- Statement Pearl

First Impressions
The Hammer Statement Pearl, released in February 2019, adds a dynamic option for playing deep on the lane to the Statement line. Visually, the ball comes in an elegant combination of gray, black and white, brought to a high shine by the Powerhouse Factory Finish Polish. Under the hood sits the Statement Core, an asymmetric core with very aggressive specifications. At 15 lbs this core delivers an extremely low RG of 2.47, a high differential of 0.054 and an intermediate differential of 0.015. Those numbers point to a ball that, despite the polished surface, is extremely eager to turn over and revs up early. The shell is the Aggression Pearl CFI cover. CFI stands for Carbon Fiber Infused. Hammer uses carbon fiber particles in the cover here to increase durability and maximize energy transfer to the pins. The combination of a very strong, early-revving core and a clean pearl surface promises a reaction that doesn't just skid a long way, but already builds stability in the midlane.
Comparison
Compared directly to the Hammer Statement Solid, which was designed as a pure "snow tire" for maximum oil, the pearl version is noticeably cleaner through the heads. Where the Solid seems to start working right at your feet and throws a very round arc, the Statement Pearl glides effortlessly across the first boards and saves its energy for the back part of the lane. Compared to the legendary Hammer Black Widow Gold (asymmetric, pearl), it's notable that the Statement Pearl develops a heavier roll in the midlane thanks to its lower RG (2.47 vs. 2.50 for the Widow). The Black Widow Gold is often more skittish and reacts more sharply to friction, while the Statement Pearl makes a somewhat more controlled but still massive change of direction. Against a Roto Grip Halo Pearl, which follows a similar concept (low RG asym pearl), the Statement Pearl often comes across a touch more aggressive at the breakpoint, which is partly due to the CFI cover technology that produces a harder impulse during the change of direction.
On the Lanes
The Hammer Statement Pearl is the ideal choice for medium to heavier oil patterns once the lane starts to change (transition). It is not a ball for extremely dry lanes, since the strong core (low RG) would otherwise jump too early and burn up its energy. Its strength lies in allowing a deep line ("opening up the lane") without swimming in the oil. Pearl balls often have trouble finding traction on oil that is still present in the middle of the lane – the Statement Pearl solves this with its massive core, which practically forces the ball into the lane, while the polished surface provides the necessary length. It works excellently if you like to "twist" the ball and generate a lot of rotation, but also if you throw the ball fast and are looking for a pearl that doesn't slide past the breakpoint. The carbon-fiber-boosted carry is especially noticeable on light hits, since the ball keeps the pins very flat.