Hammer Blade Solid Bowling Ball

Awesome ball for the medium / heavy oil conditions. I kept it clean and it refused to die. It was still good after 250 games! The OOB surface is about right. If not, polish it up. I spoke with Brian Graham at Hammer and he stated that the Switch Blade is the same ball (different color) with factory polish. Just knock off the polish and you have the original Blade Reactive in a cool new color... The Blade was my first "real" curve ball. I am always amazed at how these bowling ball companies promote "high end" balls and the remainder of choices are not mentioned as often. Do not be misled by all the hype. These mid-priced balls deliver! Go get one and see for yourself.

I got this ball from a co-worker who decided to go back to 15 lbs. He doesn't use grips, so I've decided to throw it without the grips for now. The ball is 15 lbs. 12 ozs., 1-2" pin, 3.2 ozs topweight. He had it drilled with the pin about 3/4 of an inch below, and slightly to the right, of the ring finger, with the CG directly below it; no weight hole needed. I've had this ball for about a month now and could not be more impressed with a ball. I decided to polish this baby up to help it get a little deeper before it made it's devastating move to the pocket. First I hit it with a Grey Scotch-Brite pad and then I polished it with Storm's Reacta-Shine to a nice smooth finish. I've been throwing it in my 2nd shift league, usually for the first two games only, because we have significant carry-down by the time we get on the lanes. I needed something that could handle the carry-down but not over react as the lanes quickly transition. I usually stand on the fourth dot and throw from 15 ove

This ball is the second I purchased in the Blade line. I also own a Pearl Blade. I normally use pearlized balls in light-to medium oil. Bought this ball to fight carry-down in light, medium oil, and as a medium-heavy oil ball. Couldn't be more pleased. Visually, this ball can be disturbing, and it looks slow-revving coming off your hand, but the hittting power and carry will belie the look of this ball. And it looks even better on the scoreboard. It is VERY versatile. You can polish it up for drier lane conditions, or use 800-grit sandpaper for the heavier stuff, and this ball scores in all of those conditions. If you're sick of carrying around a lot of balls in your trunk, try this one. This ball is dollar for dollar the best bowling investment I have ever made.

09/04 this is an awesome ball. and not to mention it hits like a semi truck but only when you hit light. if you hit high youll leave ten pins and splits all night long so make sure your either hitting flush or light or youll have a hard time. i had it polished once and i like it 600 grit or factory/box. it love fresh oil when the lanes are broke down it always wants to leave splits. i have this ball drilled 3 3/8" from pap and a 1oz. balance hole put just be low the pap. before i had the balance hole it never came back to the pocket the same way the balance hole smoothed out the reaction. i would recommend drilling it this way or have the pin in between the fingers 4'' away from pap. 12/17/04 this is another review for this ball. the cover is a little weak compared to my vortex with trimax, but this ball has the hardest fliping core in the world. i would recommend slapping a little bit of polish to it to tame it down and keep in consistant the box finsh hated all oil and absorbs e

I've used this ball for one full season now and I'm completly satisfied with it, especially for the money. WELL WORTH THE PRICE!!! **Right foot 1 dot right, 1 board left of center. Throw 1 board outside first arrow. Will come back every time!!!** Even if the ball is "tossed" slightly as opposed to laid down right away, the reaction is smooth and predictable. This ball is much more suitable for my style than my Storm X-Factor Re-Loaded. My only complaint is the ball's lack of backend when it comes to heavy oil and synthetic lanes. But is it really made for that?

