- Widow Spare (2016)

First Impressions
The Hammer Widow Spare from 2016 immediately catches your eye with its striking orange and black color scheme in a transparent look. What makes this ball special is the combination of the proven asymmetric Gas Mask core (RG 2.50, differential 0.058) and a classic polyester/plastic cover polished to a high gloss. This unusual specification should ensure that the ball passes through the heads and the midlane completely without reaction, since the cover builds no traction whatsoever in oil. The strong core inside provides no more than a minimal stand-up at the pin deck.
Comparison
Comparing the Hammer Widow Spare to typical spare balls like the Storm Ice Storm, the Widow Spare has a touch more hook potential on extremely dry surfaces thanks to its asymmetric core. Against any reactive ball such as the Storm Phaze II, the Widow Spare offers absolutely no reaction in oil. When the lane transition is far along and there is extreme friction, the asymmetric core can grab minimally, but it stays essentially dead straight. It is not designed to attack the pocket from big angles.
On the Lanes
The Hammer Widow Spare performs at its best as a primary spare ball for all spares, or on completely dried-up lane conditions where any reactive ball would overreact drastically. Because it doesn't read the lane, it gives you the option of playing a direct line across any of the boards. Carry is secondary with this ball, since it is intended for precise, targeted shots. The Gas Mask core should do no more than give the ball a minimal kick into the pocket on a strike shot on dry lanes.