Is Black Widow a good choice?

[CY24]

I am a left handed stroker and i play a house that usually has flying backends on my side. Ive never owned hammer before, but i have heard a lto of good things about this new ball. I would love some advice on purchasing one or maybe even the No Mercy. Any help? Thank You

[oldvalefty]

Mee too.

Pin above the bridge - mb just outside (left) of the thumb......

Awesome.....

[BlackWidow95]

I have heard mixed feedback on the No Mercy, everyone that I talk to in my hometown and the 3 proshops I often visit say its unpredictable and very inconsistant and they don't recommend it.. But, if you were gonna get the No Mercy, talk to the guy named Pincrusher in here, he loves it and can probably help you out a whole lot..

The Widow on the other hand is pretty much loved by everyone I know and from the most part everyone here(who owns it). I have seen more lefty's use the Widow than righties in my league and from what you have said about your style, it seems it will fit perfectly..

But, as I said, if you have questions on the No Mercy talk to Pincrusher, I am sure he would be happy to help ya out!! ;)

[Daorge]

I have both, and love them both, I use the no mercy for heavier oil and the bw when the lanes start to break down. I find both are consistant, and both have great pin action. I think it really depends how you bowl and if you can make slight adjustments in your style to be consistant when the lanes break down or whatever. Alot of inconsistancy isnt in the ball but rather the bowler (atleast from what ive seen).

You will see more people throw the bw as to the no mercy though, it is after all one of the top selling balls out right now.

^^ and blackwidow you really need to drop whatever grudge you have about pincrusher liking the no mercy, its starting to get annoying to see you respond to every no mercy thread about ask pincrusher he knows all about hte no mercy blah blah blah

[BlackWidow95]

I have both, and love them both, I use the no mercy for heavier oil and the bw when the lanes start to break down. I find both are consistant, and both have great pin action. I think it really depends how you bowl and if you can make slight adjustments in your style to be consistant when the lanes break down or whatever. Alot of inconsistancy isnt in the ball but rather the bowler (atleast from what ive seen).

You will see more people throw the bw as to the no mercy though, it is after all one of the top selling balls out right now.

^^ and blackwidow you really need to drop whatever grudge you have about pincrusher liking the no mercy, its starting to get annoying to see you respond to every no mercy thread about ask pincrusher he knows all about hte no mercy blah blah blah


Grudge?? I don't think you know what you are talking about at all.. He bowls with the No Mercy and loves it and does very well with it, so why not go to him and ask for help?? If I had a No Mercy and struggled with it and needed help after reading some of his posts I would simply ask him.. So I really don't think you know what your talking about.. at all..

Pincrusher hasn't left me a response.. So I really don't believe yours was needed..

[fuzzrocks5285]

The Black Widow is sick. a great rolling ball & it doesn't hurt that i just shot my first 300 tonight with it!

The No Mercy is gonna be my next ball. my friend went 289-279-279 for an 847 last thursday with it in league right out of the box.

[bowler91]

great scores. .. Still waiting for my BW

[dw800seeker]

I have 5 series in league with my Black Widow.

1st game out of box was 300 with 766 series.

Second night I bowled 650 series with two 240s.

Third night I shot 2 200 games and had 599 series.

Fourth night I shot a 655-ish series with 3 games over 200.

Tonight I opened in 10th shooting 188 in first game and then shot 234 and 225 for 647 series.

Before the Black Widow I would struggle to find a ball to go to in the third game. This ball allows me to move a little left and continue to shoot big scores.

I am probably a stroker with a 14-17 mph ball. I start over 2nd arrow and move toward the 3rd as the night progresses. I start around 22 with my right foot and move left toward about 26-27 as the night progresses.

My book average is 188. However, my average is now over 200 in 2 of 3 leagues. 191 and rising in third league. My goal is to be over 200 in all three leagues by March.:)

I can not recommend the Black Widow enough with my drilling of pin 1/2 inch or so under fingers. Ball is hungry for 1-3 pocket but is very predictible so that major adjustments are not necessary as lanes become drier.

[hammeredinkansas]

Just got mine last night and love it. I don't know enough to tell you all the technical layout stuff (that's why we have pros...improtant to find one who will work with you). I needed a ball for fresh, medium oil. Our league is the first to bowl on a new spray. My pearl ball was slipping and sliding the 1st couple games. The BW was perfect! Oil...what oil?

