- Statement Hybrid

First Impressions
The Hammer Statement Hybrid comes in an attractive design of black, aquamarine and silver tones that visually underscores the significance of this ball right away. With an RG of 2.47 at 15 pounds, a high differential of 0.054 and a mass bias of 0.015, the ball is built for demanding conditions. At its heart is the asymmetric Statement core, already used in the two previous Statement models, combined with the Aggression Hybrid CFI cover that also appears on the Hammer Rip'D. The surface is polished with 500/1000 Abralon and finished with Powerhouse Factory Finish Polish, which should produce an aggressive yet controlled ball reaction.
Comparison
Despite having the same polished surface as the Statement Pearl, the Hybrid starts to grab the lane a few feet earlier. It is less angular than the Pearl and less strong than the Solid, giving it a true bridge role within the Statement line. The Aggression Hybrid CFI should offer more skid through the heads compared to the solid version while at the same time generating more midlane traction than the pearl variant. In practice it compares well to the Hammer Gauntlet Fury, with both balls showing similar characteristics in terms of versatility and range of use. The ball really does represent a balanced blend of the Solid and Pearl characteristics.
On the Lanes
The Statement Hybrid shows its strengths especially on medium oil patterns, where all three testers got their best reactions. It offers moderate length with a strong move at the breakpoint and through the backend. The aggressive polished surface makes it possible to play various lines on fresh lanes. In test sessions the Statement Hybrid proved to be the ball that struck the easiest. When the Solid reads too early, the Hybrid provides more length but still reads the midlane well and doesn't react as hard at the breakpoint as the Pearl. Even on some medium oil patterns this ball can be used successfully. It is strong enough to play in the oil and arc out into the dry, generating the angle needed for effective carry. Misses to the outside are covered by the strong backend reaction, while misses to the inside are less forgiving.