- Sword Perfect

First Impressions
Released in March 2017, the Storm Sword Perfect is a special release for the international market (primarily Asia) that occupies a fascinating technical niche. Unlike most balls in the Sword series, which often relied on reactive covers, or the classic urethane balls of the Pitch series, the Sword Perfect combines the best of both worlds. Inside sits the extremely proven symmetrical Centripetal core, which reached legendary status above all through the Marvel series (Marvel Pearl, Marvel-S). At 15 pounds this core delivers a very low RG of 2.48 and a high differential of 0.050. For a urethane-based ball this combination is extremely aggressive, since it generates a lot of flare and early rotation. The cover is the real highlight: the Controll XG Urethane surface. This is a further development of the classic urethane blend (as used on the Pitch Black), mixed with "subtle reactive content". Out of the box the ball comes with a 3000-grit Abralon finish, which gives it a matte, even texture.
Comparison The Storm Sword Perfect is best described as "urethane on steroids". Compared directly to the Storm Pitch Black, which uses the weaker Capacitor core, the Sword Perfect offers considerably more flare (migration of the oil across the cover) thanks to the Centripetal core, and therefore a stronger overall hook motion. Where the Pitch Black often runs very straight and only tips slightly at the end, the Sword Perfect creates a real curve while retaining the extremely smooth and controllable character of urethane. Compared to the Storm Sword U (released in 2016), the Perfect offers a bit more backend reaction thanks to the "XG" (Next Gen) cover and does not dig into the heads quite as early. It functions as the link between pure urethane and weak reactive balls such as the Storm Tropical Surge. It is comparable to the later Storm Fever Pitch or the Roto Grip Hot Cell, since those balls also combined strong cores with urethane to generate more pin action.
On the Lanes The Storm Sword Perfect is a specialty tool for demanding conditions. Its ideal area of use is short sport patterns, "fried" house shots (extremely dry), or conditions where reactive balls react too nervously ("over/under"). Thanks to the strong Centripetal core it offers noticeably better carry than conventional urethane balls, since the flare constantly brings fresh surface to the lane and scatters the pins more forcefully. It is the perfect choice if you love the look of urethane (no overreaction to dry boards) but often find that normal urethane balls do not have enough hook potential to kick out the corner pins reliably. It lets you play more direct lines without having to worry about the ball going through the nose, yet it offers enough power to strike when you have to move farther inside.