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Author Topic: Secret Agent  (Read 14387 times)

admin

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Secret Agent
« on: December 31, 1969, 06:00:00 PM »
Ball NPS Score: Not Available
Coverstock: R2Sâ„¢ LT Hybrid
Weight Block: “EMC” Enhanced Motion Control (14-16 pounds)
Ball Color: Silver/Plum/Ocean Blue All colors do vary somewhat from the picture shown.
Fragrance: Plum
Ball Finish: 4000-Grit Abralonâ„¢
RG Differential: 0.052 (Medium-High Flare) on a scale of .000-.080 Low Flare-High Flare
RG Average: 2.46 (Very Low) on a scale of 2.43-2.80 Very Low-High Break Point
Recommended Lane Conditions: Medium to Heavy Oil

 

thegame

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Re: Secret Agent
« Reply #1 on: July 17, 2007, 12:04:02 AM »
Just got the Secret Agent along with the T Road Solid, and here's my take on the Secret Agent so far.  Had it drilled stacked leverage, and this may be one of the strongest Storm balls I've ever had.  As much hook as the Fear Factor, or Trauma Response, or even as far back as the La Nina, but much more effecient.  Whereas those were all highly loaded particle balls that had a tendency to burn up unless you were on a flood, the Secret Agent is a part reactive, part particle that gives more length than any of those balls, but has an amazing backend.  On my easy house shot, I couldn't throw this ball wide enough that it didn't come back, and on a somewhat more challenging shot, the ball made a nice aggressive move into the pocket, opening up the lane a bit more than my Shift.  The Secret hooks a few boards more than the Special Agent (I know I'll flip flop those names more than once), getting a more aggressive move off the breakpoint, while my Special Agent is a little smoother, but still covers almost as many boards.  If you were to polish the Secret Agent, you may mistake it for an original Trauma, but in it's dull state that's where the comparisons end.  The Secret Agent may not have quite as much overall hook as the Paradigm Passion, but you can get it out there with confidence knowing it's got that big backend that can get you out of trouble and mix light hits well.  Congrats Storm, this with the T Road Solid is a nice 1-2 punch for medium heavy-heavy oil conditions.

toomanytenpins

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Re: Secret Agent
« Reply #2 on: July 25, 2007, 07:05:11 PM »
i just threw my secret agent for the first time, I must say it appears to be a pretty good ball. practice days at the bowling alley so shot was a little worn but still enough to hold the ball to the pocket on good shots.probably 38 ft xmas tree with no oob. I am a stroker i guess low ball speed and revs. Ball is 1.5 inch pin 3and 3/4 top before drilling. Drilled 4 inches from pap just below the ring with cg at 45 degrees. For reference i was also using my battle and odessey.
   Ball is clean thru the heads with awesome recovery. Long and strong. Great carry. The ball doesnt have as much backend as the battle but it might be a board or 2 stronger than the odessey on this type of shot. I ended up standing 39 hitting 4 arrow out to 5 and to the pocket. Nice solid sound when it hits the pocket and ten in the pit for sure. I probably could have done without it as i was playing it in the same area as the other two ,but that doesnt make this ball any less that it is which is a good piece. It is longer than the battle which would make it more versatile on shorter shots. It is also a nice archer which i like because it continues right thru the pin deck . I noticed no burn out even on this broken down shot. I cant see anyone not tearing up a ths with this ball and at 4000 grit man ,the possibilties are endless considering my battle is at 800 I would have to think with some surface tweaking this could be a very good heavy oil ball. Much stronger than my no mercy was fresh. I cant wait to bowl on a first shift shot and watch it open up the lanes.


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my style, the art of bowling without bowling

LSU 2003

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Re: Secret Agent
« Reply #3 on: July 28, 2007, 03:32:35 PM »
Stats:
Speed: 17-18 mph (Qubica- measures at pin deck)
Lane type: Synthetic
Line: 2nd arrow
Right Handed

Got the Secret Agent a couple of weeks ago for use on medium to heavy oil.  I had the ball drilled with the pin 3 3/8 from the PAP.  The ball does not hook off of the lane but it does begin to hook early in heavy oil and continues to drive thru the pins.  Pin carry on light hits is excellent.  The only problem is when the heads dry out the ball starts to hook too soon and that is when I will switch to my Depth Charge or HRG.  Overall another great ball by Storm!

