Finally I found a video of a guy who bowls like me. This will make my search for my next ball so much easier. Look like are speed is similar and I am also no thumb. Our approach looks similar too so I will definitely be looking at your videos for my next ball. Thanks. My benchmark is the blue coral venom.
Great video! Mine is the Brunswick Knockout Bruiser. It begrudgingly replaced my old Storm Rocket Ship. The Bruiser has been really good so far when I’m a little lost I can find my place pretty quickly with it.
Such good stuff Ben. I'm digging videos so much usable information and not fluff. Really makes educated guesses a bit easier. My "benchmark" ball is my Motiv Pride solid. That ball is amazing on the left side. It was my Black Widow 2.0 solid until I got the Pride. That new Motiv Black Venom looks good on the lanes and goegrous on the shelf. Thanks
@@bowlersparadise2255 I never had an OG GB2 but I had a kentucky GB3 and the GB3 cover was quite stronger but wore out faster. I find the B7 covers more durable than the kentucky ebi stuff
I would agree with that mostly. I think part of it is just the improvement tine provides and also a ball to ball issue but the Mexico stuff is better than expected
See, that's what I'm saying. You know what you need, and that's what you go to. I know I couldn't use a ball that strong, but that's ok! The right answer is the one that makes the most sense to you!
My Stealth solid is mine. It's strong but predictable. That is my "reader". I know that the reaction I get will tell me if I can move and stay with it, or if I need to go to a different core, cover or both. I know that ball WELL. It never lies.
I have the black venom currently and find that it’s just too strong(2 handed 13-14mph). I think i’m gonna pick up the blue coral venom in hopes it will get down lane better and not hook so early
@@bowlersparadise2255 I hadn’t considered that but that could also be a great option. Hadn’t looked at it mostly cause I love the gear core and the gear apg but the rg and diff numbers look great. Thank you
Hey Ben, Very nice video and explanation for each Benchmark ball. Thank you for doing this video and doing the usually uncommon and often frowned upon cross brand video. Great work.
Today I bought the Hammer Ocean Vibe. Your vid helped me decide. Though I left it "out of the box" coverstock. First three games: 623. It is my new benchmark. I can go from right to left and it is great.
@@sdavisbassman Did you leave it stock cover or did you take his advice and go to a 4000 grit? You might try it. I have had a few 240+ games but missed a few chances for better. I left mine stock, then it got caught in the machine and had a groove ground into it. Had the pro shop fix the best they could and put a 4000 grit to her. 230 is pretty regular now. But I know I can do better. I have issues with the 10th frame. Mind games get me more than my ball lets me down.
I've been using the Jackal Ambush as my benchmark ball for league, and the Trident Nemesis for game 3. I'm a lefty and not to many other lefties on my leagues.
I only use 2 balls. And, they could both be considered benchmark. The Columbia Explosion. I use this in league. It matched up real well where I bowl. And, when the explosion is not enough. The Cuda. This ball is just incredible!
Hey Ben, I remember in your Forge Ember review that you said you thought it would make a good benchmark piece. What do you like about the Black Venom over the Forge Ember? The BV looks quite a bit more eager to get off the spot and charge up to the pins; the Forge Ember looks a lot more relaxed and easy to control (to my eyes anyway).
Hammer Tour Envy on fresh 60 x 4.5 x 35 1000 grit. Then Black Venom 65 x 5 x 30 1500 grit with a light shine for transition. What can I say? I like pocket control.
I have also been starting with the Scorpion Hybrid and then move left with the Sting as the lanes burn up. Often times I can stay in the Scorpion Hybrid all three games. Box finish on all so far but I am considering roughing up the Sting a little and see how that rolls.
Right now my current benchmark is the Blue Coral Venom but I'm getting the Black Venom, should I switch my benchmark over to the Black Venom since it's a solid?
I just want you to know that I watch all your videos I truly feel your presentation and complete knowledge is very influential to me and my game, especially that I’m a senior bowler with a lower revs and speed
For a tournament arsenal, would a lot of people consider the Black Venom an option to use on mid to heavy oil patterns? I feel like it's used more for dry by the pros, not exactly a first ball out of the bag kind of thing. Please correct me if I'm wrong haha.
I would never consider what the pros do on tour conditions to build my own arsenal. What they bowl on, no one else does. A benchmark is a benchmark regardless of volume. If you know it well and trust it, that’s really all you need.
Yeah. There's balls that are designed for greater or less volumes of oil, but you can use just about anything on any volume if your game allows for it. Just find the one you know does what you want it to do most often and work from there.
Great vid, Ben...thank you! Personally, I use my Storm IQTour as my benchmark, although if I know my league pattern, I will typically start with my Storm Phaze II and switch to the IQ Tour when I need smoother shape during transition or burn. Two questions though: First, why didn't you choose the IQ Tour in this vid, when it is known to be a benchmark ball? Second, you briefly mentioned "...as the IQ Tour used to be." Could you please elborate on what you meant? Thank you, Joe
To answer question 1, I didn’t have one on hand lol. To answer question 2, the R2S solid cover used to be one of the strongest covers you could buy, now it’s one of the weakest. Technology has advanced a lot in the last 10 years, and the way I would use an iQ tour today is different from how I would have at time of release. But also, stay tuned… more on the iQ and more is coming.
I have as bench mark my black widow 2.0 I really love it I paired whit a zen gold label the I really really love too , now the trickiest question is what can I pair those 2 whit ?
I never threw one myself, but everyone I've seen throw it loves it. The shape is one of the better ones and if I was looking for a benchmark, i'd certainly consider it.
The Cuda-C from 1998. That Thing is a Strike monster If I can get to it. If it doesnt get to tha pocket Ball up. If it checks up too hard!!! Ball down!!! ;D
Still using the Hammer Bad Intentions as my benchmark. Can't seem to find a good consistent "benchmark" asym for my high-tilt, high-rotation throw (it maybe the indian, not the arrow, but blaming the arrow means having more equipment lol). In the honeymoon phase with the Jackal Ambush, it's ok for now but is not at the Bad Intentions level yet for me.
@@bowlersparadise2255 I have not tried the Envy or Envy Tour. I looked at the Envy Tour but decided to get the Jackal Ambush. May have to be a ball ho and get the Envy Tour for the next winter league. Thanks for the info!
BTW, your ball reviews are awesome and super insightful. Definitely appreciate how you break down what bowlers might fit certain balls rather than saying everything is awesome lol. Keep up the great work. You've been my #1 go-to source for ball reviews.
@Bowlers Paradise when I started hooking a ball it was with a house ball and I still come around the side of the ball 30 years later, my iq tour now takes an immediate left when it sees friction
