Purple Hammer | Bowling Ball Review | OLD VS NEW!!!

OLD VS NEW??? Hammer has released more iconic Purple Hammers, the urethane monster that is loved by many. Here today, Ryan "Barks" Barker will compare the new Purple Hammer, to the old Purple Hammer. Is new truly better than old??
Subscribe for weekly bowling videos and ball reviews on the newest bowling balls - / @jrproshop
WHAT IS JR PRO SHOP???
JR PRO SHOP - Channel Trailer - • JR PRO SHOP - Channel ...
CHECK OUT OUR BRAND NEW ONLINE STORE - shop.jrproshop.com
FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA ↓↓↓
Instagram (latest updates) - / jr_pro_shop
Facebook (helpful information) - / bowlwithjr
JR Pro Shop Website - jrproshop.com/
Lucky 9 Lanes - bit.ly/30lQsVr
OTHER HELPFUL VIDEOS ⌄⌄⌄
Rule of 31 | Understanding Oil Patterns | WHERE IS THE BREAKPOINT?? - • Rule of 31 | Understan...
HOW TO HOOK A BOWLING BALL!!! - Simplified - • HOW TO HOOK A BOWLING ...
HOW TO BUILD A PERFECT ARSENAL FOR YOUR GAME?! - • HOW TO BUILD A PERFECT...
VISIT BUFFA BOWLING WEBSITE - shop.buffabowling.com/
use promo code: JUNGOBARKS for 10% off at checkout
Timestamps!!!
0:00 - Intro
1:11 - Broadway 37'
5:41 - Mercury 40'
7:41 - Summary
If you have any questions or suggestions, shoot us an email - [e-mail]

[@webmoss]

A lot of things get softer over time…. 😅

[@brzdy8834]

That’s what she said

[@edcnoyb3782]

🙄🤣

[@Sproutt]

(slowmotion dubbed audio) Noooo!!

[@cwagner4704]

😳😳😜

[@tyhall131]

I started throwing urethane on some of the flatter sport patterns. I really like that it lets me keep my angles more closed. Also, doubles as a spare ball!

[@dgriffo1369]

Yes I was waiting for this!!! Let’s goooooo!!

[@Brett_Jones]

Excited for my Purple Hammer that I just ordered through the league I'm in. Started bowling with a urethane bowl and can't wait to get back to using one

[@BigDaddyCam98]

"I need to move way right" *moves two boards*

[@Blue-cq2hl]

That's a lot for a lefty

[@aga11ah]

@@Blue-cq2hl facts hahahahaa

[@jrproshop]

Haha I usually move 2 boards in 4 games of league. So 2 at once is a big move!

[@McCollum2009]

2 boards in 4 games. I'll move 10-15 boards in 3 games

[@peytonpatterson2060]

I have an old Track Shark from 1991 or 1992 and love it. It still hits hard and reacts very much the same as it always has.

[@AngeloMolino]

Ohhhh what a memory for me ! With the Track Shark in the 1993 i did my first 300 when i still was in Italy !!

[@Taegashi]

My first ball was a Brunswick avalanche urethane and I loved that ball.

[@haynlavaboy]

I'm a 2 handed lefty throwing a 4x drill purple hammer, tried other urethanes(natural, hot cell) and also the pitch purple which is more like a weak reactive and it's not the same, only the hammer gives me the shape I like. This is the first review that I saw that the new did not out-hook the old. but the other 2 were 2 handers Packy and Kevin. after this video the new hammer might be better for me than i thought, just wish they didn't change the release date.

[@KyleSmith-lb6bj]

I love uranthane, I still throw the old school black and orange rhino.

[@timnelson832]

Never had a urethane ball, but have been wanting one. I used to really dislike it when I'm bowling with someone using urethane on the same pair as me, but I figured out a way to play around them.

[@johnnyjdogg33]

Another great video!

[@brzdy8834]

Urathan is a good ball when the lanes break down for me.. I tend to put more revs and keep my speed down when I throw it because I have very low revs and speed. It’s also good for dry lanes for me. I have only used it once on fresh for a 40+ foot pattern and it was on Tokyo 43.

