Of all of the new Hammer releases, this is the one that bowlers have been requesting for years. The old school colors and logos will attract them at first and the performance will remind them why. This version of the Blue Hammer will perform the best on medium dry to bone dry patterns. While it is not the same coverstock formulation or core as the original, the Blue Hammer still provides a smooth urethane type hook and that’s the reaction that has been requested. The key to success with the Blue Hammer is to know when to use it–to attack short or drier oil patterns.

Short and dry perfectly describe our dry test pattern and it was no surprise that all three testers had the most success on this pattern. We were further right with this ball compared to many others. Playing further outside allowed us to keep using the ball without having to move deeper into the pattern.

The Blue Hammer rolled out of the dry so smoothly and so controlled where even the weakest resin balls like Razors would overreact. The hitting power was great as long as the ball encountered enough friction. When we didn’t trust it and missed into the oil, it held pocket, but we started seeing the 6 pin laboring in the gutter instead of smacking the 10 pin like it did on our good shots.

Moving to the medium test pattern, we needed to make massive surface changes to the Blue Hammer to get any reaction out of it. All three testers used a 1000 Abralon pad on each ball and changed their line to almost pointing the Blue Hammer to the pocket. Once we moved deeper, the carry percentage suffered. We used our usual layouts, but don’t be afraid to drill the Blue Hammer a little stronger.

Heavy oil patterns will not provide enough traction for the Blue Hammer to turn over. Stay away from the puddle, as this one will skid forever. The Blue Hammer will be a go-to ball for drier sport patterns, but will struggle on oily ones.

Strengths: The smooth controlled urethane reaction is perfect for the dry stuff. Late games in tournament blocks, old wood lanes, or short oil patterns that offer tons of friction will be when the Blue Hammer will get most of its play.

Weaknesses: Oil. Oil. Oil. For bowlers who don’t have 500+ RPM releases, the Blue Hammer will not create enough friction to handle medium oil patterns on smoother lane surfaces.

Overall Summary: With the addition of the Blue Hammer to their product line, Hammer has answered fans calling for a urethane ball to combat drier lane conditions. When even the weakest resin balls like the Backlash are still too hard to control, Blue Hammer will step up to the challenge.