- Purple Solid Urethane

First Impressions
The Hammer Purple Solid Reactive is a fascinating addition to the legendary Hammer line, and one that often causes confusion, since it looks virtually identical to its famous urethane sibling. Technically, however, this is a reactive solid ball. Inside works a modified version of the proven LED core. While the urethane version features extremely low differentials, the core here was "opened up" for the reactive cover: with a 2.586 RG and a 0.027 differential (at 15 lbs), it generates considerably more flare than the urethane original. The coverstock is a solid reactive material finished at the factory with a 500/1500 Siaair surface. The goal of this ball is to imitate the "look" of the Purple Pearl Urethane — that is, the controllable motion — but with the modern chemistry of a reactive ball, to create carry where urethane often arrives flat. It reads the lane earlier than the pearl version, yet stays surprisingly smooth and controlled for a reactive ball. Comparison The inevitable comparison is to the Hammer Purple Pearl Urethane. The Purple Solid Reactive is "more ball" in terms of reaction at the end of the oil pattern. Where the urethane ball gently "sits" and describes a very flat arc, the Solid Reactive generates a genuine change of direction through its higher differential and chemical friction, and accelerates harder through the pins. Compared to the Hammer Black Widow (Solid or Ghost), however, the Purple Solid Reactive is substantially weaker and more controllable; it doesn't have the enormous "boom" of the Gas Mask core. An interesting comparison is the Storm IQ Tour Solid: both balls aim at maximum control, with the Hammer Purple Solid Reactive tending to get through the heads a bit easier than the very early-reading IQ Tour, thanks to the LED core and the higher RG. It bridges the gap between true urethane and the strong benchmark reactive balls. On the Lanes The Hammer Purple Solid Reactive is the ideal solution for "tricky" conditions. It shines on lanes that don't have enough oil in the heads for urethane (where urethane would hook too early), or when carry with urethane suffers (corner pins standing). It's perfect for patterns with dry outside boards (wet/dry), since it softens the overreaction many strong reactive balls show there. It offers the security and predictability you're used to from the color purple at Hammer, but delivers the entry angle needed to kick out 10 pins. It is not a ball for heavy oil, though, since the core is relatively weak despite the modification, and not for extremely dry lanes either, since the solid surface would burn up too early there. It's a specialist for medium conditions and difficult transition phases.