- Angle Plus

First Impressions
The AMF Angle Plus (often also called the Black Angle Plus), which still played a weighty role in the AMF lineup in the early '90s, represents a significant technical evolution of the legendary original Angle. While the first urethane balls of the '80s were mostly built around simple pancake cores, AMF fitted the Angle Plus with the "High Density Balance Block" (a modified, denser weight block). This change was meant to address the biggest shortcoming of the early urethane balls: a lack of hitting power. The cover consists of a refined urethane formulation that comes sanded out of the box to ensure early traction. Visually, the ball stays true to the classic, purist black, but the technical "Plus" designation signals the claim to more hook potential and improved authority on the pin deck.
Comparison
In a direct comparison with the original AMF Black Angle (pancake core), the Angle Plus shows a noticeably more dynamic motion. Where the original Angle often rolled into the pocket "dead" and left corner pins on hits that weren't perfectly placed, the Angle Plus generates more rotation and energy transfer (carry) thanks to the high-density core. Compared with its main competitor of the day, the Faball Blue Hammer, the Angle Plus reads similarly early and controlled, but offers a somewhat softer urethane reaction that makes it less prone to over-hooking on very dry outside boards. Against modern urethane balls such as the Storm Pitch Black, however, it lacks the complexity of modern cores; its motion is more linear and less snappy at the breakpoint.
On the Lanes
From today's perspective, the AMF Angle Plus is an excellent tool for dry lanes or short sport patterns ("short oil"). Its urethane cover smooths out the jumpy reaction that modern reactive balls show on worn lanes (friction) and allows a controlled approach to the pocket. It is ideal if you like to play straight up the edge and need to rely on the ball not crossing over uncontrollably. In its own era (1991) it was an all-rounder for medium oil; today it serves primarily as a "safety ball" for difficult, dry conditions or as a very high-traction spare ball for advanced players.