DV8
Hell Raiser Revenge

Bowler Ratings

PatternStTwCr
Oily:8.58.58.5
Medium:876
Dry:543
Sport:666

(1-10 in order of Stroker (ST), Tweener (TW), Cranker (CR))

General Ball Info

Coverstock Info
Name:
Class 7 Reactive
Type:
Reactive Solid
Box Finish:
500 / 2000 SiaAir
Color:
Black / Purple / Orange
Core Info
Name:
NA
Type:Asymmetrical
RG:2.48
Total Diff:0.056
Int. Diff:0.018

The Hell Raiser Revenge is the second release in the high performance line for DV8. It was designed to provide an early and strong ball reaction on medium to oily lane conditions. This new release is powered by the same core shape used in the first Hell Raiser, but has been altered to lower the RG and rev up quickly.

The strong and consistent ball reaction matched up best with our oily test pattern. The box finish allows the Hell Raiser Revenge to push down the lane rather easily for a sanded solid ball. All testers had to move further right than their usual attack position for this pattern. As the oil began to carry down, we saw the Revenge start to labor slightly to go through the pins at the proper angle. We changed the finish to a combination of 500, 1000, 1500, and 2000 Siaair pads. Stair stepping the grits pushed the Revenge farther down the lane, but increased the response to the friction.

The box finish will work on medium patterns for bowlers who have low to moderate rpms. These types of bowlers will still see moderate length with the same strong back end reaction on medium patterns. Higher rev rates will need to do what Cranker did on this pattern and add a coat of Rough Buff. If we had another Revenge to drill with a pin up layout, we believe we would have had more success on this pattern.

Short patterns like our dry test pattern are best avoided with the Hell Raiser Revenge. We raised the grit to a 4000 Siaair pad then used a healthy glob of Brunswick’s Factory Finish polish. Even at that finish, the testers were not able to find a consistent line to the pocket.

Sport patterns on the medium to oily side will be where the Hell Raiser Revenge performs its best. Those facing oilier sport patterns will want to try a rougher surface to even out the strong back end reaction. Our sport pattern was a little too short for the box finish of the Revenge. When we made the same surface adjustment as we did on the heavy test pattern, all three testers were able to strike at will.

Performance Ratings

NameValueComments
Torque
(1-10)
6.5
The Hell Raiser Revenge is stronger in the midlane than nearly any ball DV8 has released yet. The breakpoint shape falls into the strong arc category.
Length
(1-25)
11
This latest DV8 release uses the two-step finish process of a 500 then 2000 Siaair pad. This rougher surface wants to hook much earlier than the Hell Raiser.
Back End
(1-20)
15
In testing, we saw less back end motion compared to the original Hell Raiser. The rougher, solid coverstock of the Revenge just could not keep enough power to make a big back end move on our test patterns.
Total Hook
(1-100)
52
The overall hook potential of the Hell Raiser Revenge is higher than any ball in DV8’s short history. This ball is strong from start to finish.

Strengths: The ability to handle oily conditions is the biggest strength of the Hell Raiser Revenge. The cover takes surface adjustments very well.

Weaknesses: During the testing we just could not get the Hell Raiser Revenge to tip over in the back end as much as we wanted for our carry percentage to be high. Surface adjustments are a must for bowlers who do not see a lot of oil.

Overall Summary: The Hell Raiser Revenge offers earlier traction and more hook than any previous ball from DV8. Fans of this brand now have a ball for the floods.