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Storm Secret Agent
Storm Depth Charge
Storm Core Power HRG
Storm Shift
Fire Quantum

c-hop

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Re: Secret Agent
« Reply #4 on: July 30, 2007, 12:41:54 PM »
Drilled Up my Secret Agent last week.
Here is the layout
http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL1646/7429724/15601049/268116381.jpg

About Me
Speed 16-17
400 RPM's

At First when i tried the ball with its 4000 Grit OOB surface i did not like it. I was on a Fresh THS but still could not get this ball to push down the lane. I Hit it with Storm's Particle Polish and left it at 4000. This ball is a very versitile ball. I played 2nd arrow and 4th arrow. Strait up this ball holds pocket very well and doesnt jump off the breakpoint due to its R2S Hybrid Coverstock. 4th arrow this ball is very smooth rolling and very powerful when it hits the pocket. Just make sure you have enough to get it back or you will leave flat 10's. The 2nd house i tried it at this ball was money. This House was a Fresh THS with Super Clean Backends. This ball really shined would react very strong but a smooth rollin arc. I will be looking to really try to get on some oil and try this ball at a lower grit. Good Luck to all and Remember Bowl up a STORM.
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Chris

Russell

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Re: Secret Agent
« Reply #5 on: August 22, 2007, 12:19:17 AM »
Drilled 5" 45* pin 1.5" up from midline, hole on VAL even w/thumb

Me:
Power Tweener
Medium Speed

I drilled this ball during the summer and threw it on a couple of patterns and was not impressed at all.  It seemed to pick up the lane early, but never want to change direction.  I waited until I was able to throw it on a house shot (had surgery) and am still unimpressed....it seems to read the lane early, but never want to get into a roll.

I will be selling this ball and the other one I have at the shop....don't see where it will fit into my arsenal.
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http://www.myspace.com/rlrussell

The artist formerly known as "jabroni"

Los300

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Re: Secret Agent
« Reply #6 on: September 23, 2007, 03:13:39 PM »
I drilled a Secret Agent recently and I like it thus far. It picks up early and has a strong, continuous, yet controllable backend arc that leads to better than average pin carry. I feel that the ball is best if left with some surface on it so it will be able to get into the proper roll. With too much shine the ball tends to squirt too long bringing 2-10 splits into the equation. I feel that the ball starts about 2-3 feet sooner than the Special Agent and does not backend near as much. The Special Agent finished about 3-4 boards more on the back than the Secret Agent. Basically I believe that the Secret Agent is a strong, go to ball that should be thrown more on a straight line than some of the other Agent releases and is is easy to read and would be great on a tough PBA or Sport pattern.

UplandBowler

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Re: Secret Agent
« Reply #7 on: October 12, 2007, 10:27:11 AM »
Hi All!  

This is my first post on BallReviews.com.  I utilize this site a lot when looking for a new ball.  I've recently gotten back into bowling after a 10-15 year layoff from leagues. I have now been bowling in leagues for two summers and now my second winter.  I average around 199 - 201.  I am a tweener with a high track.  

I've been bowling with some five year old equipment: a Track Threat and Track Freak.  The Threat started to die so I bought a Shift as a replacement.  So far, I am not a fan of the Shift.  The Shift seem to leave a lot of corner Pins even though I am a tweener and put a decent amount of revs on the ball.

However, I just purchased a Secret Agent with 1.5 inch pin and approximate 3 oz of Top Weight.  Got is drilled 4 X 4 with pin right below my ring finger.  The only practice that I had with the ball before bowling in league was the 10 minutes of warm-up prior.  I was bowling on a fresh THS with medium oil.  The Secret Agent was clean through the heads, picked up a the mid lanes well, and then curved to the pocket and smashed the pins.  

The Secret Agent carried the high hits and light hits well.  I could play in the oil or through it out to the wall, the ball would carry both shots.  I ended up shooting 234, 234, 235 for a 703 series.  This is a great ball and would recommend it to anyone.

thefunnierman

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Re: Secret Agent
« Reply #8 on: October 15, 2007, 12:17:02 PM »
THE SECRET AGENT...

