I was checking out the arsenal building thread and I don't have a pearl or a particle ball yet. Do I really need them? I was thinking about the Lane #1 G-Force Nebula, Columbia 300 Wrath Dead Flush or Momentum, Lane Masters The Buzz or World Class, and finally the Strom Gravity Shift or T-Road Pearl. I don't exactly know what the difference between the pearl, particle, and particle pearl coverstocks are. I'm going to research it now. Any help would be much aprreciated.

Particle pearls are the best of both worlds, particle to cut through the oil with pearl to store energy for the backend. Being as you don't have one yet you might want to go with either a strong reactive or a particle pearl to get your feet wet. It doesn't matter which one, they are all good, but the cheaper ones are more for dry lanes the more expensive ones are for more oil.

Lane Master has World Class Particle Pearl. Columbia Dead Flush is more for light oil its way to skiddy on heavy oil.

with my experience i love my gravity and the fury pearl are both great balls to have in your arsenal. t-road solid is an awesome ball.

Here are some of the main differences between the three types of balls you listed, keep in mine there are a few others as well.

Pearl-normally more skid/flip type of ball, good for getting through burnt up heads, but can be a bit hard to get the desired reaction on certain conditions, EX: extremely dry or oily lanes or carrydown. Most of their reaction is a violent change off the dry.

Particle-normally more of an arcing ball, usually for medium oil lanes and up. Not too jumpy at the breakpoint even when it hits the dry. Very grippy balls, gets traction in the oil. They are called particle because there are little particles put in the coverstock that gives them traction.

Particle Pearl-combines both worlds. They are great for a burnt heads but a medium to medium heavy condition in the midlane. Usually blends wet/dry conditions with a consistent reaction.

Other types of covers are solid, solid/pearl hybrids, polished solid, and of course urethane and plastic.

Plastic-normally spare balls, goes straighter but can hook and be used on dry lanes for a strike ball.

Solid-an alternative to particles, characterized by being extremely dull most of the time. Can be polished and sanded easily to change reaction. Probably the easiest coverstock to adjust(just my personal opinion.

Solid/pearl hybrid- similar to the particle pearl just no particles.

Urethane-normally part of entry level lines, great for dry lanes and a step up from plastic usually with the same core as a plastic. Gradual predictable arc is their game. Might not be a huge hook but it works on the right conditions. Lane 1 has a urethane that uses one of its strong cores and a aggressive version of urethane. I have one and once I get my grip straightened out on it will probably be my main ball.

Polished solid- a solid that is just polished up to tame the reaction and give it some length. Using smoother grits to sand is the new way of doing this without polish, such as the 4000 grit abralon.

Thanks guys. I forgot to mention that I have Roto-Grip Cell for heavy oil, Black Widow Solid as my benchmark, and a Scout Reactive as my dry lane and spare ball. And you guys answered my other question. I was going to ask if I could kill two birds with one stone and just get a pearl particle ball.

I would get one, but then also look for something to go between it and the Scout, either a mild pearl like a Jolt or polished solid such as the Columbia Jazz.

I love my Roto-Grip Mystic, a particle pearl. Its one of my favorite balls and a good investment. Particle pearls are worth a look if you don't have one.

Roto-Grip also has illusion what i seen of it look pretty good. It Reactive Pearl though. Was thinking of picking up Reactive Pearl or Particle Pearl my self. More in line of agressive pearl ball.

Thanks for the suggestions. I am kind of leaning more towards the Roto-Grip Mystic myself. If you guys have any other suggestions it would help to have options when it comes to decision time.