Germany, own humble translation)

    Not much more to add here.

    ...except for those pesky points to watch out for, as mentioned previously:

    Dry lanes?
    Well, I'll take up this topic LuckyLefty discussed in his review (and which pops up in the BR.com MoRich forum quite frequently) and add my 2 cents: There is IMHO the (potential) misunderstanding that the Sahara was a "dry lanes" ball. It is NOT, unless you drill it to be dead! But then, you do not need the Sahara at all. The Punisher is not one either, by the way.
    The Sahara is a ball for "drier lanes" and a true high end product for this condition. Judging from the oil other MoRich products need to perform well, this still means a good amount and at least a played-down medium condition. The Sahara in box condition is a very good medium-dry to medium conditions ball, nothing less, but also not much more. Period.

    Other weaknesses?
    Yes... Like any polished pearl reactive, this ball has in inherent allergy to carrydown, spotty lanes or too much oil in general. If some oil builds up on the back end, the Sahara in box condition will, much like the Shock & Awe, even more severely, slip beyond its breakpoint and not finish well. The rather weak coverstock adds to this symptom, and it is also typical for the Punisher. In the MoRich line-up, the Sahara has a definitive place to fill and the better core makes it IMHO more versatile and controllable than the Punisher - if you have a driller at hand who knows his/her trade and your game. Touchy thing, these high MB cores, but worthwhile.

    Besides performance, the Sahara looks just great! The cobalt blue and bright purple pearl mix is nice, and the big white engravings look flashy, even precious. The colours in "real life" are much brighter and stronger than depicted on most catalogue pictures around or online.

    A special ball, but a winner for late games and light patterns. Get one, you'll love it! Another great job, MoRich!

    Addendum Nov. 2006:
    After about 100 games with my OOB Sahara I recognized recently a major loss of performance - especially the bal end reaction had become much tamer than it used to be. So I decided to put the ball into the bucket and refresh the polish, since the ball caught some scratches and nicks during summer league.
    Et voilà: the ball immediately came back to old performance, and teh coverstock is sqeaky again. I was really surprised how much oil this ball would suck up: I could see it evaporate in "clouds" as it drowned into its warm bath! Nevertheless, maintenance is easy, and if your Sahara loses some pop, consider a warm bath for it

    --------------------

    DizzyFugu - Reporting from Germany
    Team "X" website (now available in English!): http://homepage.mac.com/timlinked/
    "All that we see or seem, is but a dream within a dream..." - Edgar Allen Poe
  •  
    Edited on 26.09.2011 at 7:34 AM
    DizzyFugu ~ Reporting from Germany

    Bluff

    • Hero Member
    • *****
    • Posts: 1011
    Re: Sahara
    « Reply #8 on: August 31, 2006, 04:46:04 PM »
    My 2nd Sahara
    45 Degree x 5 1/2 from PAP mb right of thumb. Pin up 3/4
    Wow this drilling is perffect for this ball. Store alot more engery then my 1st drilling. 213, 265 , 200 not bad for first set. It fits nicely when my Action starts to check out too much. Now I can use it for true light to dry.
    --------------------
    an undrill ball for me is like having hot naked chick in front of me and not have sex with her! Yea I got Balls!!!

    Captain Stabbin

    • Jr. Member
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    • Posts: 24
    Re: Sahara
    « Reply #9 on: May 28, 2007, 08:23:26 PM »
    The MoRich Sahara is by far the most versital ball i have ever had.

    I drilled it up the first time with this pattern:

    ======*==
    ===O=O===
    ======+==
    =========
    ====O====

    The ball went about half way down the lane and started to gradually curve right into the pocket. I could strike with it, but it wasnt really the way i wanted the ball to react.

    The second time i drilled it up, it had this layout:

    ===*=====
    ===O=O===
    ======+==
    =========
    ====O====

    I put the coverstock to 4000 sanded and the ball went super long and had a very controlling backend. Then i switched it to 1000 sanded and it had a more aggresive backend.

    Any way i drilled this ball i was able to kill with it, great ball.

    Videos
    http://s150.photobucket.com/albums/s81/whitepaulpierce/Morich/?action=view¤t=4006017b.flv
    http://s150.photobucket.com/albums/s81/whitepaulpierce/Morich/?action=view¤t=c806cee7.flv

    --------------------
    Captain Stabbin

    C-G ProShop-Carl

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    • Posts: 5825
    Re: Sahara
    « Reply #10 on: June 08, 2007, 06:38:49 PM »
    Ball: Pin 4 1/2 from PAP slightly above the ring finger, MB 4 3/4 from PAP.

    Lane Conditions: I have tried it on various lane patterns.

    HOOK
    Heavy Oil: NO WAY

    Medium: If you can find friction you will be alright using the Sahara on mediums, but on a fresh house shot it is still not quite enough ball.

    Light: This is what the ball was designed for and this is what it works on the best. When the track area burns up and everything else is rolling up too soon that is when you want to pull the Sahara out of your bag.

    TOTAL HOOK:
    The Sahara was designed for dry lanes. Keep its use to dry patterns or medium/light. There is no chance of recovery when it is on oil.

    CONTROL:
    The Sahara will control overreaction backends and midlanes. For me it would come out of the bag when everything else is hooking too much.

    EXPECTED REACTION:
    I got exactly what I wanted out of this ball. I have read reviews and comments where people were saying that this ball was not a dry lane ball------I do not see that as true. I allows me to square up when the lanes are fried.

