- Shadow Lock

First Impressions
The Storm Shadow Lock, released in March 2022 as an exclusive "Overseas Release," continues the legendary Lock series. Visually it comes across as elegant and dark in Black, Platinum and Gunmetal, giving it a very technical look. Inside works the iconic RAD-X Core, known for its aggressive asymmetry. With a low 2.48 RG, a high 0.054 differential and a strong intermediate differential of 0.018 (at 15 lbs), this core delivers massive torque. It is paired with the R4S Hybrid Reactive coverstock, finished out of the box at 1500-grit polished. This mix of hybrid cover and polish signals a ball reaction that combines length with an explosive move at the end of the pattern.
Comparison Compared directly to the Lock history, the Shadow Lock sits strategically between the original Storm Lock (Nano solid, earlier roll) and the Storm Snap Lock (pearl, later kick). Thanks to the R4S hybrid cover it reads the midlane a bit better than pure pearl versions, but the polish gives it noticeably more length than a Storm Proton Physix. An excellent outside comparison is the Roto Grip RST X-2: both balls use a polished hybrid surface on an asymmetric core for plenty of backend reaction. Because of the RAD-X core, though, the Shadow Lock often feels a tick more aggressive and quicker in its change of direction (transition) than the somewhat rounder RST X-2 or a Storm Dark Code.
On the Lanes The Shadow Lock is an excellent choice for medium oil conditions and especially for the transition phase. It is not the ball for the very first set of shots on a flood of oil; instead it shines once the heads have broken down a bit and you need traction farther down lane. Its strength is the "skid-snap" motion: it glides cleanly through the heads, stores the energy of the strong core and releases it with a huge change of direction at the breakpoint. That makes it ideal if you like to open up the angle and throw from far left to right to bring the ball back hard into the pocket. The carry, typical for the Lock series, is often spectacular thanks to the steep entry angle.