Hi Everyone, got a Slash punched up by Rick on Friday night (7/02/05)
I wanted a ball that would be my benchmark ball to read lanes on a THS or First Ball out of the bag for tournaments. I was looking for a ball that wouldn't be too "Jumpy" off the dry, so I figured a Pin under the bridge with the CG swung out on the midline would do the trick.
Track Slash
Weight: 15.4lbs (Before Drilling)
Pin: 3"
Top Weight: 2.75 oz
Drilled by Rick Leong at Ten Pins Pro Shop in Alameda, California
Ball Supplied By R & D Bowling Supply on eBay
Layout:
5 1/2 x 3 3/8 mb (Pin under bridge) (Ignore the specs in the pic hehe)
Weight Hole looks to be on midline 5 1/2" over on my VAL
My Specs:
Style = Power Tweener
Track = High (Pap = 5.5 > 5/8 ^)
Speed = 18-19 mph off the hand
RevRate = 325-400 (approximate)
Axis Tilt = Around 11.5-12.5 inch track = 7-13 avg degrees axis tilt
SIDE BY SIDE COMPARISONS: Both the GP2 & Animal had Layouts with the MB right inside of the VAL. So these balls are set up to read the mids a little earlier. The GP2 serves as my "Heavy Oil Ball," and the Animal (Clean N' Polish surface adjustment), served as my Medium-Heavy Oil ball.
PICTURES OF THE BALLS THROWN: (Layout Specs are approximate - Rick has the official Specs at the shop)
SLASH BOX :
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0703/128177/RamtartsBowlingBalls/Slash_Box.jpgSLASH :
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0703/128177/RamtartsBowlingBalls/Slash_Layout.jpgGP2 :
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0703/128177/RamtartsBowlingBalls/GP2_Layout.jpgANIMAL :
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0703/128177/RamtartsBowlingBalls/Animal_Layout.jpgSURFACE: Rick hit the ball with Magic Shine at first, but I believe he knocked it off with a scotchbrite pad and some Clean N' Smooth. We wanted a smoother reaction, so we knocked off the Magic Shine. Rick will chime in since he remembers better hehe.
OIL CONDITION BOWLED ON: Medium Oil (More oil in the middle portion of the lane) - Medium Light with some carry down (Leftover shot from Saturday Night). My home house is 19 years old with Wood Lanes.
REACTION: I wanted a ball that was smooth off the dry and I got just that. I figured a pin under the bridge would do the trick (5.5" from PAP) so avoid "Jumpiness," off the dirt/dry boards. I definitely got a smooth reacting ball off the dry. I'm happy with that.
HOOK: As far as hook goes, the reaction I get from this ball is a very even arc type reaction. I am a power tweener with a High Track, so it was nice to see a ball that didn't "overreact," in the last 10-15 feet. It definitely had a "Controllable Arc," type hook look in the backend.
CONTROL: Well After throwing this ball for about 3-4 games, I know why people like to layout their Slash for Control. It simply has great control. With this layout, I changed hand positions and tweaked the ball roll a little bit without sacrificing overreaction. One thing I noticed is that this ball did not Flare too much. I got a maximum 2" inches of flare. Also, if you see carrydown like I did, watch your speed or it will skate through the conditioner. Speed control on more oil was also a factor. With the GP2 & Animal, I was able to open the lanes up more. The Slash performed better while squaring up. Control was still there and I liked that a bunch.
HIT: Boy, for a control reacting type ball this ball can crush them. I was surprised, because I was expecting a mellower pin reaction than my stronger stuff (GP2 & Animal). Heck was I wrong. This ball is very continuous through the pindeck. I witnessed the ball driving through the 8-pin on most of my flush strikes. This ball even left 2 "9-pins." Not that I was happy about it, but boy did this ball "Drive & Hit." This ball also scrambled the pins a lot. I had a few messenger shots and I was very satisfied with the pin reaction.
READABILITY: The ball is very even through the whole lane. Like I said earlier, the hook shape pattern resembles an "Even Arc Shape." I did notice that the ball did not like the carrydown. The Animal & GP2 responded well to the carry down and cut through some of it. The Slash didn't have enough strength to cut through it like the other "Oilers" did. I'll definately use this ball as my first ball out of the bag benchmark houseshot ball. It will definitely help me read the lanes. If the ball goes too long, then I know I'm shooting on a longer pattern....etc. etc.
BALL & SHOT COMPARISONS (Ideal Strike Lines on the condition I bowled on stated above)
GP2 - 23-20 boards at the arrows swung out to about the 7-8 boards
Animal - 19-16 boards at the arrows swung out to about the 10 board
Slash - 15-10 boards at the arrows swung out to around 2-3 boards
OVERALL: Great ball for the price. Great advice from the Track Staffers & BallReviews members alike - Thank You! Thanks to my ball driller Rick Leong for his expertise and R & D bowling supply on eBay. D_Pat, you were also a great help with the layout ideas...thanks bud. Thanks to EXCALIBER for the BallReview layout (I copy & pasted the format from your Slash review, hope you don't mind hehehe)
I finally have a ball that I can be comfortable with. It took time getting used to throwing the "Oil Monsters," as my first ball out of the bag, but now I finally have a true "First Ball out of the Bag." Most conditions I bowl on out here in the S.F. Bay don't show a Heavy Concentration of oil (unless it is a tournament), so this will be perfect. If you want a ball with control and power, this is the one. I will keep you guys updated and roll this ball on different conditions & bowling centers. Drill it strong and I imagine this ball will be even deadlier. Have fun with this one guys!
Regards,
Ramtart
Edited on 7/4/2005 1:49 PM
Edited on 7/4/2005 1:50 PM
Edited on 7/4/2005 1:59 PM
Edited on 7/5/2005 11:46 PM
