- Knock Out Black and Blue

First Impressions
The Brunswick Knock Out Black and Blue continues the success story of the original Knock Out and brings one of the most reliable core/cover combinations to the market. Inside works the legendary Melee core, a symmetrical design with a low RG of 2.487 and a differential of 0.050. These numbers traditionally produce an early revving ball and strong motion through the midlane. The decisive upgrade, however, is the surface: Brunswick uses the Savvy Hook 3.5 Solid Reactive coverstock here, a further development of the predecessor's 3.0 version. Out of the box, the ball comes with a rough 500/1500 Siaair Micro Pad finish. Visually done in black and blue, it conveys pure stability even on the shelf. On the lane, that impression is confirmed immediately: the ball reads the lane very early, digs through the oil in the heads and shows an exceptionally smooth, arcing motion without any jerky changes of direction. It is built to create traction and to smooth out uncertainties on the lane. Comparison Comparing the Knock Out Black and Blue with the original black Brunswick Knock Out, it is immediately apparent that the new version is "more ball." Thanks to the Savvy Hook 3.5 cover, the Black and Blue grabs earlier and offers more overall hook than its predecessor, but retains the familiar rounded motion characteristic. An unavoidable comparison among symmetrical solids is the Storm Phaze II. Here the Knock Out Black and Blue often rolls somewhat earlier and reacts even more smoothly to friction at the end of the oil pattern, while the Phaze II can sometimes generate a slightly sharper angle into the pocket. Compared to a ball like the Brunswick Melee Jab Midnight Blue with its pearl surface, the Knock Out Black and Blue is clearly earlier and more controlled. It serves as the stronger partner that prepares the way before you move to the cleaner Melee Jab once the lane breaks down. On the Lanes This ball is the definition of a benchmark ball. It is ideal as the first ball out of the bag on fresh, medium to heavy oil. Thanks to the rough surface and the strong core, it smooths the transition from wet to dry beautifully and prevents overreaction at the edges of the pattern. For tournament bowlers it is an indispensable tool for reading the lane, because it shows very honestly where the oil is and where friction begins. It is especially effective if you like to see the ball "roll" and need predictable motion in order to make adjustments. If the heads get too dry, however, or start to burn up, the ball will lose energy too early and carry will suffer. At that point in the transition, it is time to switch to polished balls or weaker cores. It needs oil in the front part of the lane to fully play to its strengths — control through the midlane and a heavy roll into the pocket.