Faball Hammer 3D

Question
Hi Ron. I have a Faball Hammer 3D ball that I believe to be from around '95 or '96. It's not a High Rev model, just has 3D on one side and a circled R with Faball inside on the other. I was wondering what the hook potential would be and what oil conditions the ball would perform on best. I don't know much about Hammer products as I own and use mainly Ebonite balls. I just wanted to know how good the 3D is and if it would be worth getting the ball redrilled to my specs. Thank you much!

Answer
I tried looking up the specs on the 3D on Hammer's website but since Hammer merged with Ebonite the older products are not online anymore. If memory serves me correctly the 3D was one of the first balls that sported an asymmetrical core. Other balls of the time used light bulb or barrel shaped cores that were symmetric in design but allowed drilling techniques to offset the weight of the ball.

The circle R should indicate that the ball has a reactive urethane coverstock, which hooked more than the "plain" urethane balls. However compared to current bowling balls the 3D does not hook nearly as much. Depending on the amount of oil your ball has absorbed the 3D should have a hook factor comparable to "mid performance" balls. If the ball has not been cleaned or had the ball "baked" to remove the oil it may not hook much at all.

If you want a ball with mild, controlled arcing hook to use on wood lanes then this ball might fit your game. If you want a lot of hook, or bowl on synthetic lanes, you will get greater hook with more current models.