[@jensmillgard]

Thanks! This is exactly the comparison of old vs new I want to see.

[@fishfacemo]

Just got the purple hammer and cannot wait to throw it in already in love and never threw it yet! ❤

[@drklener]

Just picked up a used purple hammer from my local pro shop for $60. The drilling is very similar to my burner pearl, and my interchangable thumb slots right in perfectly! Loving it so far.

[@mrwpfootball]

Finally now I can decide if I’m going to get the purple hammer my guy barks is up 🤟🏽

[@clarkeemalarkee]

Just bought this ball (the new one). Excited to see how it performs. My first urethane ball. Can’t wait to see next weeks video against the pitch black too, I almost got that one instead.

[@skimmilk8352]

The new one is not urethane it's reactive

[@mikeylikesit14]

Just bought a Pitch Black! I love it!

[@hersheljones9467]

I really love urethane usually play first game of league with it to open up the lanes

[@gcb]

I have a pitch purple when the lanes start to break down I can move left and Play a little firmer so urethane is definitely for me

[@leegreenontheair2285]

I like urethane because they last much longer than reactive resin , not to mention that urethane balls have been around since 1981 so basically they paved the way for reactive resin , my first urethane was the Blue Hammer urethane from 2011 and now I have 3 urethane balls (U-Motion , Black Widow Urethane, and, the new Purple Hammer)

[@drwisdom1]

My theory of bowling dictates you walk in to the pro shop to buy strikes. You don't go in there to save money so lasting longer doesn't matter. I think my first urethane was a Columbia black u-dot, but I threw it away when I last moved not thinking it would ever be useful. But I still have my very first ball - a Brunswick Johnny Petraglia LT-48.

[@markanthony6758]

Man, I cant wait to get mine. Been waiting since March. Gotta kick two balls out of the bag now.

[@bradlittlejohn5273]

my first HP ball was urethane. Fab Blue Hammer, bought back in 1989. 2 months later I picked up the Blue Pearl Hammer. Both are still in my bag to this day. That said, While both the Purple Pearl Hammer (both original and remake) are great, the only request I would have for it would be to release the Black Widow Purple Pearl Urethane in N. America. Currently it is only in Japan. I'd pick up that ball in a heartbeat.

[@jrproshop]

We were hoping the same thing. It would be unique to the market right now

[@TrandafirRuby]

If people complain about urethane... would everyone be happy if we went back to wood balls and 15ft flat oil? No right? Then it's one of the things that keeps advancing as well and is another tool in the bag. Yes it's hard to adjust on the lane, but so is bad breakdown using reactive.

[@jamievsjamie8377]

-_-

[@cemeterybowling6]

I’m a 2-handed lefty, purple hammer urethane is my go-to on light, short, or house patterns. Followed closely by the purple hammer solid

[@22chuman]

I love being a southpaw, I wouldn't have in any other way. I have a 14lb 19' Purple Hammer in the bag and one undrilled on the ball rack for backup.

[@jeffthompson8033]

Already had this pre ordered for my wife don't think I'll trade out my u motion use mine for spares and when I can't figure out the lanes

[@melvintang5351]

I like urethane.. I'm using purple hammer and I bowl that a lot with it ..

[@TheRagingRayn]

Being a high rev bowler, Urethane tends to help me whether I'm using it, or someone else is.

[@marcus48935]

i have a Pitch Purple, never really use urethane in the past, but really loving it! Can be very fun to use :)

[@nordattack]

Pitch Purple is not urethane. It is mild resin.

[@marcus48935]

@@nordattack check storm bowling website, it is still stated as a Urethane

[@nordattack]

@@marcus48935 I know, they say that but it is not true. But if it works well for you who cares what it is made of.

[@marcus48935]

@@nordattack You are right xD, but hey thanks for correcting, always important to know your equipment well 😊😁

[@ericolsen18]

I have a red hammer from the 80s that still hits the pins hard. I just ordered a new one and can’t exit to see how it performs against the old one

[@Sproutt]

they really made sure that you can see the hammer logo. its much thinker of engraving

[@igoramaral95]

This was... interesting to say the least. Very different results in comparison to other reviewers.

