PERSONALITY: WE ALL HAVE ONE. FOR THOSE WHO REMEMBER SYBIL, SHE HAD 16! ESSENTIALLY, PERSONALITY means the fundamental character of a person. I often will write of a bowling ball’s personality in my reviews, throwing grammatical correctness to the winds. In that regard, I am merely trying to convey the traits a particular ball exudes and the feelings it gives off during testing. I’m sure some of you know what I mean — some balls just feel right, or display a motion with which we feel comfortable. They quickly become a close friend, someone on whom we can depend. We also know when balls just aren’t right. They are either too finicky on the patterns on which we bowl, or just don’t give us a “look” we like.

Like people, bowling balls can be exciting and even vivacious, while others are droll and boring. Some balls have a very narrow corridor of use, while others have a much wider range of usability. As with humans, a few initially could be perceived as perfect, at least until their flaws rear their ugly heads and we realize what their imperfections might be.

So what do my gut and intuition tell me about this month’s latest and greatest money makers (we’re also rooting that they be cash-makers for us as well, and not just for the manufacturers)?

Here’s a quick take on some personality traits or gut-feelings for this month’s orbs. Storm Gravity Shift: Mean-spirited, yet admirably dependable. Storm Rapid Fire: Very friendly and multi-faceted. Roto Grip Pluto: Specialized skills, all for less than minimum wage. Columbia 300 Wrath Dead Flush: A fast talker with pleasing results.

For those who prefer an alternative approach — Gravity Shift: Tom Cruise behind the wheel of a Dodge Viper. Rapid Fire: Everyone’s favorite rich uncle. Pluto: Wally Cox with an Uzi. Dead Flush: Helio Castroneves doin’ the Jive.

STORM: GRAVITY SHIFT 53 Hook 14.5 Length 16.5 Breakpoint Shape
Storm Gravity Shift	Core Design: The Gravity’s core features an all new Shape Lock HD (high density)asymmetric design. The RG is low at 2.48, the Diff strong at .052 and the mass bias healthy at .020. This core is designed to rev quicker than the Shape Lock cores in the previous two Shifts (2.55 RG).
	Coverstock: The newly shaped core is surrounded by a newly formulated pearl reactive coverstock called R2X. The coloring is Storm stunning with its silver, cherry and violet mixture. Surface is sanded at 800 and finished with Storm’s 1500 Polish.
Manufacturer’s Intent:Steve Kloempken of Storm had this to say: “The Gravity Shift is our newest development. The new Shape Lock HD core creates a lower RG for heavier midlane roll. While the Shift performs best on medium conditions, the Gravity handles more oil better. The Gravity Shift creates more midlane friction and a more predictable back-end reaction. The new R2X cover creates a comparable amount of hook to the R2S, but gets higher friction numbers in the midlane. With respect to the chemistry of the shell, it was developed to create better cross-link density, and designed to be tougher, yet still flexible. It’s easy to make a very strong material, like conventional urethane, but to perform on oil and create hook is more challenging. Surface roughness plays a role, too. So we are looking to keep the performance and increase durability and longevity.”
Test Results: The Gravity has its own unique personality, somewhat mean and nasty, yet it was very dependable throughout the transitional phases of lane pattern decay. The Gravity is clearly easier through the fronts than the recently reviewed Attitude Shift. It also displays a quicker and earlier move off friction compared to that ball, as well. Total hook will be slightly more than the Attitude on some patterns and slightly less on others. Compared to a similarly-drilled Domination, the Gravity was two feet earlier and had 3-5 boards stronger total hook. This piece is all about opening up a pattern due to its length and aggressive nature off friction.
When to Use: Use on medium- to heavily-oiled patterns when a quick, strong breakpoint motion is warranted. Longer pins (4 ¾ to 6”) will create more length, but not necessarily more flip back-end tilt. Higher speed-to-rev rate players will fall in love with the strength in the midlane and strong, mean arc after the pattern ends. Carry-down did little to deter the aggressiveness of this new R2X cover formula. Dulling the surface provided a look more similar to that of the Attitude, but we easily preferred box polish on the majority of our test patterns.

STORM: RAPID FIRE 47 Hook 15 Length 15 Breakpoint Shape
Storm Rapid Fire	Core Design: With an RG rating of 2.57 and Diff strength of .050, this symmetric core provides most of its power in the late midlane and back-end portion of the lane. This Twin V core has been used both inverted and upright in Storm’s Fire line-up of products.
	Coverstock: The cover is a 1500-grit polished version of the highly effective R2S solid reactive. Coloring is a medley of deep purple and dark blue. The R2S base resin has been Storm’s strongest cover for today’s higher viscosity oils. I’d rate this cover as moderately quick off friction.
Manufacturer’s Intent: With the plethora of high performance pearl reactives in the Storm line, a strong polished solid was needed. The Fire line already has a strong skid/flip pearl with the Spit Fire, and a smooth arcing hybrid with the Sure Fire. The ball motion of the Rapid Fire fits neatly between these two. Also, Storm already has plenty of dull R2S covers in the line with its Attitude Shift (asymmetric medium- RG), Special Agent (symmetric low-RG) and T Road (symmetric medium-RG), so a polished medium-RG version is needed and is a perfect fit, in my humble opinion.
Test Results: The Rapid Fire’s strong cover (R2S) allows it to be used on an extremely wide range of conditions, except for extremely dry patterns. The medium core strength allows for extended use as the oil patterns evaporate and users (righties, in particular) are forced to move deeper into the lane and give up the pocket. The Rapid Fire played a few boards tamer than the Gravity, and also was a touch more sensitive on heavier volumes. Weak-handed players need not apply on longer and heavier stuff where more core strength and cover surface is needed. Handed players will find the Rapid Fire will complement their Spit Fire (pearl), especially when it is too sensitive to the oil and/or dry portions of the lane. This is easily one of the best solid reactives on the market for medium lane conditions.
When to Use: Use on all medium patterns for almost any style of player. The Rapid Fire could/should be Storm’s benchmark ball. Benchmark ball: A ball perfect for reading a pattern. This cover/core combo will let you know if you need to bring out the heavy artillery or the ultra-conservative pieces. But do not neglect using this ball when it matches up, which will be very often!

