- Saber Pearl

First Impressions
Released in July 2018, the Columbia 300 Saber Pearl expands the brand's high-performance line with a dynamic complement to the original Saber. Visually, the ball catches the eye immediately with its vivid Purple/Orange color combination. Inside works the proven asymmetric New-Dyno core, known for revving up quickly and continuing strongly through the motion. With a low 2.50 RG, a high 0.054 differential and a 0.016 intermediate differential (at 15 lbs), this core offers plenty of power. It is wrapped in the Reflex Pearl Reactive coverstock, which has already proven its reactivity on other models. The factory finish of 500/1000 Abralon followed by Powerhouse Factory Finish polish lets the ball glide effortlessly through the front part of the lane before unleashing its full power at the breakpoint.
Comparison
The most obvious comparison is to the original Columbia 300 Saber (Solid). While the Solid was designed to dig into the oil and create an early, rounded motion, the Saber Pearl is the exact counterpart. It offers considerably more length ("skid") through the heads and reacts far more drastically to dry. Compared to the Columbia 300 Lit Pearl, which was also positioned in the high-end segment, the Saber Pearl often feels somewhat more controllable at the breakpoint. The Lit Pearl was extremely aggressive, while the New-Dyno core of the Saber Pearl allows a somewhat more continuous motion through the pin deck without losing any of its angularity ("pop"). It plays in a similar league to a Roto Grip Hyper Cell Fused.
On the Lanes
The Columbia 300 Saber Pearl is made for medium to heavier oil patterns once the lane begins to change ("transition"). It is the perfect step-down from the Saber Solid: when the Solid starts to hook too early and lose energy, the Pearl lets you move further left and open up the pocket. Thanks to the Reflex Pearl shell it generates a lot of friction in the backend, but it needs dry boards to initiate the change of direction. It suits you well if you like to play deeper angles and need a ball that comes back reliably even from way outside ("recovery") while still hitting the pins hard thanks to the asymmetric core.