I bought this ball a month ago. I noticed a lot of people review a ball after the first night. I was tempted because I threw a 716 series with it right out of the box. Wanted to wait and give it a month. Had my first chance at a 300 last night and came up short with a 298. Other games were 203 and 279. In fact, I struck 22 of my last 24 frames. If I would have carried my five ten pins in the first game I would of had an easy 800. I'll take a 780 though. This ball is everything I hoped it would be. Had an old Blue Hammer that just died on the backend and I needed a little more finish on the backend. My average with the Old Blue was 198. My first month with the Blade I averaged 230. I would highly recommend this ball to anybody who throws an Old Blue. It is a very predictable ball and fits my game perfectly. What more can I say. Look forward to bowling every week now. Buy a Hammer and go hurt'm. THE RAT

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Amazing Ball, When you throw the right shot and it hits the pocket 9 out of 10 times youve got the strike ( if not then you left one pin) Im 14 and ive been bowling for 7 years. Eve since i got the blade my game has improved greatly. I went from a 150 average to a 174 average and i beet my highest score of 244 with a new score of 267. To all bowlers, the blade is an amazing ball and if you have the talet it can be a leathel weapon in your game. Laurentian Lanes Juniors Jonathan Bobak

The whole Blade line is designed to be skid/snap balls. This ball does just that. It goes down the lane and past 40 feet makes a nice, strong break to the pocket. When it hits the pocket the pins just fly everywhere. Before I got this ball I was throwing a Brunswick Igniter and let me tell you, I can't even imagine ever using that ball again now that I have this Blade. It outhooks the Igniter, it's more agressive than the Igniter, and its much more versatile than the Igniter. This is definitely the best skip/snap ball I've ever seen. But remember, thats what it is meant to do. DO NOT get this ball to hook early or give you a midlane arc. This goes long, and it is designed that way. For midlane arc go with the Diesel line. If this ball doesnt go long enough go with the Viscious line. Thats why i love Hammer so much. Their Diesels hook early, their Viscious balls go extremely long, and their Blades go in between. The Blade, though, in my opinion goes long enough and hits ha

Shot my first honor score with the Blade Solid on 9/23/03. 298. Tugged last shot, no fault of ball! One of the first balls out on a weekly basis! This ball can cover a variety of conditions and never fails to score when thrown correctly. I'm a tweener with above avg. rotation and speed and can play this one straight up 10 or swing out over 15. Ball seeks the pocket as if it has radar and leaves nothing in it's wake! Very impressed with the "new" Hammer line-up. Complemented nicely by it's twin, Blade Pearl. Hoping to add the Blade Particle and Sling Blade to the arsenal for the perfect 4-ball arsenal for slicing up the competition! Great job Hammer! Blade series cannot be beat for the price by anything out there! Highly recommended.

Finally broke down and upgraded from the old blue urethane hammer which I was carrying a low 200-210 average with the last few years. I have had the Blade for 2 weeks, the first night of the league I ripped off a solid 750 series. I thought there was absolutly no way I was going to hold that average, but pull the ball out the next week, first game 288, second 227, last 288 for my first 800 (803) series. I think I took a little speed off in the 11th frames and it didn't carry the 10 either time. I have been using the factory finish, shoot about 23 mph, and favorite line is standing on the first dot to the left of center and shooting across the 3-2.5 arrow area. I'm not sure what the pin layout is, but didn't do anything too agressive as I get some pretty solid rotation on the ball. Love the ball so far.

Great ball if you want a very strong backend and also is controlable enough to get great results on medium to heavy lanes.This ball hits harder than any other ball I have and it keeps all of its energy for the backends and drives through the pins and keeps going. Hardly leaves any corner pins. When the lanes start to breakdown or are just really dry do not even think of this ball, the ball will hit far side or farther over. the price on this ball is low and you get high priced results. This ball is also great at 4-7 pickups for right handed bowlers. A great ball.

