Comparison Reports

Welcome to Fill The Frames Bowling Services’ ball comparison report of the Hammer Envy Tour Pearl (WWRD 9/21/2023). We continue to present more information to help you make better choices when purchasing equipment replacements or additions. All numbers are for 15lb equipment

Hammer Envy Tour Pearl 2.469 .034 .013 (45°x4-1/2”x35°) • HK22 Envy Pearl 500, 1000, 1500 Siaair/Factory Compound

Comparison to Hammer Envy Tour (2/23/2023), Hammer Obsession Tour Pearl (9/24/2021)
The Obsession Tour core is just flat out good. Bumping up the new Envy Pearl’s cover with the hottest cover base in the industry-HK22, I see a winner for many styles of bowlers. Early word is that this may be one of the best league condition balls ever. Time will tell. The Chrome color will stand out going down the lane or just sitting on the ball return. If you bowl on higher volumes, you can pair this with the Hammer Extreme Envy or your favorite heavy to Medium/Heavy conditioner ball choice. As the oil gets removed and a predictable ball motion is needed, switching to the Hammer Envy Tour Pearl makes sense.

Hammer Envy Tour 2.469 .034 .013 (45°x4-1/2”x35°) • Envy Solid 500, 1000 Siaair
I previously compared this ball before its release date, my observations still stand and the report can be found on the FTF website under the Comparison Reports tab. The Hammer Envy Tour should be in every serious competitor’s bag. It’s just a great motion that is versatile across many patterns and volumes. If you like keeping your angles more in front of you, you can. If you want to get around it a little more to get a later yet still have a smooth reaction, you can do that too. Both the Envy Tour Solid and Envy Tour Pearl are drilled the same and can be a great compliment to each other or a better choice for bowler’s with less speed and matched or are slightly rev dominant. Higher rev and speed bowlers have also said they like the control the Hammer Envy Tour gives them. See? Versatile! 

Hammer Obsession Tour Pearl 2.469 .034 .013 (55°x4-1/2”x35°) • TourV2 Pearl 500, 1000, 1500 Siaair/Factory Compound
What can I say? I love this ball, but it is no longer in production. The controllable core shape and numbers just matches up well to me and many other styles of bowlers. The comparison should be interesting as the core and finish is the same for the new Hammer Envy Tour Pearl. The Envy formulation seemed a little stronger than the TourV2 formula. The drilling angle is slightly different but wouldn’t be visible to the eye as transition happens very quickly in my area. The HK22 base will tell the story.

FINDINGS –
Hammer Envy Tour- With early morning fresh, I could use the Envy Tour due to the smooth motion the cover and core combo provides when the ball hits friction. Dry is not a choice for this cover. The ball has some lane shine and I touched up the cover by hand for this comparison. Getting one shot with my angles slightly open (Sliding 21, targeting 10 and focal point the 10 pin) the Envy Solid had a good read from oil to friction. Carry was good, but knowing how fast this center transitions fast outside of 10, I moved in a bit. Sliding 22 (instep) targeting at the arrows was 13 and the focal point was the 6 pin. Striking from here was easier and there were little signs of over/under again due to the Envy Sold cover.

Hammer Obsession Tour Pearl- This was a more friendly choice moving closer to the friction, but still had to stay inside of 10 at the arrows. Of course, it’s a few feet longer than the Envy Tour, but the shape is still there. A better choice for medium patterns with some hold to the left and friction to the right. This ball always came with me went I went into competition. Should have grabbed a couple when they were retired. One of the things that happened with the Obsession Tour Pearl is when lanes crashed, this ball still wanted to pick up a bit too early. Added axis rotation helped, but only for so long. If there was more volume in, the Obsession Tour could still be used. It just didn’t have a super quick response to friction with the lower diff core. When it read, it read smoothly.