    STRENGTHS:
    Use it on dry lanes......do slightly less than medium and the Sahara will perform nicely.

    WEAKNESSES:
    It will not recover through carrydown and if the pattern is not chewed up and there is still a good amount of oil present this ball will not have enough to turn the corner.

    COMMENTS:
    A very nice piece for dry lanes. I relate its overall reaction as very close to the Track Desert Heat. There is really not a use for it on anything medium or heavier. If you need a dry lane ball and can still find one of these grab it up!


    --------------------
    Carl Hurd
    C-G Pro Shop (owner/operator)
    Youngstown Ohio


    Tag Team Member #1

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    Carl Hurd

    Austintown Ohio (Wedgewood Lanes)

    900 Global, AMF Staff Bowler

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    Morich Mark

    • Jr. Member
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    • Posts: 17
    Re: Sahara
    « Reply #11 on: September 30, 2007, 03:21:29 PM »
    Drilled two of these. The first one I had drilled has 2 7/8 Pin to PAP, 3 1/8 CG to PAP, 5 1/8 horizontal and 1 1/8 up. This ball is a great ball to handle house patterns and some sport patterns. It has a nice roll with an arcing backend. You get no over under with this ball. The layout looks like this
    ===========
    ====0=0P===
    ===========
    ======CG===
    =====0=====
    ======MB===
    The second Sahara I had drilled is for shorter oil and dried out house shots. Put the pin at 5 1/2 from PAP, CG 5 7/8 from PAP, and the MB 6 3/8 from PAP. THIS BALL IS AMAZING. Its so versatile you can play almost anywhere with it. I have taken it down and in on 7 and as deep as 17 on a fresh shot. This ball has a long motion with an even arcing backend. This ball doesnt snap off the dry but will if you have slow speed. Easily one of my favorite Morich balls. Layout looks like this.
    ===========
    ====0=0====
    =====P=====
    ===========
    =====Cg====
    =====0=====
    =======MB==

    NicholasE

    • Hero Member
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    • Posts: 1744
    Re: Sahara
    « Reply #12 on: December 20, 2007, 12:03:54 PM »
    Just got one of these used to give it a go at it. Threw it for the first time last night and it was very nice.

    My specs:
    Medium-High track
    High Revs
    16.5-19MPH

    The layout has the pin up about 2" and 1" over right of my ring finger with the MB about 4" away from the thumb and CG about a 1/4" out of line to the left. This layout is fairly weak for me so it works well for what I need it for.

    Well last night I tried this ball out for the first time. The first game was on lanes that already had 3 leauge games on them and threw it my first game. went right up the right side and made a good move on the backend and struck. The lanes were still oily and not all that dry so I just played with my TS&A's for the first 5 games or so then about the 8th game we bowled (11 games including league) I couldn't control any of my stuff and shot a lousy 184 and decided it was a VERY good time to test out the Sahara. The 9th game (12 including league) I shot a 213 with it, getting used to its reaction at this time. Then the last game we bowled, number 10 (13 games on the lane total) I went to shoot a 269 with the sahara.

    By this time the lanes were absolutly fried. My friend who doesn't seem to think he needs a dry lane ball had to play with a plastic ball because none of his stuff would stay on the lane and neither would any of my other high performance equipment. So, I'm saying this to show that this ball will do good on dry dry dry lanes.

    The lanes we very dry and had some carry down. I had been struggling to kick the 10pin out a few times last night but once I switched to this ball that was all over. This layout and lanes the ball would just turn a little in the midlane and just skate the rest of the way to the pins. Probably covering about 5 boards total making it VERY easy to play dry lanes. While this ball can be very aggressive it can also work well for dry lanes giving the right layout for whats needed.

    Overall the best ball I have ever thrown on dry lanes hands down!
    --------------------
    MoRich bowling - Better take some Viagra, you don't want to go soft throwing a MoRich!

    http://www.ballreviews.com/Forum/Replies.asp?TopicID=74110&ForumID=16&CategoryID=5

    gr8scott6

    • Jr. Member
    • **
    • Posts: 21
    Re: Sahara
    « Reply #13 on: December 22, 2007, 03:57:06 AM »
    Had this drilled per the high track control specs. Let me just say right off the bat, Mo's idea of "drier lanes" may well be vastly different than yours!

    This ball is NOT, IMO, for dry lanes. I think the term "dry-ish lanes" might be more appropriate. The LM Straight Flush is a dry lane ball. This ball is for Medium or slightly less than medium oil, and can be used effectively on a fresh THS.

    Having said that, this is a really nice ball. It makes a nice turn and crushes the pocket, and it carries well. I'm very pleased with it. Just don't expect to use it on the burn--it'll hook WAY too much!
    --------------------
    "Love God, laugh more, spend more time with the ones you love, play with children, do good to those in need, and eat more ice cream. There is more to life than bowling." Scott F. Guinn

    chocky_o

    • Jr. Member
    • **
    • Posts: 5
    Re: Sahara
    « Reply #14 on: January 14, 2009, 10:10:59 PM »
    Not sure what the MOjave can do, but this ball blew me away when I threw it on dry lanes.  It was like using a normal high reaction ball, starting the flip at 40 as if there was a ton of oil.  I have used "dry" lane balls but they are usually just low reaction balls, this is different.  I can still throw from the 20 to the 4 and see a massive reaction.  Still new to it, but initial impression is that this is a serious ball.  First game 257, I am a 177 bowler(both of which I can prove).