First Impressions
The Hammer Rebel stands out with a bright green and orange pearl design that is hard to miss on the lane. At the ball's center works the symmetrical Rebel Core with a 2.480 RG and a 0.044 differential. The cover is the NBT Pearl Cover, sanded and polished out of the box with 500 and 1000 Abralon plus Factory Finish Polish. The low RG makes the core rev up early, while the smooth surface still gives the ball enough length. These specs should let the ball get through the heads cleanly and develop a sharp hook off the backend.
Comparison
Compared with the Hammer Dark Legend Solid, the Rebel shows drastically more length thanks to its polished cover and a far more angular move at the end of the oil pattern. Against a classic symmetrical pearl ball like the Storm Hy-Road Pearl, the Rebel's core gives it a marginally earlier roll phase. When the transition changes the lane and friction increases, the Rebel's smooth cover keeps the ball from giving up energy in the midlane. That makes it an excellent choice on medium to dry boards.
On the Lanes
The Hammer Rebel is most at home on medium to dried-up lane conditions. It's an outstanding option for league bowlers looking for an aggressive ball motion once the lanes have been played in. Despite the smooth cover, the symmetrical core produces a dependable hook, which builds confidence when playing both direct and deeper lines. The ball should maximize carry by moving late and sharply into the pocket. On heavy oil, however, it lacks the necessary traction.