- Black Widow Pink

First Impressions
The Hammer Black Widow Pink is probably one of the most eye-catching balls of 2019 and jumps off any shelf thanks to its bright color. Technically, Hammer relies on the proven combination of the legendary Gas Mask Asymmetric core and a state-of-the-art shell. With a 2.50 RG and an extremely high differential of 0.058 (plus a strong 0.016 intermediate differential), the core holds massive reserves of power for flare and direction change. New is the Aggression Pearl CFI coverstock. CFI stands for Carbon Fiber Infused, a technology that is meant not only to increase durability but also to improve energy transfer to the pins. Out of the box the ball comes with a 500/1000 Abralon sand, subsequently brought to a high gloss with Powerhouse Factory Finish Polish. The result is a ball that glides extremely cleanly through the heads and shows an aggressive, almost violent reaction at the end of the pattern.
Comparison
The most obvious comparison is its direct predecessor, the Hammer Black Widow Black/Gold. While the Black/Gold was already a strong pearl ball, the Black Widow Pink is noticeably cleaner through the first 40 feet of the lane and generates a considerably sharper angle into the pocket. It is "longer and stronger." Compared to an Ebonite Choice Pearl, the Widow Pink shows a more continuous motion through the pin deck thanks to the Gas Mask core, whereas the Choice Pearl can sometimes stop up a bit abruptly. Against a Storm AstroPhysix, the Black Widow Pink offers a similarly strong backend reaction, but often feels as though it picks up a little earlier once it senses friction, which gives it an advantage on a bit more oil.
On the Lanes
The Hammer Black Widow Pink is the ultimate weapon for opening up the lane and playing steep angles. It is designed for medium to heavy oil conditions, but it definitely needs dry boards on the backend to complete its direction change. Its greatest strength is the ability to allow deep inside play: as a right-hander you can move far left and throw the ball well out to the right; the Widow Pink will come back reliably and lose hardly any energy doing so. It is perfectly suited for the transition, when balls with rougher surfaces start to burn up. Thanks to the carbon fiber technology it also stands out with exceptionally good carry, since it keeps the pins very low. On extremely fresh, long sport patterns it may be too slick, but once the pattern is defined it is often unbeatable.