I originally thought if I polished the Blade heavily, I would have a decent light oil-dry lane ball. WRONG!!! The polish gave it more length, but it still exploded to the pocket on fresh oil league shot, and as the lanes started to break down, I had to put it away. This ball hooks and hits as powerfully as my Vicious Particle Pearl and for a lot less money. This is definately an "oil" ball. I had it drilled for full leverage 3-3/8 Pin/CG from PAP, no weight hole, Position "C" in the Hammer specs. I would certainly recommend this ball to those looking for a medium oil+ weapon and a low price (got mine cheaply on ebay!). I can't say it enough...NOTHING hits like a HAMMER!!!

exellent price for all your getting .this ball flat out hooks with power behind it.this ball is great polished dull or factory box finish.its got great backend for a dull ball.and it is easy to controol shinny or dull.this ball hits like a truck.the blade and the blad pearl is the best arsenal for the money even if they cost more money.the blade is a great edition to the hammer roster of bowling balls.i have nothing really bad to say about the ball.though the price is low i would never recomend this ball to a begginer.

~~~ Updated review ~~~ Oops... well i accidently cliked on the wrong ball, meant the blade pearl, but i'l do an updated review of this ball too... The blade solid is very agressive. It rolls nice and early, which meand if you are on a tough shot with little movement you can play deep, let it roll up early, move in the mid lane, and hold the line to the pocket. i drilled one for myself, pretty much leverage with about a 5 inch cg - pap distance, but rarely use it now for lack of mid lane oil. Polished, the blade gives additional length, but looses backend, so best leaving it box, or at least light sanded, and get another ball if you want slide. Ryan Ryan's pro Supplies www.clik.to/rps

This is sort of an early review on the ball, but she'll be put to the test very soon in a sanctioned tournament. Right away I can say that this ball rolls more smoothly than any ball I've thrown in a good long time. This ball is very forgiving and thats the one thing I'd hoped for. League conditions at my house are typically medium to heavy oil and from time to time my previous ball (Columbia Boss Ti) had a bit of trouble making the arc back to the pocket, and even when it did I left either the 10 or the 7 depending on how much of the headpin i got. The first shot with the Hammer Blade was a light pocket hit, and to my joyous surprise.... STRIKE! I've got just 9 games on the ball now and the difference is more than noticeable. I have WAY more pin action and the ball just LOOKS impressive rolling down the lane. I am not a cranker, more of a stroker, and this is the ball I've been waiting for. I havent had a hammer since the good ol' blue hammer cause most of 'em since were just

THIS HAS DEFINATELY GOT TO BE THE MOST HOOKING BALL I HAVE EVER THROWN IN MY LIFE WITH BOWLING. NOT TO SAY I AM THE GREATEST BOWLER, BUT I HAVE CAME A LONG WAY AND THROWN A LOT OF BALLS. I HAVE AN AGRESSIVE LINE OF BALLS THAT I HAVE CHOSEN FOR GREAT GAMES FOR ME. WHICH INCLUDE PANTERA FROM EBONITE HEAVY OIL FAST BALL, MORICH COLOSSUS PEARL MEDIUM OIL BALL, BRUNSWICK RHINO PRO MY GO TO BALL FIRST OUT OF THE BAG, AND FOR LIGHT OIL PIONEER BY MORICH. ALL THOSE BALLS I HAVE LISTED THIS NEW HAMMER BLADE THAT I BOUGHT OUT HOOKS MY HEAVIEST HOOKING BALL BY TEN BOARDS OR MORE. WHICH PUTS THE HAMMER IN A CLASS OF ITS OWN FOR ME, WHICH MEANS THIS IS MY NEW SPORT SHOT BALL. YI HAVE ONLY BEEN BOWLING FOR 10 MONTHS NOW AND I AVERAGE ABOUT 190 TO 200. I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS BALL TO ANYONE WHO WANTS TO LOOK AT A BALL HOOK ON THE LANES. I HAVE MINE DRILLED WITH THE PIN TO THE RIGHT OF MY JUST BELOW RING FINGER AND THE CG UNDERNEATH IT. ALL STACKED ON THE RIGHT SIDE FOR MASSIVE HOOK POTENTIAL A

I've used the ball for one tourney and God does it hit hard. My pro shop worker told me I'd get 3-4 boards movement max. WRONG! This ball hooks like crazy and what I love about it is it still comes back from anywhere on the lane! I did keep the box finish which seemed to make it very finicky, especially with spares, but a good Lustre-King should do the trick. Don't drill this with a ton of flare, though, if you plan to use it on medium oil... Can't baby it either, will cut through the nose... Other than that, on a scale of 1-10, I give this ball a 12... EDIT: I retract a few of my previous statements... On heavy oiled lanes, I have a great deal of trouble with this ball sliding past the desired break point... The reaction has deadened somewhat, but that's to be expected with all the games I bowled... For heavy oil, it gets an 8, for medium oil, a 10... So I'll give it a 9...<scr

