Hammer Black Widow Tour V1 Performance Test

This has to be one of my favorites. Very nice and smooth down lane easy to read.

FL,USA

Here is my take on the new Hammer Widow Tour V1. The Widow Tour has a modified asymmetric Gas Mask core (Widow Gas Mask Low Diff Core... basically the Gas Mask core without the flip block on top) wrapped by the same coverstock used on the Widow 2.0 Hybrid, HK-22 Aggression Hybrid. The color is black/blue/purple and box finish is 3000 Siaair. The Widow Tour used in the video has a 45 x 4 3/4 x 25 layout and is thrown at box surface. Since being originally released in 2006, Hammer has yet to make a Widow I didn't like. Couple that with the fact that I generally love "tour edition" equipment and thus, when this ball was first announced, I was very eager to give it a try. To my eye, the Widow Tour V1 shows a clean yet very controlled motion down the lane. Let me try and give a little different way to explain it. In the last 3 years, Hammer has released 3 of my favorite "tour edition" balls, the Envy Tour, Effect Tour and now this Hammer Widow Tour V1. To interrelate the 3 of them from what I've seen, the Envy Tour was the earliest and smoothest, the Effect Tour felt like it has a little more shape to it than the Envy Tour and the Hammer Widow Tour V1 is the cleanest of the 3 but still with that smoother type of shape off the spot. That's probably the best way to interrelate the 3 most recent Hammer Tour Edition pieces. I see this ball being at its best on medium volume fresh patterns of a variety of distances where control of the lane is key. I believe also this ball will be in play for a variety of rev rates, speeds, styles etc. I know I will be drilling more of these in the not too distant future! The Widow Tour V1 releases officially on the 18th. See your pro shop for more information.

Hameer came out with a banger! This ball is great and versatile. Great for all handed bowlers.

FL,United States

This ball is awesome. Just hope rolls forever like it does OOB.

Va,united states

Quick delivery of bowling ball. So far the ball has been great.

PA,united states

This ball does exactly what it’s intended to do. Great pin action

FL,united states

Good ball

TX,United States

This is the first time I’ve seen this ball I tried it on the lanes it’s smooth and has backend .I bowled it on Saturday night league practice 5 strikes

Wisconsin ,united states

Was a great speedy delivery

NY,United States

If you're looking for a smooth asymmetric piece to go along with your more angular ones then you couldn't pick a better option! From what I've seen with this ball so far, it provides the shape that of all the other Black Widows but just toned down a bit. This ball allows me to play up the lane a lot more and allows me an option to throw on slightly dryer conditions. No matter what style player you are, you can find the benefits of owning the newest member of the Black Widow family.

Amazing ball, game 6 already threw a 300 with it.

united states

So far so good, two weeks in. Finding this ball gets thru the oil and has a natural bend into the pocket. For me at least it does not snap out of control, more of a gradual turn in. By no means am I a cranker but do spin the ball a bit.

Ohio,united states

WoW! I absolutely love this ball! This Widow is strong, smooth & versatile! Just bowled 34ft PBA Wolf standing at 9 & looking at 3 for a 250! It's also an absolute house shot killer! You're going to love this ball!

What's how you drill this one or else it'll get away from you quickly. This is also my very first widow. I know they've been out for almost 20 years but this is my first

united states

Love it

IL,united states

Great buy

NC,united states

Still getting use to it. Not as snappy as I expected but great ball to learn hook and is working well as a Spare ball as well

AZ,united states

This ball is amazing. The reviews I read and the videos are absolutely incredible. I like the ball very much. Hammer always produces a great product.

GA,united states

One of the smoothest balls I’ve used. Hits hard. Beautiful ball.

NICE BALL, GREAT ADDITION TO MY LINEUP, STILL TRYING TO SEE WHERE IT FITS JUST NEED MORE USAGE TO FIND SPOT

Georgia,united states

Worth every penny I spent

OKLAHOMA,united states

A modified black widow core that'll tell you quickly when lanes weren't oiled.

united states

My son loves it

TN,United States

Love this ball!!!

united states

Love love the ball!

united states

It’s a nice ball. Rolls into the pocket nicely

united states

Excellent product and service Ty

TX,United States

everything went perfectly received the ball right on time

Georgia,united states

Smooth transaction

CA,United States

I love my new ball! Glad I purchased it

united states

A second widow we bought for our son, he's in love with the widow line now!

SC,united states

Great Anniversary present

IL,United States

I asked my pro shop to drill the ball up for a nice smooth shape. Nailed it, nothing hits like a Hammer.

united states

Great when lines start breaking down gives me the length I need with a nice break point down lane

Colorado,united states

3 600s in a row. Great smooth easily controllable ball. Highly recommend

I wanted a ball that would hook on the back end in medium to heavy oil and I think I have found it. Tried it out on the weekend and found no oil on the lanes...what a hook. League play on Thursday so I will try the house shot and see what it does.

Texas,United States

Hooks like a champ! Great ball.