ROTO GRIP: PLUTO 44 Hook 16 Length 13 Breakpoint Shape
Roto-Grip Pluto	Core Design: Pluto’s nucleus is the Orbiter II symmetric core. The core boasts a high RG rating of 2.61 with a .018 Diff rating, the lowest of any 2-piece solid reactive bowling ball currently available. Testing displayed a maximum of 2” of track flare with our 3.5 and 4” pin distances
	Coverstock: . The Pluto’s solid reactive Sure Grip II cover is finished at 2000 abralon. Its coloring is a mix of charcoal and scarlet. Polishing definitely brings Pluto to life. The cover is moderately quick off dry boards, either dull or polished.
Manufacturer’s Intent: Last month, Roto Grip introduced its most aggressive solid reactive, the Cell, which played phenomenally on all medium to heavier volumes. This month’s entry level Pluto is Roto’s least aggressive solid reactive in its impressive reactive lineup. Roto is all about cover and core innovation and not being afraid to release a ball with an industry-low .018 Diff rating (also found on the Neptune).
Test Results: The Pluto is designed to fill a void in a player’s tournament arsenal. The conservative core design would lead you to believe this ball will only work well for those with gifted releases or on very dry patterns. Not so. The Pluto performed very well on our Shark pattern (wood lane surface), as long as we didn’t miss it at the release. We could give up the pocket slightly on our house patterns, and still see ample back-end recovery and surprising hitting power. Polishing the Pluto’s surface increased its length, but did not lessen total hook appreciably on either lane surface. Don’t be afraid to spank it!
When to Use: Bowlers will find many uses for the Pluto, either with its factory 2000-dull surface or highly polished. Down-and-in bowlers will actually be able to play down-and-in longer than with higher-flaring counterparts. “Handed” players will be able to control length and breakpoint spark on fried patterns rather easily, even with pin distances of 3.5 to 5”. Players who are somewhat speed-challenged will be able to use this 2-piece wonder even when bowling on dry, softer wood lane surfaces. All in all, the Pluto offers great hitting power, very easy length (dull or polished) and a controllable move off friction.

COLUMBIA 300: WRATH DEAD FLUSH 46 Hook 16 Length 15.5 Breakpoint Shape
Columbia 300 Wrath Dead Flush	Core Design: The Dead Flush’s core is borrowed from an old favorite of yesteryear, the Ti Boss. This symmetric core has an RG value of 2.56 and a medium Diff rating of .040. We experienced a maximum of 4.5” of track fl are with our 4” layouts.
	Coverstock: The Dead Flush’s “BIB” cover is all about easy length and a quick response off friction. The “Bring It Back’s” coloring is a purple, blue and red pearl medley. The surface is sanded with 4000 and shined with Powerhouse factory high gloss.
Manufacturer’s Intent: Columbia 300 made this entry to provide more length and back-end recovery than the earlier Wrath High Flush. The High Flush has an oil hook rating of 20 and a 35 rating on dry. The Wrath Dead Flush is rated 18 in oil and 40 off the dry boards. Our findings confirm this variance between these two releases.
Test Results: The Dead Flush offers unbridled length with any type of breakpoint shape one desires. We saw a steep angle of entry with our 3.5 and 4.5” pin distances either above or below the fingers. With our 6¼” pin, we saw an extra few feet of length with a much more smooth reaction off the friction. Hitting power was good to above average, depending on the amount of oil carrydown. The ball had a few boards less total hook than the original High Flush, but also went a few feet longer before reaching its breakpoint.
When to Use: We found many uses on broken-down patterns and lighter volumes of House and PBA-like patterns. Down-and\-in players will want the pin positioned below the fingers and to place the weight hole on the PAP to help smooth out downlane reaction. Players opting for a more assertive nature downlane should use medium and longer pin distances and locations closer to the VAL (vertical axis line). This helps strengthen and quicken the responsiveness off friction. Surface sandings did little to improve the Dead Flush’s traction in heavier oil; our suggestion is to leave it with box finish and fire away on medium and lighter patterns.

Testing Parameters:

This month I had the pleasure of testing with Tom Madrecki, a student at the University of Virginia who is intern with Bowlers Journal. Tom is a high-rev player with a rev rate near 380. His axis rotation measures in at 45 degrees, his tilt at 9 degrees and his PAP at 53/8 fl at.
We first tested at our home wood surface center, Classic Lanes in Oak Creek, Wis., where we bowled on the PBA Shark pattern and the house condition. We were able to play the outside portion of the Shark due to lane topography and the softer wood surface (with a urethane top coat). House condition plays between 17- and 20-board at the arrows and out to 7-10 at the break. Next, we ventured to the USBC testing and research center in Greendale, Wis. There, we bowled on a Guardian finish, a wood surface and Brunswick’s Pro Anvilane synthetic finish. Our test patterns were the PBA Viper and a typical house condition with a 4-1 oil ratio.