This ball is an all out 10. It makes any other ball look like shit compared to it. I have had numerous messengers taking out anything and everything. I only leave a 7(lefty) if i severly shortarm it or swing it out way too wide. Various layouts work on this ball and suggested pin placement is 2 1/2-3 3/4. This ball will overreact if you dont pay attention to your speed but you have a better margin of error on revs that you put on the ball. It is definitely a keeper for my arsenal. perfect<s

the ball is one of the best i've thrown since i started bowling. it even got me my first 700. this ball is perfect for any condition.the only piece of info i would give is to polish it and you will get better reaction. i normally throw factory finish on all my balls but this is the first one i have had to alter. this ball carries any pin. it doesnt leave tens or nines. even for my lefty friend the ball doesnt even leave sevens or eights.i was very surprised by this ball, i thought it was garbage at first but all it needed was a good polish.<scr

This ball is great! I recommend it to anyone. I put a strong finish on the ball and it snaps into the pocket like you can't believe. At first, I got screwed because i got some moron to drill my ball and he made the span way to long so i kept throwing it in the air. I threw it into the other alley for god sakes. Then, I took it to Tony Norcia, who is, by far, the best pro shop driller ever. He fixed me up and now it works like a charm. This ball is also only 90 bucks! It's cheap as hell. Get this ball

i havent been lost yet with this ball - i bowled on it all sport shots reverse blocks - house shots - wherever i take this ball it does its job. for any1 lookin to get this ball be prepared it hooks more than the ebonite savage if u have ever thrown that ball!!!. i just recently switched to hammer an this was my first purchase... an i am sure glad i did cuz this is close to one of the best bowling ball i have ever rolled. u need alot of head oil to be able to roll this ball.. an if u have that u are set till the head oil wears away... then u can always switch to the pearlized blade :-D another great ball that i am gonna write a post about<

what a great first ball out of the bag for me. talk about a hard crack when it hits the pocket wow. for me i need fairly clean back ends to get the maximum carry of the corner pins. this ball clears the heads better than my particale stuff but not as long as the pearl blade is for me. i can move a few boards and bump the oil line when the oil starts to get pushed left. its real easy to keep the surface clean that makes it a real pluss. i use clean and dull once a week on it and after every use i use black magic particale cleaner. i rate this real high as one great med oil to heavey ball. bag it or get way deep in the 3rd game of leauge.<scrip

This ball is more attractive than a tall, skinny blonde in high heels(well maybe not but the ball would be cheaper than her). This ball is the only hammer that left me drooling after i was finished. Thank you hammer for your blade that cuts the 7 pins(im left handed) and carries the light hits better than pearl harbor. I am much more pleased with this ball than any other of the hammer line. Their is just something about this ball that feels like it is a once in a lifetime opportunity. This is the ball that made me like hammer.

Got this ball about 2 months ago. At first I could not figuire out how to score with it. The guy in the pro shop said to give it a few weeks to "track in". I never had to do that with any other equipment, but I was willing to give it a chance. Ball is drilled with the pin in the medium flare position according to the Hammer drill specs. the C.G. is in the C position for medium roll. There is no real track visible on the surface, but the ball is definitely rolling better now. Very predictable reaction which has allowed me to make more spares. It seems to carry light hits better than any ball I have ever used. I am a lefty and light hits usually equal 7 pin. The pin I leave the most now is a 6 pin. That is much easier to make than the 7. Carry of any pocket shot is the best I have ever had. Overall an excellent ball for the price. Equipment like this makes you wonder why anyone would pay the premium price some of the balls sell for. I have used Lane 1 and some higher end C