Hammer Envy Tour Pearl- Good things come to those who wait. Since I didn’t grab more Obsession Tour Pearls, Hammer made the choice easier. “Let’s make a great ball even better”. Adding the base HK22 formulation has created what will replace the Obsession Tour Pearl and let me use it longer. The ball is clean through the conditioner and the ball roll through the lane is very readable. Its fantastic core, stabilizes and creates a motion that is pleasant to many bowlers’ eyes. I truly believe we will be seeing many of these on the racks for competition. I tried 3 different hand positions from approximately the same setup while changing my launch angles and focal points. All three struck with ease. This shows a great versatility and no need for “trick layouts”. Put in your favorite layout and go to town. Up the back of the ball I could get the ball to 12 @ 40’ and out to 5 at 40’ with much more axis rotation and tilt. With my most used release, the ball was at 9 @ 40’. Again, all struck…hard. Keep in mind the ball did go further down the lane than 40’ with different releases, I just used that distance as a common location target. The response is quicker and can be used longer if needing to move in and create more shape with a release adjustment. The Envy Tour Pearl might not be the first ball out on heavier volumes, but I can see it used a lot after some traffic has gone down the lanes. If you bowl on higher friction lanes or less volumes, this will be a great match up!

BONUS! FREE SWAG!!!
With the purchase of either the Hammer Extreme Envy or the Hammer Envy Tour Pearl (see related Comparison Report), you can receive a free Hammer Hoodie or Pullover (A $70 value!). Check the Hammer website for more info! Be sure to follow the directions to get your SWAG!

These are my observations on how I compared the balls on a 12:1 42’ daily pattern with added buff to 48’. Your results may vary depending on your release specs, skill set & lane environments. Ball choices, surfaces and layouts should be considered before making a purchase to get the benefits of every bowling ball. 

As always, what you bowl on and more importantly your release numbers and skill set will determine your choice in equipment. You can always contact me with any questions or schedule a consultation session on your personal release specs or current equipment. For more information, please visit the Coaching & Consulting page on our website at www.filltheframes.com or you may call or text me at (310) 784-1901. Thanks, be well & safe!

Juan Fonseca
Fill The Frames Bowling Services

Welcome to Fill The Frames Bowling Services’ ball comparison report of the Hammer Extreme Envy (WWRD 9/21/2023). We continue to present more information to help you make better choices when purchasing equipment replacements or additions. All numbers are for 15lb equipment

Hammer Extreme Envy 2.479 .054 .022 (90°x2”x30°) • Envy CFI Solid 500, 2000 Siaair

Comparison to Hammer Envy (9/23/2022), Hammer The Sauce (6/18/2019)
One of the concerns of bigger core, aggressive coverstock bowling balls is that they “burn up”. I will attribute this to older lane surfaces and bowlers using balls that “over power” the amount and type of lane conditioner that they are bowling on daily. Taking a step forward, Hammer has slightly changed the Launcher core found in the Hammer Envy. This is called the Launcher LRG core. By lowering the RG & Diff (2.505/.055 to 2.479/.054) and adjusting the Asym Diff from .021 to .022, then using the same Envy Solid formulation but adding CFI in the coverstock allows the ball to match up better to cut through medium-heavy volumes and add more motion off the pattern. Carbon Fiber Infused (CFI) is an additive to the cover to gain traction. Hammer also uses CFI in most of its equipment’s inner core to add durability and hitting power. Bowlers that are speed dominant will like it when other balls go too far down the lane.

Hammer Envy 2.505 .055 .021  (45°x4-1/2”x45°) • Envy Solid 500, 1500 Siaair
Personally, I don’t use the Higher Performance balls often due to the combination of my specs and the age of the lane surfaces and conditioner volume. I can use them during some tournaments and higher volume sport patterns, though. When the Envy came out, I drilled it to replace older balls in that performance level. I saw a higher RG and hoped it would give me more continuation off the pattern and through the pins. It did but that didn’t last long for daily use as the lanes transitioned quickly. However, I could use it more often during higher volume and longer pattern tournaments. So it continues to be in my tournament set up. Surface adjustments can be made, but keep them rational. There might be better choices than highly polishing a ball designed for traction. Talk to your favorite shop tech to help you make a better choice.

Hammer The Sauce 2.470 .049 (85°x2-1/2”x45°) • Aggression Solid CFI 500, 2000 
The Sauce was an early release that used CFI on the coverstock and was later used on a bigger Asym. Being in bowling for over 45 years, I have played a little will layouts and surfaces. What I did in 2019 with The Sauce is short pin a strong ball. I’ve had done it in the past with a mid range Asym (2.50/.46 Diff/.011 Asym Diff) in 2015, but I decided I needed something stronger. As with Syms, the drilling angle (first number) doesn’t matter, but I use the angle number on most layouts. This is measured from a straight line 6-3/4” from the pin through the CG (if correct but always balance out the ball, just in case). With any Syms, the technical Mass Bias will be in or near the thumbhole as it will be the biggest void in the ball. No thumbers can use the angle for reference. I chose this layout to take advantage of the cover on shorter patterns with volume up front. My angles will be more closed and I can use it to control the back end friction. Sound familiar? Urethane-type motion, but with a stronger move later that may also open up the backend.