--0-0---
---p----
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------cg-
---O-----


This Secret Agent is a great ball. The R2S is the best coverstock Ive ever bowled with. The Secret was oob very very smooth and very very strong. A great strong arch into the pocket. It reads the lane extremely well. The carry is alright but its not the balls fault. I ended up buffing it up with a tiny tiny touch of polish and it tamed it out a little bit... Great ball!
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PAP 4.75> by .625^
Revs=  about 450 rpm
Axis=  medium

Visit the Strike Zone Pro Shop in Brunswick, GA!!! Silver level coaches Wesley Jones and Dave Sill would be glad to help you.  www.tgistrikezone.com

Bigmike

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Re: Secret Agent
« Reply #9 on: December 01, 2007, 01:11:41 PM »
See stats for profile.

Lay Out: 4.5" from PAP under my ring finger. I put a weight hole 2" down on my VAL after I threw it for a few games to increase the flare slightly more in the midlane.

Surface: I had left it box which is 4000 abr.

Purpose: To give myself a ball that might be able to be used as a control ball on longer patterns on the fresh backends that some tournament conditions have.

Initial Observations: I have used this in a few PBA regionals and also on our PBA Experience league patterns. I used it on the Shark, Scorpion, and Viper on Pro-Anvilane and wood with guardian. The motion was early and controllable.

Final thoughts: This ball was smooth on the back with solid motion. One thing the ball did not do was jump too strongly off the friction. On long patterns with fresh backends, tweeners can get in trouble because of the stripped back ends. Tweeners have to open up their angles to accommodate the sharpness of the fresh backends and play the half ten/flush 4 pin reaction until the lanes settle down somewhat. I didn't get a chance to really play with the surfaces as much as I would have liked to see what versatility this ball might have had. Pin under drillings are really weak for my high track and I sold this to a friend who has more axis tilt and tracks further away from the grip than me. This one seems like more of a niche ball that would appeal to tournament caliber players looking to add some pieces to their bag as compliments or gap balls. The motion is pretty solid and reeks of control

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Mike Craig-Columbus, OH
"Tell me Cup, how does a great ball striker like you shoot an 83? Well I lipped out this putt on 18......"

Mike Craig - Storm Bowling Amateur Staff - Westerville, OH

r0adrunner400

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Re: Secret Agent
« Reply #10 on: December 06, 2007, 04:36:09 PM »
Ball weight: 15 lbs

I just bought this ball today and it was the best ball ive ever used! I got it drilled specifically for me, and no matter what kind of bowler u are it will give u good results.  My scores in just one game improved dramatically from what i was throwing a few minutes prior with my crappy K-mart ball.  This is seriously a hard hitter, it finds the pocket no matter how u throw it, and doesnt leave hard spares.  It needs med to high oil to perform well, truly a keeper.
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John "JTW" Woscek


-Trying to get back into the sport, regaining my confidence with every last roll.

tommygn

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Re: Secret Agent
« Reply #11 on: December 28, 2007, 01:33:40 PM »
I drilled a Secret Agent with the pin at 4 3/4, and the 6 3/4 mass bias mark half way between my VAL line and ball track (PAP = 5 3/8 x 3/8 up). This drilling put the pin slightly into my ring finger hole.

I wanted this ball to be the first ball out of the bag for league conditions. I have a Special Agent with 2000 abralon, and the pin lower, and an Agent polished with Xtra Shine with the pin above the ring finger. I drilled this to fit in between.

The box finish gave me a little too early read of the lane. I proceeded to polish the cover with Xtra shine, and then resanded with a slightly used 4000 abralon pad. This produced more length with a nice move in the backend. It gives me more control of the backends than the Agent, and more continuation than the Special Agent.

This is a perfect "fit" ball between the Agent and Special. Like I said earlier, I drilled this ball to be the first out of the bag on league night. I have found that I can go three games with it, with moving left or right depending on carrydown, or breakdown, drier, or tighter, without having to switch balls. My Special Agent likes to go up the boards when they are tight, but not so much inside out as they breakdown; the Agent likes to go inside out when they dry out, but not up the boards when they are tighter.
The Secret Agent will go up the boards when a little tighter, as well as inside out when the lanes dry out. That makes this ball a good choice for a one ball in the bag bowler.

This is yet another excellent ball from Storm. Don't be afraid to tweak the cover a bit to give you the reaction you want.



God creates us with a blank canvas, and the "picture" we paint is up to us. Paint a picture you like and love!

