Looking for a replacement

[nilludar]

I have been throwing a Black Widow for almost 2 seasons and I'm ready to replace it. I have had a lot of success with it (4 300's, my first 800, several 279+ games) and would like to find something similiar to it. I also carry an Angular One that will be replaced too but both balls were very similiar except the AO gave me more angle for those flat backends. I would like to get more of a variety for my arsenal - thinking three.

I have looked at the Black Widow Pearl and a Black Widow Bite but not sure which would be similiar to the BW. I have considered getting both but I am not sure if they play similiar or if they are that much different.

My game: I am 215 - 220 average tweener with medium speed. I can adjust hand positions to accomdate the lanes if needed so I usually can stick with one ball throughout the night. The shots I bowl on are brunswick synthetics typical house shots with 10 - 10 oil and a outside 8 dry. I usually start out playing 15 board out to 8 then move in as the night goes on. If the shot gets real dry, I'll take some hand out of the shot and move 12 - 8 with more speed and the BW is a monster when I do that. It grabs the backends like a monster while the speed helps it clear the heads. But a normal night has me starting 15 - 8 and ending up at 22/25 - 10--->.

I really like how the BW hits and the forgiveness it gives me. I have also been looking at the Cherry Vibe for those "Oops we forgot to oil the lanes... Oh we had 30 kids on your pair today, sorry" days.

Any insight will be appreciated.

Thanks.

[Steve1591]

Well first off, if it works, why replace it? Also, if you just want new stuff, go buy the same balls new

The pearl and the bite are quite similar, except that the bite can handle a bit more oil and the pearl goes longer before breaking.

For the most part, the cherry vibe is not a dry lane ball, now based on different drills you could tame it down quite a bit, but id say that ball is more for medium conditions.

Now comparing the bite to the solid, if they are drilled the same way, the bite will be a few boards stronger, if you dont want something stronger, then dont go with the bite

Only other ball i can comment on as far as hammer goes is the Blue Vibe. This ball has been working great for me on medium conditions and after the lanes break down a bit

Based on what i have heard though, you may want to stay away from the Toxic as it is a horrible ball, but the Anger would be one you might want in your bag, it can handle oil quite nicely

Another thing, you can get variety in your arsenal without having different balls, you can get 2 of the same ball if you wanted to, and have them drilled up different, which can really be useful for different conditions, such as sport shot vs a ths.

[blistershurt]

I'd go with a if it aint broken dont fix it, I'd get another BWS and lay it out the same. Or if you want a new ball, seriously consider something from the Raw line, or a BWP (sanded to 4000 it will be snappier, but hook around the same amount as the BWS)

[idlehourlegend]

O.k. I know Im gonna get a little hit for this, but if your stuck a little between the pearl and BWB, give the Ebonite Raid a thought, its a great ball and hits a ton, its a little stronger than the pearl from what I've seen but not as snappy.

[blistershurt]

Or a Roto Grip Cell...same shape as BWS, a little more ball even with the polish (got mine polished so it can handle a THS)

It does absorb alot of oil...like the BWS does. It might be slightly smoother, mine is 5x3 and polished it is great. I love the ball. Still use my Anger for heavy stuff though (predictable, early roll that cant be beat on heavy)

[nilludar]

Thanks for the info.

If I was looking for a ball for a broken down house shot or the dry conditions, what would I consider then if the Cherry Vibe is not for dryer lanes? Could I lay out a BWS in a way that it would hold line longer without losing the power?

[Steve1591]

I hear one of the wrath balls (columbia) is a decent ball for drier lanes..think its the dead flush one..

But anyways, for the most part you can get a ball drilled for whatever conditions you need it for

[Hotshot]

Black widow pearl! If its a lil dry then OBO, if mid I'd go 2000 polished. I love mine . I've also shot 5 high games with it vrs my other ball I had for 3 years.

Just going to add I have mine drilled heavy oil.

[nilludar]

Another question: How does the NV and NVS compare to the Black Widow line? I had someone pitching really hard about the Ebonite equipment.

[Hotshot]

Ebonite, I love them. Prolly the same I do hammer. I got my first ball from them (wildcat) GREAT ball hooks more then my widow and its hella old I dont know about the NV line thoe.