FINDINGS-
While having a short pin layout isn’t a true test to compare the Hammer Extreme Envy to the Hammer Envy, I wanted to see the difference if any, in the response to friction with the CFI addition. Bowling on the fresh (see below) there is enough built in hold and blended friction, so there’s no need to “carve out a shot”. High Performance balls don’t usually do well for me at this center unless there’s more volume. So I moved into the volume to use it as best as possible, keeping my angles a little straighter.

Hammer Envy- Early on I knew I would be getting out of this ball fairly soon; too strong for this volume. Sliding 23 (instep), with a laydown at 17 and targeting 13 at the arrows with a focal point between the 6/10. The Envy would be at 9 board at 40’ and although striking, the exit point would be at 14 off the deck. The ball stands up and rolls forward very quickly here (but better than earlier HP releases) and carry might become an issue quickly. More axis rotation helped, but there were better choices to use at the time.

Hammer The Sauce- With a short 2-1/2” Pin to PAP, the motion was very clean and when it touched the lighter volume down lane, the roll was very strong and hit very well. The launch angles were a touch more closed; sliding 24, target 14 at the arrows and focal point the left side of the 6 pin. The Sauce revved up quickly and was manageable. I moved a bit left to see if it would get back (4/3 and opened the focal point to the 6 pin) and it made it back and still hit well to carry. This is a benefit of short pin layouts. When you can use them, they are very versatile. They may have limitations, but is just another option to scoring.

Hammer Extreme Envy- Right away, I can see the cover is cleaner than the Hammer Envy. Again while drilled with a 2” Pin to PAP, the Extreme Envy was longer than The Sauce and had more pop off the friction, but still was controllable. Drilling the same as the Hammer Envy will give a more distinct motion off the friction compared to other balls in this performance level. If you are looking for that ball for medium-heavy volumes and get some later motion, the Hammer Extreme Envy will fill that spot in your bag. Lighter weights have an alternate core, but the numbers are still strong in the 12-13lbers. 

Here is a comparison of flare separation between the two. Comparing the Hammer Extreme Envy to another short pin layout with a similar surface was as close as I was going to get without a time machine or finding a Sauce in someone’s secret stash.

BONUS! FREE SWAG!!!
With the purchase of either the Hammer Extreme Envy or the Hammer Envy Tour Pearl (see related Comparison Report), you can receive a free Hammer Hoodie or Pullover (A $70 value!). Check the Hammer website for more info! Be sure to follow the directions to get your SWAG!

These are my observations on how I compared the balls on a 12:1 42’ daily pattern with added buff to 48’. Your results may vary depending on your release specs, skill set & lane environments. Ball choices, surfaces and layouts should be considered before making a purchase to get the benefits of every bowling ball. 

As always, what you bowl on and more importantly your release numbers and skill set will determine your choice in equipment. You can always contact me with any questions or schedule a consultation session on your personal release specs or current equipment. For more information, please visit the Coaching & Consulting page on our website at www.filltheframes.com or you may call or text me at (310) 784-1901. Thanks, be well & safe!

Juan Fonseca
Fill The Frames Bowling Services

Welcome to Fill The Frames Bowling Services’ ball comparison report of the Hammer Dark Web Hybrid. We continue to present more information to help you make a better choice in equipment replacements or additions. Tester Specs: PAP 5-1/4”x1/4”^ – Tilt 6* – Rev/Speed Range Matched – Ball 15lbs

The Hammer Black Widow 2.0 Solid and Hammer Dark Web complimented each other very well on medium to heavy volumes. With the release of the Hammer Dark Web Hybrid (07/13/2023), the same core is built using D.O.T. (Durability Optimization Technology). This allows more drilling versatility, keeps the warranty valid and produces a predictable shape. The difference here is the coverstock. Using the same cover as the Black Widow 2.0 Hybrid, the shape is again smoother from front to back but with the HK22 base and the flip block, the motion down lane is more pronounced than the original Dark Web.

