The Vandal Smash gives the DV8 brand a new solid-covered asymmetrical option right beneath the Grudges in price point. Its low RG (2.499″) and high differential (0.055″) asymmetrical core is identical to the core that was used in the original Vandal. It is paired up with the Composite Flip Solid coverstock, finished with a 4000 SiaAir pad. This dull coverstock stores a good amount of energy for the back end, while still creating a big footprint in the midlane. We had a lot of success with this ball across our patterns, with its best reaction coming on our medium oil test pattern.

On our medium pattern, all three testers could play almost anywhere on the lane they wanted. We had control off the dry that allowed us to play tighter angles through the front, but we also had enough hook to move left into the oil and open up the lane. This ball’s strong coverstock makes it extremely versatile. After seeing how much area we had, we ...