[@Fluffyguy958]

Yeah this is not what I was expecting.

[@timwatson3192]

I don't love it or hate it. I am new to Urethane and learning where and how to use it.

[@dejabowler873]

As a lefty in going to get kick out of team lefty but I don't like urethane I'm a resin slinger

[@Intimidator305Mike]

I have a Pitch Black, a Hot Cell, and a Fever Pitch. I also have the Purple Hammer on the way. Needless to say, I like urethane bowling balls

[@nordattack]

I know how you feel. I have: -Visionary Midnight Scorcher Particle urethane (you want hook, this is as much hook as a ball ever had) -Visionary The Crow -Genesis The Judge -Two Hot Cells -Purple Hammer -Fever Pitch -Fast Pitch -True Motion -Mix -Columbia Black U-Dot -AMF Angle Plus -The Grizz I think an intervention is in order...

[@Litjlien]

@@nordattack How's your look on Fast Pitch? Played tournament on 35" boardwalk last saturday and sunday, and could see other players hook much more with Pitch Black... Earllier ofcourse, but much more overall. I expected my Fast Pitch to skid slightly more, but roll much harder. Tried to break at 2-4, but my Fast Pitch often just went right through 3-pin and split. I consider myself a stroker+. Could see players at my next lane play Pitch Black straight down 6-8 and hit pocket perfect. I find it kind of irritating when there's something called "rule of 31" and obviously it doesn't apply everywhere :p Guess I should get better on reading lanes..

[@nordattack]

@@Litjlien My experience with the Fast Pitch has been much less hook than Pitch Black or other solid urethane balls. I have not been able to use it on sport shots because it is too weak overall. It does not get started up soon enough to get through the pins. I tried it on Turnpike, Rome and 2012 US Open and it just was not enough ball, even at 1000 grit to carry. Fast Pitch is really a ball for blocked house shots. The dry to the right helps it get started earlier. I am a low rev stroker and I am sure there are some high rev bowlers who can get the Fast Pitch to be effective. For us low rev bowlers we need a stronger urethane option that gets started up earlier and rolls heavy with control. I have my new Purple Hammer on order and I am looking forward to it. I have one old Purple Hammer with Axis layout and it is very effective on longer sport shots like Rome and Nationals Team pattern. You really can't go wrong with the Purple Hammer.

[@Sproutt]

the og purple hammer doesnt like to stop hooking when you play up the boards

[@cwagner4704]

I’m building a 3 ball arsenal , I’ve got a Gem and a Hyroad Max I’m thinking the purple hammer is what I want to complete it . Any thoughts?

[@nordattack]

Wonderful comparison! Thank you so much. But is your old one really softer than the new one? Why not measure them both with a durometer and see? Oh, by the way, what happened to the Purple Tank review?

[@jrproshop]

You know anyone with a durometer ? Lol

[@nordattack]

@@jrproshop You are a Pro Shop and you don't have a simple durometer? Here is one: www.amazon.com/Portable-0-100HD-Hardness-Durometer-Flooring/dp/B00M95EP7S/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=bowling+portable+durometer&qid=1625160674&sr=8-1

[@markwilliamburright8160]

you also play inside 23 to 7 it will come back on house shot

[@JoshyTB270]

@Jr Pro Shop Can You guys do some examples of increasing ball speed in a video? Thats should be the next video!

[@jrproshop]

thanks for the suggestion!

[@Dreamsindriveways818]

I really like the proton physics and this hammer as far the over all shape down the lane are they similar ?

[@jrproshop]

Quite different actually. The Proton Physix can handle much more oil

[@Dreamsindriveways818]

@@jrproshop that’s for the reply guys ! Last question I just got a zen master and a jackal ghost is that to much over lap ? And is a arsenal with all solids to similar ? Phaze 2, Zen M , Jackal G ! Thanks !

[@Sproutt]

my purple hammer seems like it hooks way more than it should too.. but you need to throw the old Purple hammer harder to see what i was seeing before. edit- (its a batch #9 serial number if it really matters)

[@masliah1147]

Love urethane

[@connorallen9711]

I actually got an original purple hammer for free from a guy who didn't like it at all. Ball only had like 2 games on it.

