- Special EFX

First Impressions
The Dyno-Thane Special EFX, a historic model from 1996, comes in a plain blue design with a matte factory finish. Inside works the in-house DT Dual Density Bell/Flip core, a two-piece construction built around a dynamic weight distribution. This core has a medium to slightly elevated RG value combined with a high differential. This design should ensure that the ball stores enough energy and develops strong flare potential. The core is wrapped in the SHD Reactive coverstock, which at the time of release was considered the manufacturer's most aggressive cover. The matte finish makes the ball build traction early, while the special core delays the entry into the roll phase somewhat. This combination of a core built for a late hook and a surface with traction aims to generate a steep entry angle into the pocket. For its era, the Dyno-Thane Special EFX therefore offered a very advanced balance of dependable readability in the heads and energy reserves for the back end of the lane.
Comparison Comparing the Dyno-Thane Special EFX with a modern benchmark like the Storm Phaze II makes the technological leaps in bowling clear. The Storm Phaze II uses a very low RG core paired with a modern solid cover, which results in an extremely early, smooth, arcing motion across the entire lane. The Special EFX, on the other hand, gets noticeably more length out of its medium RG value and reacts more aggressively once it hits friction, thanks to the Bell/Flip core and the high differential. Compared to contemporary rivals from the late '90s, such as the Brunswick Danger Zone, the Dyno-Thane Special EFX showed a somewhat more pronounced backend reaction. While the Danger Zone was known for its extremely even control, the Special EFX delivered a sharper change of direction through its specific core design. Against today's entry-level balls, the SHD cover still provides decent traction in oil, even though the material can no longer keep up with the chemical absorbency of current high-end coverstocks.
On the Lanes Based on its specs, the Dyno-Thane Special EFX finds its ideal use on house patterns with medium oil volume. Because of the matte SHD Reactive surface, the ball needs a certain amount of oil in the heads so it doesn't burn up energy too early and go flat. Once the transition sets in and the lanes dry up, the ball can be harder to control due to its high differential and its strong response to friction. If you have a lower to medium rev rate, the ball gives you good help, since the matte cover compensates for missing revs and the core still generates a dependable hook toward the pocket. When you have to move further inside and play more boards as the game goes on, the strong core design helps keep the ball on line and ensures solid carry. On heavily oiled modern sport patterns, however, the older cover material reaches its limits and can no longer build the traction needed to get the ball into a stable roll phase in time. All told, the Dyno-Thane Special EFX is a classic ball that impresses on moderate conditions with controlled length and a responsive finish.