Black Widow 2.0 Hybrid Ball Review by Jeff Ussery

Layout: 60 degrees x 5 1/2" x 40 degrees

RG: 2.50"

Differential: .058"

M/b: .016"

Surface: 1500 Sia Air w/ Factory Compound

Core shape: Asymmetric

Manufacturer's Intent: The Black Widow has become the most recognizable and trusted line in bowling. We are excited to announce the Black Widow 2.0 Hybrid, featuring our innovative HK22 base resin with the Aggression Hybrid additive package. HK22 and the famous Gas Mask core create a reaction further down the lane than the Ghost and with a considerably sharper breakpoint. The Black Widow 2.0 Hybrid has gone through more testing than any Black Widow in recent history; ensuring this ball is remarkable is the only way to release a ball with the name Black Widow on it. The Black Widow 2.0 Hybrid is not a replacement for the Black Widow line; it’s the best complement and addition we could create.

With most asymmetric cores, I use my pin up layout seen above on the Widow 2.0 Hybrid. After throwing a few of the new HK22 coverstock balls from Brunswick such as 3D Offset Attack, Defender Hybrid, and Bigfoot Hybrid, I was really intrigued to throw this new Black Widow. 3D Offset Attack is a very nice piece for me, but the core is so big that it can bog down for me without enough lane oil. I didn't care for Defender Hybrid as much when throwing it up to 3D Attack. My Bigfoot Hybrid is a very good medium to medium-dry lane condition ball. So, I was eager to see where the 2.0 Hybrid would fit in.

Out of the box, the Black Widow 2.0 Hybrid is a beast. This ball is much cleaner down the lane than balls like Black Widow Ghost and Scorpion Sting, and it has way more backend movement as well. While I didn't throw this piece up against a Black Widow Ghost, I could easily see it being 5-8 boards more total hook than the Ghost. I've tossed the 2.0 Hybrid at three different centers now, and it does the same thing everywhere. It's long to super long paired up with big backend. Goes long, flips hard, hits like a truck is what we always joke about at the store. This one is exactly that. But the backend has that distinctive "controllable flip" that you're used to seeing from the Gas Mask core inside of Black Widow series balls. I don't see a better skid/flip ball on our wall at the store right now.

If you're going to be bowling at standard leagues on anything between medium-heavy and medium-dry environments, you're going to want to add this piece to your bag. I've yet to try a duller finish on it, but you're probably better off using the original 2.0 in that circumstance anyway, since it does have the solid black cover. I've also tried adding a little more gloss to this Widow 2.0 Hybrid, and all that did was increase the backend movement. That's another sign of a great piece. When you can alter surface and you simply get more/less hook in the same shape, the ball is very good. That's what I've seen from Widow 2.0 Hybrid so far.

Black Widow 2.0 Hybrid will be in stock in 12# through 15# on February 23rd. Stop by and see us for more info on the latest spider from Hammer!