- Kong

First Impressions
The Aloha Kong marks a historic turning point in the product line of the German manufacturer Aloha Bowling, as it was the company's first ball to feature an asymmetric core. Visually, the ball presents itself in a striking green, purple and black color scheme poured in a "swirl" pattern that immediately signals the ball's intent as a heavy-oil solution. Technically, the ball is based on the so-called "King Core." At 15 lbs, this asymmetric core has a 2.53 RG, a 0.051 differential and a 0.019 intermediate differential. Those numbers point to a core that revs up quickly but, thanks to the slightly higher RG (compared to extremely low 2.48 figures), should get through the heads better without burning up energy too early. This engine is wrapped in the "Primeval Solid Reactive" coverstock. This cover variant comes with a factory 2000 grit Abralon finish, which produces a dull, tacky texture that is necessary to generate traction on slick lanes. The combination of this aggressive cover and the asymmetric core aims to be a "monster" for heavy oil, as the manufacturer's marketing suggested at the time.
Comparison
Placed head to head with other balls, the Aloha Kong clearly sits in the high performance solid segment for oily lanes. One decisive difference from many competing products of its era lies in the 2.53 RG. Where comparable heavyweights such as the Roto Grip Halo or the Storm Sure Lock often try to roll as early as possible, the Kong appears to travel through the heads a bit cleaner thanks to the slightly higher RG before grabbing hard in the midlane. Compared with the later released "Aloha Kong Pearl," there is a clear division of labor: the original Kong (solid) is designed for the start on fresh oil and should produce an earlier, rounder motion. The pearl version, on the other hand, is intended to be used later, once the lane already shows transition and more length as well as a sharper entry into the pocket is needed. Among established US names, the Kong compares best with balls that combine strong asymmetric cores with tacky solid shells, such as the Storm PhysiX (though the Kong should tend to read earlier than the hybrid PhysiX) or the Brunswick Kingpin. It serves as the anchor in the bag, the ball to pull out when symmetric balls or weaker coverstocks slide through the soup and miss the breakpoint.
On the Lanes
The ideal scenario for the Aloha Kong is lanes with high oil volume or long oil patterns. Thanks to the rough 2000 grit surface, the ball should be able to cut through the oil in the heads and initiate a strong braking motion in the midlane. That is essential to ensure the energy transfer needed for optimal carry. If you throw the ball fast (speed dominant), you should benefit from the aggressive surface, since the ball helps you create the friction you often miss with smoother balls. If you are rev dominant, the ball is recommended above all on "flood" conditions, since on drier lanes it could tend to give up energy too early and burn up before it reaches the pins. The ball motion is said to show strong continuity through the pins. Instead of an extreme skid-flip reaction typical of pearl balls, the Kong should describe a controllable but powerful hook. That makes it a dependable choice for controlling the pocket and reading the pattern. Once the lane breaks down, however, and more friction develops in the front part of the lane, moving to a ball with a polished surface or a symmetric core would be the logical next step.