- Scandal/S

First Impressions
Released in June 2018, the Hammer Scandal/S is the direct evolution of one of the most groundbreaking balls in Hammer history. The original Scandal was the first ball to hit the market with Carbon Fiber Infused (CFI) technology in the shell material. The Scandal/S carries on that tradition and brings the Semtex Hybrid CFI coverstock into play. Inside works the extremely strong, symmetrical Scandal core. With a very low RG of 2.48 and a high differential of 0.054 (at 15 lbs), this core is synonymous with early, heavy roll. Visually the ball comes in a dark combination of black, teal and blue. The factory finish is a matte 500/2000 Abralon. That's an important detail: even though it's a "hybrid," it isn't polished. It's designed to retain the traction of the original solid while saving a bit more energy for the pins at the breakpoint thanks to the hybrid mix.
Comparison
Compared directly to the original Hammer Scandal (solid, blue/green), which was known as the ultimate "hook monster" in oil, the Scandal/S offers a somewhat more versatile reaction. The original Scandal was sometimes so early that it "starved" on the lane (no energy left at the pin deck). The Scandal/S uses the pearl content in the hybrid shell to solve that problem: it still reads the midlane very strongly (thanks to the matte surface), but releases its energy a few feet farther down and a bit more forcefully. Bring the Hammer Phobia (pearl, polished) into the comparison and the Scandal/S is much earlier and rounder. It's the perfect middle ground between a pure "snowplow" and a skid/flip ball. It competes directly with heavyweights like the Storm Phaze II, with the Scandal/S often being perceived as having even a bit more traction in oil due to the CFI shell.
On the Lanes
The Hammer Scandal/S is a first-rate "benchmark ball" for heavier oil patterns and fresh sport conditions. It's the ideal choice as the first ball out of the bag to read the lane. Thanks to the strong symmetrical core and the rough surface, it smooths out the oil profile exceptionally well. It isn't prone to "overreacting" at the breakpoint. Its strength is continuity: it rolls heavy into the pocket and drives phenomenally through the pin deck (a hallmark of the CFI technology, which also increased the durability of the shell). It's perfect if you love the strong arc of a solid but need a little more help in the backend on modern oil so the ball doesn't hit flat.