- Lock It

First Impressions
The Storm Lock It marks the February 2024 return of one of the most successful core designs in Storm's history. Visually, the ball comes in a striking color combination of Black, Pink and Red, which makes its rotation easy to track down the lane. Inside works the proven RAD-X Core (Radial Accelerating Disk), an asymmetric core with extremely low RG values (2.48 in 15 lbs) and a high differential (0.054). This "machine" is wrapped in the NRG Pro Solid Reactive coverstock, which comes with a 2000-grit Abralon finish out of the box. Even before the first shot, this combination signals a clear focus on traction and control. As is typical for Storm, the Lock It also comes with its own scent, in this case "Grape Punch". Technically, the ball is positioned as an aggressive "heavy oil" tool, designed to read early and still retain enough energy to drive through the pins.
Comparison
In direct comparison, the Lock It falls into the category of strong, asymmetric solids. It shares its DNA with Storm's legendary Sure Lock, though the Lock It's modern NRG Pro cover should provide a somewhat more versatile reaction through the midlane. Against current releases from other manufacturers, it shows parallels to the Harsh Reality from 900 Global, with the Lock It's RAD-X core tending to generate a quicker rev rate in the heads. Compared to the Gem from Roto Grip, the Lock It seems a bit faster at the breakpoint, but offers similarly high overall traction. For bowlers who use the Phaze II (Storm) as their benchmark, the Lock It serves as the logical "step up": when the Phaze II reacts too late or swims in the oil, the Lock It provides the necessary upgrade in friction and earlier core rotation. Unlike balls from the "Virtual" series (such as the Virtual Energy Blackout), which rely on snap at the end of the lane, the Lock It focuses on stability and a heavier roll phase in the pocket.
On the Lanes
The ideal application for the Storm Lock It is lanes with high oil volume or fresh sport patterns, where control in the heads and traction through the midlane are decisive. Thanks to the rough 2000 surface and the rev-happy core, the ball bites early through the oil film and prevents skidding past the breakpoint. If you throw the ball fast (speed dominant), this ball is an excellent tool, since the core provides the support needed to get the ball into its roll phase in time. If you have lower ball speed, you should use the ball on very oily conditions or adjust the surface with polish to keep it from burning up too early. The ball motion can be described as a strong arc that nevertheless doesn't stop working at the end of the lane. The ball should smooth out the transition phase of the lane and minimize inconsistent reactions on carrydown. It is less suited to dry lanes or broken-down house shots, where it would lose energy too early, which could hurt carry. In summary, the Lock It is the first choice for opening up the lane and playing a wide line on fresh oil.