Hammer Dark Web – Modified Spheroid D.O.T.- 2.514 .048 (4”x35*) • Aggression Solid 500, 1500 Siaair
When the Hammer Dark Web was released (07/08/2022), my views were that this ball is a good choice as a shape difference than the Black Widow 2.0 Solid (11/19/2020). Both had the same cover formulation and the Dark Web has a slightly more textured finish. The Dark Web would have a smooth motion front to back with a roundish shape off the back of the pattern compared to the Gas Mask core. Medium to heavy volumes is the best environments for most bowlers at the box finish. Speed Dominant bowlers can use if closer to the friction in the front part of the lane. Slower speed bowlers may have had to smooth, compound or polish the Dark Web as it was too strong for where they bowled daily. During the comparison, the differences are the more textured surface and the Aggression solid cover. The Dark Web Solid started its roll earlier and had a smoother yet stronger motion off the pattern than most solid syms due to the flip block on the core. The Dark Web Hybrid added more entry angle changes with different hand positions. Using a more rolling release, the cover still pushed a bit further down lane. With a release that creates more skid and angle change (more axis rotation and tilt), the Hybrid had much more continuation through the pins. Using the same release, the Solid didn’t have as much angle due to the box surface. The versatility points goes to the Hammer Dark Web Hybrid.  

Hammer Black Widow 2.0 Hybrid – Gas Mask- 2.469 .034 .013 (45*x5”x25*) • Aggression Hybrid HK22/500, 1000, 1500 Siaair/Crown Factory Compound
The Hammer Black Widow 2.0 Hybrid is currently my cleaner more angular ball when I need to open my angles. Going to something earlier but still Asymmetrical would be the Hammer 3D Offset Attack or the Brunswick Defender Hybrid. The common theme here is the HyperKintic22 (HK22) base formulation. Using the Hammer Dark Web Hybrid on a fresh pattern with more volume in the center of the lane, the strong core wanted to rev up, but the compound finish was a bit too under/over until the lane blended out. Getting to the pocket was fairly easy, but the miss area was smaller than with the Dark Web Hybrid. The Black Widow 2.0 Hybrid for me would be a better choice to open up angles as the heads began to go away. One thing about the 2.0 Hybrid, if I used a more rotation/tilt release the ball was very clean and very angular down lane. This made it a bit too sharp. Using a more rolling release, the 2.0 Hybrid cleared and gave me a more manageable reaction. This was a surprise to me when I tried it. It’s pretty much the reason it’s in my bag.

Hammer Dark Web Hybrid – Modified Spheroid D.O.T.- 2.514 .048 (5”x35*) • Aggression Hybrid HK22/500, 1000, 2000 Siaair
Comparison to Hammer Dark Web, Hammer Black Widow Hybrid 2.0
For this comparison, I drilled the Dark Web Hybrid slightly different than the original. The only change was an additional 1” longer Pin to PAP. For a symmetrical ball, a 4”-5” Pin to PAP is used for later reactions. Drilled in 2 of the same balls, the length/shape difference wouldn’t be noticed to the eye and could blend in together as the surface changes. However the combination of the pin distance change, HK22 base, additives and surface prep gave a different ball motion. This created a quicker response time and more entry angle when it saw friction, but not as early as the solid. The Dark Web Hybrid was more forgiving on shots inside the intended targeting line and further away from the reaction point down lane. More traction in the conditioner is a strong positive of the HK22 formulation. For the comparison, The Hybrid revved up as soon as the original but cleared the front part of the lane easily, saving the reaction for down lane. Where the solid read friction as soon as it saw it and if it was in the friction too early the ball would start losing axis rotation too soon and carry could suffer. This is why I suggest it is better for more volumes, the higher volume portion on the lane or for higher speed bowlers.

I see the Dark Web Hybrid as a great choice as a benchmark ball for matched bowlers. Also, a nice choice for a transition ball from a stronger cover symmetrical like a Track Stealth. Bowlers who are on the slower ball speed side and need more angle change down lane, the Dark Web Hybrid could be the answer. Surface prep is always a major ball motion change and I see this cover as one that can be fine tuned.

As always, what you bowl on and more importantly your release numbers and skill set will determine your choice in equipment. You can always contact me with any questions or schedule a consultation session on your personal release specs or current equipment. For more information, please visit the Coaching & Consulting page on our website at www.filltheframes.com or you may call or text me at (310) 784-1901. Thanks, be well & safe!

Juan Fonseca
Fill The Frames Bowling Services