[@justinc5998]

I started bowling using plastic and urethane so I like it...just don't bowl enough now to warrant keeping one in the bag though. Urethane is no bueno on house shots for me. lol

[@drwisdom1]

Who told you to start bowling using plastic? Plastic balls weren't made to get strikes so you can't use them the learn how to bowl.

[@davidburton3447]

@@drwisdom1 you assume he started recently. i started with plastic too in the late 70s when i was 6. got my 1st urethane when i was 18 in the early 90s. btw there are bowlers out there averaging 220 throwing nothing but plastic and rubber.

[@jamesmooar3566]

Any interest in testing the new Swag line balls? i.e. Joker Wild?!? Heard some good crazy things about them now that they are PBA approved.

[@jrproshop]

Maybe in the future, haven't heard much of them yet

[@rubenasandwich2842]

I'm trying to get back with urethane. Though I only have so much money

[@collinbrummund5925]

I understand why urethane exists. I just recently got a Pitch Black, and I definitely don't understand how it works

[@michaelw_yee]

Just gotta find a line and hit it consistently. I’m also having that problem because I’ve used reactive my entire life and I never play up second arrow

[@collinbrummund5925]

@@michaelw_yee That's how I feel. Granted my thane is third drill. I think I need to scuff it up

[@jrproshop]

The characteristics of urethane is that it hooks extremely early and that's basically it. So if your trying to play a swing line. It'll look terrible for most bowler. Straight down the boards with medium to heavy oil patterns is key

[@collinbrummund5925]

@@jrproshop I haven't tried to swing it, it just feels unresponsive when I feel it's the play. Cheetah, Viper. Patterns where the fronts are on the heavier side but not a super long pattern

[@alexanderbreen4010]

Even though I’m a lefty, the pattern has to be just right for me to use urethane, a lot of the conditions I bowl on are longer so the conditions are just not ideal. But the pitch black is a great spare ball and it gets a lot of usage because of that!

[@ohioproducer]

What weight are you throwing? Lefty here too and thinking of going from 15 lbs to 14 lbs....

[@jrproshop]

I’m throwing 16 lbs. If a 15 lb ball is feeling too heavy and causing too much strain, it’s ok to go down to 14. You won’t sacrifice any hitting power, the way balls are designed today, anything 14-16 pounds will hit just as hard.

[@ohioproducer]

@@jrproshop Thank you. In my younger days 16 was where I started...over 50 now and just feel there is more strain and I would like some control....looking to have the purple and pitch black as my new arsenal.

[@rayb7295]

could you play that same line on the House shot?

[@brandondriley]

That’s the only line he ever plays

[@jrproshop]

Probably, but using urethane on a house shot wouldn’t be my first choice

[@rayb7295]

@@jrproshop the house shot is so flaky that I have to start with urethane then move to resin

[@earthwormjim7310]

Is the older one just softer now??

[@mugendude81]

If you have enough hand then urethane isnt a bad option but for regular rev rates guy throwing it on house shot is just dumb. Way better balls to go to then chucking a urethane down lane and watching a low reaction through the lane

[@CurtisL8.3066]

Also, what are the lane surfaces at this house?

[@jrproshop]

We have 25 year old Brunswick Anvilane, and we use a Kegel Flex lane machine.

[@CurtisL8.3066]

@@jrproshop hmmm, kinda disappointing results on this ball. Everyone else says that it’s more downlane, more continuous through the pins, sharper off the spot etc, but you can’t deny video proof here. Might have saved me 200 bucks, cause I was damn sure gonna punch one up before I saw this video.

[@markwilliamburright8160]

17 to 7 with the new

[@drwisdom1]

Urethane is semi-obsolete. Back in the 1980s when urethane balls came out they were great because they had more hook than previous balls and scored higher. But with the advent of synthetic lanes in the 1990s and reactive resin balls alleys started applying lots more oil, so for most bowlers urethane balls don't hook enough and are weak. There is a minority of high powered bowlers that put loads of revs on their shots causing their balls hook too much. Urethane balls give those type of bowlers control so they can accurately blast the pocket on today's alleys.

