The newest addition to Hammers' mid-priced line is the green/silver Toxic. This sharp looking ball features a modified Raw Hammer core and the proven Enhanced Max-Flip Reactive coverstock with the new Traction Pearl.
Technical data is as follows. 16 pounders - rg: 2.50 diff: .045 15 pounders - rg: 2.50 diff: .050 Although the Toxic features a slightly lower rg than both the Pain and Doom, the new Traction Pearl cover really helps this ball get through the front of the lane very cleanly resulting in a sharper move at the back end.
Our test ball had a 2 1/2 inch pin with 3 ounces of top weight. We drilled ths one pretty much over the label and wound up with a 4 3/4 pin by 4 cg (inches from positive axis point.) The first condition we tested the Toxic on was a 39 foot, non-house shot type condition. Oil was applied rather evenly across the lane and the volume was moderate. On the fresh, the Toxic was slightly speed sensitive as it was easy to leave 2-10 combinations. No surface adjustment was made, however, since we wanted to see what this ball would do once the lanes were broken down. That proved to be a wise decision. After about a half an hour (we also threw shots with a Pain and Widow, both with some surface) the front of the lane offered significantly more friction. The two balls with surface were beginning to show signs of bleeding energy as carry percentage began to diminish a bit. At this point the Toxic began out hooking the other two, especially down the lane. Its shiny cover easily cleared the heads but the Toxic still had plenty of “read” in the mid-lane and the move in the back was stronger than the Doom. Carry was very good.
One other test the Toxic passed with flying colors was on a modified house shot in a tournament. The surface was wood with guardian and the energy retention was fantastic as this ball hooked hard in all the right parts of the lane.
The Toxic is a very nice ball that will work well on a variety of conditions for bowlers of all styles. Its pearl cover probably won't be the best choice on tight lanes without some surface adjustments, but Hammer has many other options to combat heavier oil.
Mb.c thanks Joe Farley and Brian Graham at Hammer for the test ball and Karl Wolf and Hi-Roc Lanes for use of the facilities.