Angelfire

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Re: Secret Agent
« Reply #12 on: January 24, 2008, 09:09:47 PM »
Secret Agent Layout:
PAP: 5 1/3" and 1 1/8 up
Pin: 3" to 3.5"
Layout: Pin right of ring finger 3 3/4" from PAP. CG center of gripline.
Surface: OOB then changed to 1000 grit abralon sanded.
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k13/killing_machine76/StormBalls003.jpg
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIQ5CLKxNrc

With the R2Sâ„¢ LT Hybrid coverstock on the Secret Agent, this ball gave me some decent length with somewhat of an arc angular backend depending on the type of lane conditions. I tried it for while with the OOB surface in my league and this ball is very smooth going down the lane. On a fresh shot with about 39ft. of med/heavy oil this ball has very good carry and predictable on the breakpoint. Very good for play straight up the 8 board or if you need to play an down and in shot. It really starts to open up the lanes after a few games with the particle/solid cover and you can tell when it's time to move a few boards to adjust your angle (definitely a soaker). Left alot of 9 and 10 pins once I started moving left toward the 15-18 board and it does handle carrydown o.k. but  likes to leave that 10 pin standing. On heavy oil or longer pattern oil, this ball does not do quite well with the OOB unless you really slow down on the ball speed.

I tweaked with the coverstock and took it down to 1000 grit sanded with some abralon pads and the SA hooks about a foot or more sooner than at 4000 grit. It's great that way if you need it to hook early on alot of oil. Carry is just as good and likes the send pins flying. Overall, I'm pleased with it and going to keep scoring some high games with this one.
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"Never, never, never quit"- Winston Churchill
http://www.youtube.com/user/retribution76

H Man

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Re: Secret Agent
« Reply #13 on: May 15, 2008, 03:43:36 PM »
Specs: Tweener Layout: 3" from PAP outside of ring finger CG 4.5" under ring finger,no weight hole, 1000 grit Abralon. Ball is clean thru the heads like every Storm ball but, picks up  in the mid and rolls smooth to pocket in HEAVY OIL. Hits like a Mack truck. That boom was the sound of thunder and the STORM is comin'........ LOL
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"If you cannot except what happens once the ball leaves your hand.... QUIT!!!"
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Paradigm
Attitude Shift
Shift
Secret Agent
Sure Fire
T-Road Solid
Tropical Storm

Bigmike

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Re: Secret Agent
« Reply #14 on: June 19, 2008, 02:58:08 PM »
See stats for profile. Drilled second one to try out

Lay Out for Secret # 2: 4.75" from PAP slightly over my ring finger at a 70* angle. This would be a 70/4.75/35 dual-angle drilling. I did not put a weight hole so the direction change would be minimal and also to not promote it to over flare and burn up too quickly.

Surface: I have been leaving this at 2000 abr.

Purpose: To give myself a ball that might be able to be used as a control ball on medium patterns on the fresh backends that some tournament conditions have.

Initial Observations: I took this to Nationals in Alberquerque and have also used this on some house patterns, the USBC Masters, and on the Scorpion. I have also bowled on PBA X league patterns on the Viper, Chameleon, and TOC pattern. This layout with 2000 is excellent for going up the lanes and bringing the breakpoint closer. I can back my hand out it and pipe it up the outside boards and blow racks up.

Final thoughts: I had to try this ball again only this time with a pin over lay out. My track is so high that pin under drillings run the risk of flaring across the fingerholes/wt. holes. Plus this a hybrid particle cover and my ball roll is early and that is not good for this type of ball.

This ball wrecks them on league patterns because it is strong enough to roll up out of the puddle in the middle or can be "piped" up the dryer boards just on the edge of the oil line. For a tournament arsenal, I will have to pick my spots. I should be able to take it up to 4000abr or even lightly shine it and get great use on shorter patterns like Viper and Cheetah. With the PBA tweaking the Cheetah, this should be the perfect cover to fight thru the initial over/under the "new" cheetah starts out as. Once it opens up, I should have the option to move in and swing it to the gutter or stay right and pick up ball speed to keep it on line. Longer patterns will be a little more of a challenge as this ball does not create a quick reaction to the friction for playing inside with. It will give me the option to take it to 500abr and move to the right near the out of bounds and go at them from the outside on the longer patterns.

At any rate, this ball gives me several options to attack the lanes with by altering surface or speed/release and will be a keeper for both leagues and tournaments.
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Mike Craig-Columbus, OH
"Tell me Cup, how does a great ball striker like you shoot an 83? Well I lipped out this putt on 18......"

Mike Craig - Storm Bowling Amateur Staff - Westerville, OH