- Black Widow 2.0 Ghost Pearl

First Impressions
With the Black Widow 2.0 Ghost Pearl, Hammer brings a fascinating new development to market that stands out above all for its exceptional length and late reaction. Inside works the dynamic Gas Mask core, which with a 2.50 RG and a 0.058 differential ensures a very clean motion through the front part of the lane. The pearl reactive cover is specifically tuned to store the ball's energy extremely efficiently. The surface condition, with a 1500-grit polished finish, supports this characteristic in a big way by letting the ball glide effortlessly through the heads without building friction early. Visually it's a real eye-catcher and immediately conveys that this model was designed primarily for later, sharper changes of direction. The technical match between core and cover is extremely harmonious and purposefully executed here.
Comparison
Comparing the Black Widow 2.0 Ghost Pearl with the Storm AstroPhysiX, the glaring differences in backend reaction stand out immediately. The Storm AstroPhysiX tends to read a bit earlier, while the Black Widow 2.0 Ghost Pearl holds its energy that decisive fraction longer and then reacts noticeably more aggressively to the dry area. This characteristic makes it the perfect complement in the arsenal when the AstroPhysiX starts losing energy in the pocket or entering too flat. Although both balls have a similar orientation toward lighter oil patterns, this ball offers a noticeably more dynamic angle. It's the ideal solution for situations in which the AstroPhysiX no longer develops enough drive, since it generates the necessary entry angle.
On the Lanes
This ball shows its greatest strength once the lane has been played in a little and the transition has clearly set in. It needs a certain amount of friction in the backend to develop its characteristic hook, which produces maximum, explosive carry. As the boards in the front part of the lane dry up, it lets you systematically move further inside and attack the pocket from a considerably deeper angle. It's very well suited to medium to dry conditions and an excellent choice if you're looking for a clean, quick-reacting surface. With its forgiving nature on misses out to the outside, it should keep scores stable at a very high level even in the late stages of a tournament.