A Black Beauty…

First Impressions
Beautiful black ball. It’s like this is how they should all come. Easy length with very strong backend.

Our Testers:
Tamer Elbaga (Lefty)
Style: Tweener
RPM: 375 rpm
PAP: 5 & 3/8 up
Average Speed: 18.5 mph (at release)
Axis tilt: low
Axis rotation: medium/high
Test Equipment: 14 Pounds
Layout: 65 x 5 x 40
Intent: Medium/long roll with a medium transition at the breakpoint

James Kasee (Righty)
Style: Power Player
RPM: 425 rpm
PAP 4 1/2 & 1/4 down
Average Speed: 19 mph (at release)
Axis tilt: 19 degrees
Axis rotation: 60 degrees
Test Equipment: 15 Pounds
Layout: 65 x 5 x 40
Intent: Medium/long roll with a medium transition at the breakpoint

Bryan Hoffman (Righty)
Style: Higher Tilt Stroker
RPM: 280 rpm
PAP: 4 1/4 & 1/8 down
Average Speed: 17.5 mph (at release)
Axis tilt: high
Axis rotation: medium
Test Equipment: 14 Pounds
Layout: 65 x 4.5 x 35
Intent: Medium roll with a slow transition at the breakpoint

Thanks to Jeff Smith and Pure It Bowling for drilling our equipment.
Buy the Columbia 300 Chaos Black at PureItBowling.com.
Thanks to Limerick Bowl in Limerick, PA.

“Keep in mind that coverstock accounts for 70% of ball reaction, but the core creates the dynamic shape of the reaction. Your driller will alter the shape to suit your game.”

Test Pattern:
THS: 40ft, 23ml
Sport: Boardwalk: 35ft, 24 ml, 2:1 ratio

Value
B
The Chaos Black will be nice for bowlers looking for that skid/flip reaction.

Specs
The Columbia 300 Chaos Black uses the Chaos Core (symmetrical) core inside the Exciter Solid cover stock.
15 pound = RG of 2.48, diff of .054
14 pound = RG of 2.49, diff of .047
Coverstock finish: 500/1000 abralon polished with powerhouse factory finish polish

Overall
THS: B
Sport: C-
If you are nostalgic for a classic, here’s another one. The Columbia 300 Chaos Black is pretty. When I first saw this, I personally thought back on the feeling I had when I got my Hammer Jet Black Taboo. What you see with this one is good length and then a strong angular move. On fresh, I found it a little squirty. As a lefty controlling the consistency of the breakpoint is key as it breaks down much more slowly. I do love the shape this ball creates but it is very angular. For me too angular for fresh and when you get in deep enough, it’s a bit soft because it isn’t seeing enough friction. I came back to it after the pattern had broken down a bit and I had to move way further in and the ball became very angular with great drive. And while it is so pretty as is, I know this ball will be better with a little surface for me, just like the Jet Black Taboo was.

For James it was easier for him to use. He could get into his comfort zone right away as the ball seems the right strength match up to the pattern for him. He takes advantage of the very clean and angular look of the Chaos Black to throw it away from the pocket and have it come back and slice through the pocket. He kept chasing in and the ball maintained its ability until extremely deep. The biggest challenge is still on fresh, it is too angular to offer lots of forgiveness. Inside misses will not hold. Outside misses were only a problem from very deep.

For Bryan he saw very similar to what I saw. The Chaos Black is a very angular ball. It was difficult to play more direct on top of the friction as it is too flippy. He moved left and then good get a weaker hit as the ball is a bit too clean without enough energy. He felt like he had to thread the needle. Ultimately some surface on fresh would help but as is, the ball would prefer some breakdown where you can get in a bit and take advantage of the angularity on drier conditions.

Sport Shot
We tested on the 35ft Boardwalk pattern. Out of box, the Chaos Black was very difficult to control on this pattern. For me, this was absolute threading the needle. Had to throw it perfect. Miss in even just a touch and it doesn’t hold. It’s too clean to play direct as it just skids for days, even on the 35ft pattern. I like the shape overall but will make more sense on broken down longer patterns.
For James, his added axis tilt gave him a touch more room than I had and so it didn’t look bad at all. Misses in still have no chance to hold. It’s still not the right shape for this short flat pattern. But we still get a clear understanding of the ball motion.
Bryan’s look split the difference between myself and James. Not terrible but not ideal. The ball is generally on the stronger side but is again a bit flippy downlane. You want more control on sport so maybe some surface would allow you to take advantage of the downlane motion while giving it more control.

Final Thoughts
The Columbia 300 Chaos Black is a beautiful piece that is long and angular. Combining strong low RG cores to clean but strong covers tend to lead to strong motion off the end of the pattern. If you like that angular motion and have the hand to get in a bit, this could be killer. Also if your game allows you to play closer to the friction, you will also be rewarded with strong motion through the pins. Tweeners will need a bit of surface to slow it down or wait until the pattern is broken down a bit to effectively utilize.