[@LowEnd31st]

You can say it’s having a Renaissance though

[@enigma8464]

My friend bowls with nothing but urethane. I personally hate it, and i can never control it the way i want to. btw got a question for you guys... I feel like the unluckiest bowler at my centre. I constantly hit good shots, hitting pocket most times when i bowl, however about 75% of the time, I am leaving either 10 pins, 7 pins, 8 pins or Simmo's favourite being the 8-10 split. What am I doing that is so wrong? I'm constantly getting the higher average bowlers at my centre (those above 220 avg, we don't have many) watching me bowl, call it a great shot until it hits the pins, and their looks of disbelief after every shot is telling me i'm doing everything right. So I don't know what my problem is. Atm I average around 170-175 a game, but if all of those pocket shots took all 10 pins down, I'd be 200's easily. Roughly over a game i'd be lucky to strike 3-4 times, while having 5-6 9 counts leaving the above pins.

[@cooperbaldwin7207]

Your ball is most likely deflecting

[@slickwillie7159]

Alot of people that have the new one say it's not the same as the old one. Two hand bowlers have no problem you can hook a turd using two hands.

[@jrproshop]

Truth

[@alexstriker1969aw]

Hi Im Alex from germany and im playing bowling for 41 years. Whats the diffrence between the old and the New ball. In simple words, please. Alex

[@jrproshop]

When we did this video, I said the the old ball hooked a little bit more. Now that I’ve thrown the new one a bit and broken it in, they’re almost identical in ball reaction.

[@alexstriker1969aw]

Ok Thank you for the answer

[@donmeca69]

My new purple Hammer digs in and hooks more then both these balls at the break point. Doesn't roll forward...

[@jrproshop]

Other variables at play, lane surface, oil, oil pattern etc

[@800series]

The UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

[@jasoncorganbrown]

What year was the original purple hammer released?

[@jrproshop]

2016 we believe

[@jasoncorganbrown]

@@jrproshop I thought it was a retro 80’s ball for some reason!

[@bb1776.]

Wish we could get explanations for all these different terminologies being thrown around.

[@jrproshop]

Such as ?

[@JustJrTv]

Lol what lefty doesn’t like urethane. How you would compare this to the true motion?

[@elr2141979]

I have both true motion and the purple hammer the true motion is earlier and smoother down Lane. the purple Hammer has a little bit more length and more pop on the back end.

[@jrproshop]

The True Motion would be very early and smooth, almost like a Black Hammer. Less hook overall as well

[@user-zp6hq2oo8r]

Sounds like Eddie Kendricks "Can I"

[@user-zp6hq2oo8r]

I'm talking about the song

[@zdhome5727]

Can someone please explain why the ball is so controversial? I've heard people complain about it hundreds of times, but never explained why. (And i'm not talking about the urethane arguments in general, i mean THIS ball.)

[@maximusdepau]

It’s because at least with the original the hard urethane cover was made softer which made the ball hook a lot like a reactive and people thought the ball was making bowlers outperform how they would without it

[@jomaavila9720]

Sheeesh

[@Cdcd4393]

We all know why his old purple looks so good now. Thanks USBC lol

[@Sproutt]

the same guys who dont like urethane are probably the same guys who dont like the plastic ball tournements.

[@ryanreid8608]

I have to move way right.. moves 2 boards. Ha ha ha ha. Omg lefties

[@jax4654]

That’s a lot

[@TheNulGamer]

Never ever make fun off great barko

[@ryanreid8608]

@@TheNulGamer thats all I do.

[@jrproshop]

I don’t move that much in 4 games of league 😂

[@masterchief247]

That new hammer is 10 pin city guaranteed. Comes in SO flat.

[@theshawn6611]

so odd... because every other video of these 2 balls, i've seen the new purple hammer hook way more than the old one... maybe it's just how you throw, your layout, your tilt, just everything...

