- Scandal Pearl

First Impressions
The Hammer Scandal Pearl, released in October 2016, brings the Scandal series' revolutionary carbon fiber technology into a pearl shell. Visually, the ball comes in a striking color combination of green, smoke and gold that really pops thanks to the polished finish. Inside works the symmetric Scandal Core, spec'd with a very low 2.48 RG and a high 0.054 differential (at 15 lbs). Those numbers produce early revving and strong flare potential. The real standout feature, though, is the Semtex Pearl CFI coverstock (Carbon Fiber Infused). This carbon fiber reinforced cover, finished out of the box with 500/1000 Abralon and Powerhouse Factory Finish Polish, promises not only increased durability but also improved energy transfer to the pins.
Comparison
Compared directly to the original Hammer Scandal (solid), which was known for its extremely early, hooking motion in oil, the Scandal Pearl gets noticeably more length through the heads. Where the solid practically plows through the lane, the pearl skids over the heads and saves its energy for an explosive change of direction at the breakpoint. Set against the Hammer Dark Legend, the Scandal Pearl offers more overall hook and a more aggressive backend motion thanks to the stronger core and the modern CFI shell. Against a Storm Phaze II (solid), which was popular around the same time, the Scandal Pearl provides a completely different shape: it is cleaner through the heads and more angular off the end of the pattern, while the Phaze II is rounder and earlier.
On the Lanes
The Scandal Pearl is made for medium oil and lanes that are in transition. It's the ideal complement when dull solid balls start hooking too early and losing energy. Thanks to the polished surface it ignores broken-down heads, while the strong symmetric core makes sure the ball doesn't "fall asleep" in the midlane but instead turns aggressively toward the pocket. It lets you move deep inside and open up the pocket wide. The carbon fiber technology in the outer core also delivers exceptional carry, since the pins are kept low and less energy is lost on impact.