[ScubaSteve]

the black widow is a phenominal ball key is to lay it out for you wish hammer would list some layouts for medium track players they have layouts for low tracks and high tracks but seem to have forgot about us guys in the middle for all of the posts about the no mercy the ball hits like a truck but i have also noticed a lil over under with the 1:30 layout could be cause i track in the middle maybe the guys from hammer could help us out ....

[walc]

Hey ScubaSteve... all you need to do is jump on the hammer site and ask the question (Ask An Expert) and you will get a response about which layout to use!! I have a low track and I've emailed Brian over the time about drilling 4 or 5 different balls and he has been extremely helpful...

[thetrainmin]

The Widow is meant to go long. I wouldn't fight that. If you want early, with mid lane action, I feel there is a better Hammer for you. I'm not sure which one. I've only shot a widow and am convinced you better roll it like it shows. Pick a spot, put it on a "rail" with a short, sharp b-line action to the pocket. In my experience there is less room for error this way. Not that I have much but, the ball works for me. I practiced today on a terrible lane and emulated Chris Barnes' shot he used today. The ball he was using had the pin in the same location mine is placed in my widow. I know that may not mean anything but I was rollin 200+'s without my spare ball. I've only been bowling for a few months and couldn't be happier. The more creative I get the more trouble I get in. And I'm getting it polished tomorrow. Thanks for the help everyone! It's also true what they say. This ball can work fairly well anywhere. The widow is a great ball for someone who refuses to carry no bag larger than a 2ball. And by the way. My biggest training aid was lots of practice on a great lane with a speedometer. That helped tremendously.

[jedi47]

I've only found 1 condition where the Black Widow doesn't work,,,,,,oil laid double thickness gutter to gutter down to 48 or 50 ft (the dreaded Exxon Valdez pattern), that I see every Tuesday night.

[JoshWithrow]

I've only found 1 condition where the Black Widow doesn't work,,,,,,oil laid double thickness gutter to gutter down to 48 or 50 ft (the dreaded Exxon Valdez pattern), that I see every Tuesday night.

ROFL!!! I've NEVER seen an oiling pattern like this. I've seen old run down wood lanes... which sound almost like the behavior that I'm imagining that you're describing... but no such oiling pattern lol

Luckily, my house recently got all new lanes installed... Synthetic (Fiber Reinforced Aluminum Oxide). They seem to be a "trickier" shot than what I'm used to bowling on, but I accept the challenge ;)

[jedi47]

It's a sad, but true, fact that the lanes in one house I bowl in ARE oiled with the Exxon Valdez pattern....And, the oil they use has the consistancy of 10W-30

[thetrainmin]

I've only found 1 condition where the Black Widow doesn't work,,,,,,oil laid double thickness gutter to gutter down to 48 or 50 ft (the dreaded Exxon Valdez pattern), that I see every Tuesday night.

Amen brother! My tuesday is like that too. I got a zilla drilled to hook like a prick and I'm ecstatic. And that shit is gutter to gutter. Some say it's just plain wrong. But that's what makes bowling so fun. Doin well on tough shots! My widow is nearly worthless there. The Zilla is a true monster.

[thetrainmin]

ROFL!!! I've NEVER seen an oiling pattern like this. I've seen old run down wood lanes... which sound almost like the behavior that I'm imagining that you're describing... but no such oiling pattern lol

Luckily, my house recently got all new lanes installed... Synthetic (Fiber Reinforced Aluminum Oxide). They seem to be a "trickier" shot than what I'm used to bowling on, but I accept the challenge ;)

Ur right these lanes I shoot on are old run down natty and tough. I do feel it is like a double exxon shot though. The outsides are plain evil. Thats fun! Hell, Stevie Wonder has bowled a 620 on blocked off synth shots.

[bbjunior08]

CY24,

The people I've seen that don't like the NM are the ones with #1 layout and have problems being mechanically consistent.

I have recently purchased the NM with #2 layout and am a stroker/tweener. I can play any part of the lane and the ball is consistant. However, like anything else it's not on "autopilot". You still have to throw a good ball.

As a stroker, you won't be quite as sensitive to any over/under as those who throw alot of rev's. Personally, I believe you can score better using an aggressive ball with a softer, more consistent style. The BW will be about 2-3 boards less for you than the NM.

[knockem down]

Yes the BW is well worth the investment. I have had one since it first came out and have loved it since. I have been looking at buying the NM to go along with my BW since I really don't have a ball that is good enough to start out with then move to my BW. I think that you should really consider getting both.