Oregon,united states

Overall, good ball. Reacts more than I thought it would.

united states

I bought the Hammer Tour V1 expecting a nice upgrade. What I got was a spiritual awakening. The first throw came off my hand so smooth it should have been wearing a smoking jacket. The ball glided down the lane like it had been bowling long before I was born. The pins did not fall. They surrendered. One of them wobbled, considered fighting back, then made better life choices and tipped over. My ten pin problem disappeared instantly which feels personally insulting because I spent years suffering for no reason. The lane oil parted for this thing like it was reenacting a major biblical moment. Other bowlers paused mid approach just to watch it roll. A guy three lanes down asked what ball I was throwing and I told him it was the ball his ball wishes it could be when it grows up. He nodded because he understood. My wife told me to calm down and she was not talking to me. She was talking to the ball. Even she knew who was really in charge. Five stars. If this thing ever decides to leave me for a higher calling, I will simply accept fate and remember the good times.

united states

Bought this ball for my husband he absolutely loves it!

Usa

Excellent ball for price

united states

Love it

AZ,United States

nice ball

united states

Got this as a gift for my son. He was very impressed with the quality and can’t wait to try it out

LA,united states

Have not drilled yet thanks

united states

This ball didn’t disappoint. Hooks into the pins beautifully. Increased my score by 20 pins. By far the best ball in my bag.

Got for my brother for Christmas he loves it. He bowled 3 games with it over his avg the day he got it drilled

FL,united states

The ball may have been drilled poorly, but the ball is hardly breaking. As a new ball the impact with the pins is very small. I will continue to work with the ball or even have it redrilled. Not impressed so far.

Ohio,united states

Seems like a good ball. Fast delivery!!

Wisconsin ,united states

My wife's game has improved 100% with this ball

Tx,united states

Great ball, reacts very well.

Pennsylvania ,united states

The best ball ever!

MO,United States

Good ball

united states

BALL SPECS Pin Length: 2 to 3 Starting Top Wt: 2.8 oz Ball Weight: 15 DRILL PATTERN Pin to PAP: 45 X 4 X 40 BOWLER INFO: Style: RH Stroker – Speed Dominant Rev Rate: 260 Ball Speed: 16 -17 PAP/Track: PAP: 5” and 5/8" up SURFACE PREP Box Finish and freshened with a 2000 pad. The Tour V1 takes surface adjustments well. Don’t be afraid to try some different grits on this one to optimize your reaction. LANE CONDITION Kegel Titanium (44’) House Shot COMMENTS The Black Widow Tour V1 is a new addition to the low diff collection. Balls with the low diff have become quite popular over the last couple years as they provide additional control that high rev players look for. Although I’m not a high rev guy, this ball still has a place in my bag when the lanes begin to get dry. On the broken down Titanium pattern, I was able to move left and get the ball to the friction easily. When the Tour V1 saw that friction, it made a surprisingly strong move to the pocket and gave me some nice hold as well. On the house shot, I had to stay in the dry. The ball got good length and made a sweeping move into the pins with excellent hitting power. For my style, this ball does not like oil, but is great in later games. Thanks for reading this review. Good bowling to all!

Nice!!

AZ,United States

I have never really been a huge fan of the gas mask core. I simply don't match up well with it. But with the flip block removed, the lower diff numbers give me a shape I was desperately needing in my bag. I drilled mine 35 x 4 x 65 (so it's pin down). It revs up early but doesn't seem to burn off and still gets through the pins nicely. I can see myself going to this when the pattern gets weird and I need some control.

The Black Widow Tour V1 really shines on the transition or breakdown. When you have to move way in to get fresh head oil, this ball will definitely recover in the back and create the angle you need in the pocket. I find it a bit too strong and too angular on the fresh.

I love this ball, only had it 2 weeks now and it’s my favorite to throw out of the nine I have now.!!

MI,united states

The first ever Black Widow I threw was the Black Widow Mania. I just never threw them because at the time, the Widows just did not fit in my arsenal. Now, I have a steady arsenal of Black Widow line balls in my bag. Here is my review of the new Black Widow Tour V1. The best way to describe this ball is by comparing this ball to two other hammer balls I’ve thoroughly enjoyed throwing, and those are the Hammer Effect Tour and the Envy Tour. The Effect was exceptionally smoot and very predictable. The new Black Widow Tour V1 in my opinion is very similar in ball shape and motion, but much cleaner through the front parts of the lanes. The new Black Widow Tour V1 has a modified asymmetric Gas Mask core (Widow Gas Mask Low Diff Core without the flip block on top) wrapped in the HK-22 Aggression Hybrid coverstock used on the Widow 2.0 Hybrid. The Black Widow Tour V1 has a 55x4x30 layout, but I also altered the surface on this ball. What I did was take some of the rubbing compound shine off the ball to make the ball shape a little sooner in the mid-lanes. For me, this ball is best used on medium lane conditions or even when backends are very strong. This ball is clean through the fronts and very strong and controllable off the spot. This ball is also one of those balls which are for bowlers of all averages, styles and speeds. If you are a fan of the Black Widow line, this ball will not disappoint. The new Black Widow Tour V1 is available at your local pro shop!

Great ball filled a gap in my game. Love it in my sport shot league

Illinois,United States

Two finger bowler here so I got it drilled pin down. I enjoy playing with this ball.

Ca,united states