Welcome to Fill The Frames Bowling Services’ ball comparison report of the Hammer Hazmat (WWRD 11/16/2023). 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 Hazmat 2.479 .055 (4-3/4”x30°) • HK22 Semtex Hybrid 500, 1000, 1500 Siaair Factory Compound
Comparison to Hammer Envy Tour Pearl (9/21/2023), Hammer Black Widow 2.0 Hybrid (2/23/2023) Hammer Bowling has added a big cored, shiny symmetrical to its line. Using the Semtex Hybrid additive package (Black Widow Dark Legend, Fierce Phobia, and Scorpion) with the hottest base product in the industry-HK22, bowlers will be getting a ball that picks up in the mid-lane and a continuous motion off the back of the pattern. The paperwork says the intent is for medium volumes, as always drilling options and surface changes may be needed to dial the reaction each bowler is looking to achieve.
Hammer Envy Tour Pearl 2.469 .034 .013 (45°x4-1/2”x35°) • HK22 Envy Pearl 500, 1000, 1500 Siaair Factory Compound
If you haven’t seen the Hammer Envy Tour Pearl go down the lane, you are missing a lot. The cleaner version of the Hammer Envy Tour gives almost the same motion as its solid counterpart, but for less volume or higher friction lanes. It’s not too strong for most daily patterns, yet gives a smooth motion and some area down lane. Plus there is a great promotion with this ball and the Hammer Extreme Envy that gets you a Hammer hoodie or pullover FREE! This offer ends 12/31/2023, so act fast!
Hammer Black Widow 2.0 Hybrid 2.500 .058 .016 (45°x5”x25°) • HK22 Aggression Hybrid 500, 1000, 1500 Siaair Factory Compound
The Black Widow 2.0 Hybrid is still one of the best selling balls currently available. Nothing can be added to improve upon the motion of the famous Gas Mask core…oh wait….the HK22 base formulation does. This cleaner and quicker response to friction is keeping Hammer fans very happy and scores keep coming.
FINDINGS –
Knowing that the core numbers are higher than previous syms like the Scorpion (.043), Dark Web Hybrid (.048) and still a personal favorite the Web Pearl ’21 (.048), I knew I would need more volume in a flatter configuration based on my release specs. For me, if there is a starting cliff the Hazmat would read the friction as soon as it saw it. In the fresh volume, the ball seems to travel too far and the window down lane was smaller than I’d like. Straighter angles in the conditioner and speed control allowed me a better reaction, but I didn’t have the built in room that other choices would give me on a fresh pattern for this center. When I repeated shots, the Hazmat looked great and hit amazingly. Other than having more volume and flatter, I think removing the compound and having a smooth finish (2-4K) would give me better traction in the oil, a longer roll transition overall and more room for error off the hand. I can see using this on medium, flatter patterns in where I need a ball to get through heads with some friction built in. Higher speed players will like this ball banking the friction down lane. Slower speed bowlers can use this in the volume and get great results if they can’t use the bigger solid choices with asym cores. Changing your rotation and tilt will give you more ways to attack the lanes. All in all, I like this release. I just need to dial the surface in as every bowler should do with every ball they have. I’m not trying to turn this ball into something I have, just tweak it enough to be more effective for what I see.
Hammer Envy Tour Pearl – This ball continues to be in my main arsenal. Clean, but not skippy in oil. Smooth, very readable and responds well to release changes. I can use this on the fresh where I do the comparisons. Starting close to the friction (never in it) about 11 at the arrows to 8-9 at 45’ and with slight launch angle with the feet at 22, not a problem striking from this starting point. Moving in quickly to see what was there, the Envy Tour Pearl wanted to go a bit too long this early. Moving back and switching to the Hazmat, it read earlier and kept going. Moving 2-2 left and adding a bit more rotation, I was able to strike. Visually I could see where I could keep moving as the ball was cutting through the pins. While continuing moving in and got the feet at 30 and 19 at the arrows (that’s 8/8!) and adding a little more tilt the Hazmat was striking. I actually had to add more rotation and tilt once my feet got past 25. What was happening is the ball got to the end of the pattern started to roll forward (for me) due to the clean back ends and my slower speed. Adding rotation and tilt created more continuation through the pins. This goes back to my earlier statements about a slight surface change to play more in the volume and elongate the reaction window. Please note that this comparison was after a morning trio league and not many bowlers move left of 13 at the arrows.
Hammer Black Widow 2.0 Hybrid – This ball comes into play after some games have been thrown and the friction starts to open up down lane. It is my “skid/snap” reaction on the higher end. It has been said that the Hazmat is close to the reaction as the BW 2.0 Hybrid, just a smoother off the pattern. At box finish, I see the BW 2.0 Hybrid longer and sharper. This comparison was on fresh and both balls would not be my choice until the lanes blended out and developed friction further down the lane. The Hazmat could be used just right of the beginning setup point to the Envy Tour Pearl. Starting with the feet at 24, 14 at the arrows with a focal point at the center of the 6 pin (9 board) striking was there but again seemed like I could get more room down lane with a surface adjustment. Possibly a stronger pin to PAP distance due to how the Hazmat clears the fronts in oil would work, as well. I keep my layouts close to each other so get a better idea of what each ball does and how I would adjust them later. Once I got to 25/15/9 the BW 2.0 Hybrid left a 2-4-5. The Hazmat continued and struck. Moving 2/2 more the Hazmat went longer and again went a touch forward with my starting hand position. Adding more rotation, it was back to striking.
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