The Latest Impact on Bowling…

First Impressions
The Ebonite Impact just seems to work. It looks like it’s going to be pretty usable. Unassuming but a pretty good piece.

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 Ebonite Impact 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: PBA Don Johnson: 40ft, 26.6 ml, 2.66:1 ratio

Value
B+
Usable shiny hybrid Asym is expected to be pretty versatile.

Specs
The Ebonite Impact uses the CB-2 asymmetrical core inside the GSV-1 Hybrid coverstock.
15 pound = RG of 2.48, diff of .049, mb of .017
14 pound = RG of 2.48, diff of .052, mb of .017
Coverstock finish: 500/1000/Powerhouse Factory Polish

Overall
THS: B+
Sport: B+
The flagship Ebonite marque is generally not the flashiest in the EBI family. I just have to say that the Impact really feels like one that will be very usable for many bowlers. It seems to place itself straight in the middle so bowlers can go up and down. Let me explain. The Impact uses the same cover as on the Choice. However, last step is polish rather than 2000 abralon. So as opposed to the Choice which shows off how strong the cover is, this one allows the core to show off a bit more. Then the core, this is the CB-2 Asym from the Pivot line. I’ve always liked this core shape and reusing here makes sense. So it’s a shiny hybrid asym. This just didn’t feel like a very lumbering ball, despite having a low RG. It feels more agile and while not flippy, capable of good backend. I had a lot of release variation and testing different lines and was able to get to the pocket with good carry generally speaking. You can tell it’s strong but a bit more nimble. You can blow it through the breakpoint because it is shiny after all. But the low RG makes it more predictable. In this case, the Impact was more forgiving on misses in. If you have more or less friction on your lane surface, it might look different for you.
James our higher rev tester saw a pretty similar reaction. Very predictable motion. One where you feel like you can give it room as it’s capable of turning but you don’t need to swing it massively. As with me, he has to be careful with outside misses as it goes long and really doesn’t make it back. Inside is just a better miss place for this piece. There is still something about this piece that isn’t flashy but feels like it would be very usable. It also fools you into thinking it’s not super strong but even in the puddle, it held and struck with good backend motion.
For Bryan, the Ebonite Impact looked good. He got that easy length that’s typical of polished covers but had strong motion downlane. Honestly, it looked like it had strong pop for Bryan. This is the kind of ball that he could actually get out to the friction and it didn’t just die. It actually bounced off of it nicely. Interestingly, Bryan’s miss room was out rather than in. Because he is more direct, the ball wouldn’t hold with misses in but getting it to the friction would allow it to still drive.

Sport Shot
We’re testing on the 40ft Don Johnson Pattern. For me, it offered a pretty good look. The ball has really nice shape that I could easily get used to throwing. I will say that to throw on sport, especially fresh, you’ll need to knock the shine off as a small miss could do this. For James, he saw the same thing. Ball gets downlane easily but has good backend that is accentuated on this type of pattern. The Impact really drove hard. Bryan also had a good look with the Impact. Even though it is polished, he didn’t have much trouble getting to the pocket.

Final Thoughts
The Ebonite Impact is interesting in that somehow, it’s not flashy and while we had several different balls in our test session that tried to take the spot light, The Impact really left a mark on me ultimately. This core is one that I believe matches up to many bowlers. Pretty simple light bulb-like shape with a low RG and asymmetry. The cover may be a little clean but it felt like it was always in play. Depending on the scenario, the ball does look like it would be usable on medium to medium heavy condition but additionally, with shine off, it would likely be a great option on sport conditions as well.