General Info
| Brand: | Hammer |
| Name: | Wrench |
| Reviewed: | December 2012 |
| Empty | |
| Coverstock Specs | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Grand Theft Reactive III |
| Type: | Reactive Pearl |
| Box Finish: | 800 Abranet / 1000 /2000 Abralon / Powerhouse Factory Finish Polish |
| Color: | Red / Gold / Purple |
| Empty | |
| Core Specs | |
| Name: | NA |
| Type: | Asymmetrical |
| RG: | 2.50 |
| Diff: | 0.052 |
| Int. Diff: | 0.008 |
For details on our standard test layouts, please click here.
The Hammer Wrench is the latest tool added to the upper mid performance line. This is the first pearlized cover in this line since the Epidemic. The Wrench adds a pearlized version of Grand Theft III Reactive from the Jet Black Taboo and a modified version of the Mirror Plane asymmetric core.
This combination gave the Wrench a strong skid/flip reaction on our medium test pattern. The cover gave us more length than the Ratchet with a sharper move at the breakpoint. Our two testers with higher rev rates, who like to go more left to right, really liked the reaction on this pattern. We had enough traction in the oil and a strong, violent move when the ball saw dry.
Cranker and Tweener both liked the Wrench more on the heavy test pattern than Stroker did. All three bowlers removed the polish with a 3000 Abralon pad to give it some extra traction. With the cover adjustment, we saw a much earlier breakpoint, making the Wrench easier to control on this slicker pattern.
The sport pattern gave an average reaction to Stroker and Tweener at the box finish. Both these players were much more comfortable with the Wrench with the polish removed from it by a 2000 Abralon pad. The pearl in the cover still gave them moderate length, while the added surface controlled the breakpoint better. Cranker kept it at the box finish and liked it better than he did with the polish removed. At the rougher finish, he saw the Wrench try to start too early, giving him early hook or weak hits when he got to the pocket.
On the dry test pattern, only Stroker was able to control the big back end of the Wrench on this shorter pattern. Tweener and Cranker both removed the polish with a 4000 Abralon pad to get it to use up some energy earlier on the lane. With the polish removed, these testers were able to boost their ball speeds and play farther outside, allowing the Wrench to be more controlled as it came out of the pattern.
Strengths
We are not exaggerating the back end move this ball makes when it exits the pattern. The skid/snap reaction is the Wrench’s biggest strength.
Weaknesses
Only oil patterns that are both heavy and long will keep the Wrench from being used. Pull out a Brick or Taboo Deep Purple for those types of conditions.
Overall Summary
The Wrench is a great addition to the upper mid price line. The Wrench is the ball to go to when the Brick, Ratchet, or Taboo are starting to hook too much, too early.