[@jrproshop]

Layouts were the same on both balls, so it was definitely eye opening to see the difference in reaction. It seemed like the new one flared a bit less, so that may have something to do with it

[@MrTjulius]

I have a new purple hammer and I swear it hooks harder than my axiom.

[@aidigitalmarketing46]

My ball speed is between 12 and 13mph. I use 2 fingers and NO Thumb. I get a lot of spin for my Slow Speed. I tried the Reactive balls but it just Grabs immediately and end up in the Left Channel. There is No Reactive ball that works for my Slow Speed Game. I think like Sean Rash Complaining so much is because he is NOT a good bowler. Sean likes to play the lane ONE way, the backends to Hook. If Oil is carried down the lane he does not bowl as well. These Reactive balls are Manufactured with Hook built in. You do not need Skill to make a Reactive Ball Hook. I bowl with a Green Ebonite Firebolt s/o ( ask Norm Duke, Pete Weber, and Randy Peterson about this ball ). This ball I can use on Any oil condition. This new Rule change should also Apply to the Reactive Resin balls to be Fair. I also think NO ball should ever be Sanded down or Polished. It should be how it was made from the Manufacture. The old USBC rules is to Never alter the Surface of a Bowling Ball. Picking on Purple Hammer because of being too Soft ? That is B.S. Paul Klanecky

[@DimitrisDr3am]

The irony in a no thumb bowler throwing 12 mph calling Sean rash a bad bowler lol.... He would absolutely crush you...

[@aidigitalmarketing46]

Maybe, I will roll my Urethane Bowling ball since it bothers him so much. I would mess up his break point and see how he handles it.

[@thefaballbowler]

Did you not see him foul

[@drivillain4967]

I hate Urethane, but I get why it exists on sport shots. Absolutely no reason to throw it on house shots though.

[@300x2869]

The new is much cleaner.

[@stevepetre2827]

Everyone loves to throw urethane, they just don't like to spell urethane...

[@bowlingxp8345]

It kinda looks like the new one os more urethane, and the old one more reactive cover....why am i not surprised ? LOL

[@egibs3565]

Urethane balls don't have pores 🤔

[@jrproshop]

They do have pores, but they’re very small and absorb oil extremely slowly. We’re talking days/weeks instead of minutes

[@egibs3565]

@@jrproshop Good point, thanks JR

[@CurtisL8.3066]

Lmao, so we roasting lefties today?

[@jrproshop]

Every day it seems like 😢

[@brandondriley]

It is my opinion that urethane is having a negative impact on bowling. Nobody wants to watch pros on tv use modified technology from the 1980s while manufacturers (some of bowling's best sponsors) sell fewer balls and the average person is not going to benefit from throwing urethane in their recreational league. How would this be solved? Lane patterns with less taper from front to back.

[@bradlittlejohn5273]

Yet, with all due respect, today's balls are all built from 1980s technology. All modern balls are 3-piece balls: core, outer core, shell. With the exception of the Black Widow Spare line, every ball from Hammer has been 3-piece. That even includes their other spare balls (True Blood, Taboo Spare, Gas Mask Clear, Cube, etc.). By contrast, every other modern day ball is built on 1990s technology, with reactive resin, and even those were based on 1980s technology, which were 2-piece balls. You can't cherry pick one piece of technology based on date and give the others a pass because they were created from technology based on that same date. As for a negative impact: Bowling is 90% mental, and 10% physical. The problem we have with today's technology is that people want to be able to hook right out of the box, no matter how hard or fast they throw it. Urethane, because of how smooth it is, requires CONTROL, which the bowler needs to understand. It requires knowing how to slow your ball down, and playing the right part of the lane: Not just left to right, but front to back. All of that is MENTAL, which is the portion of the game that is missing. So I'd actually say that no, urethane is NOT having a negative impact on bowling... but the lack of a STRONG MENTAL GAME is.

[@ryanreid8608]

Urethane 🤢🤢🤢

[@MrPlucky69]

URETHANE should be banned!

[@leegreenontheair2285]

You should be banned

[@Jesusfanatic0711]

Obviously will never happen so you need to learn to play with one or around it. It’s really not that hard honestly.