Here are my observations tonight during practice. I compared my Slash (with new surface adjustment) and my Heat (OOB condition).

Condition: 19 Year old wood lanes. Medium oil and felt like a shorter pattern (probably 36 feet). Leftover shot from open play with some carry down and decent backends (but not super clean backends) No noticable hang, but carrydown was present.

Pic of the layouts: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0703/128177/RamtartsBowlingBalls/layouts.jpg

Track Heat (Box Condition)
Layout: Pin over bridge 5 1/2 x 3 3/4

Playing approximately 18 (arrows) - 6 (breakpoint)

Characteristics: This ball wouldn't quit on the backend. I could move inside the oil line and feed it. The ball would make a move once encountering the dry boards down lane. Definitely could open it up with this ball. The ball cleared the heads real nicely and made a more deliberate turn on the backend than the smoother reacting Slash

Track Slash (Brunswick Rough Buff Solution applied to it after a Green & then Grey Scotchbrite pad was put to the ball -Thanks to Jonathan Ng!)
Layout: Pin under bridge 5 1/2" x 3 3/8

Playing approximately 12 (arrows) - 5 (breakpoint)

Characteristics: This ball is definitely much more smoother reaction wise off the dry. The only thing is, I couldn't play as deep as I did with the Heat. Playing the same line as the heat (around 18-19 to about the 5-6 boards at the breakpoint), I would leave washouts. Moving right about five boards with my feet did the trick and I was back in the pocket again.

Very even arcing ball, but still hit very hard. Great ball to combat a wet/dry pattern. The ball was hit with a green scotch-brite, then grey scotch-brite pad and then Brunswick Rough Buff solution was applied to it on a paper towel on the spinner. After this was done, he dunked it in a bucket of hot water for about 5 minutes. (Previous to the cleaning & oil extraction the ball had 50 games on it). Great benchmark ball to read the lanes with.

Closing Comments: Before we changed the surface on the Slash, its' original OOB cover was hit the Clean N' Sheen. In my opinion, the ball was much stronger when I first got it, but still very tame and controllable in the backend. When the lanes get kinda squirrely, I'll still pull this ball out to keep me around the pocket.

I guess the key word for the Slash I have right now is "Control."
Janet Jackson, eat your heart out! LOL

Hope this helps!

To get a good idea of how I throw the ball, see my profile or check out this video made I few months ago.
http://home.comcast.net/~rd_torres/DELTA_Vs_GP2_Vs_ANIMAL.WMV



All the best,
Macho Man RAMdy Savage *Oh yeah DIG IT!*
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Pedro: If you vote for me, all of your wildest dreams will come true. Napoleon Dynamite

Edited on 11/19/2005 10:21 AM

Hey Ram,
I had my Heat drilled yesterday. The layout is very close to yours, but with out the weight hole. Your review is definately accurate, The Heat doesn't quit on the backend. What type of polish do you use on the ball?
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Buck '05