I have 2 of the 3 you mentioned, Dynamic Power and the Black Diamond. Both are really reliable in the oil conditions I roll on. But, it is strange how they take to different patterns. I intentionally got the BD for one house. I needed length and a strong backend from the outside. Had it drilled with a 5" pin to PAP, and I got just what I wanted. When others are moving all over to avoid carrydown when the lanes breakdown, the BD comes out. These balls just don't have any over/under.

Last night, I saw a Kegel 'Dead Man's Curve' pattern for the first time. 43' of heavy viscosity oil. The DP ate it up. I didn't have the trouble others had keeping the ball on Track. There was no sliding, and traction was excellent. People called it similar to the Shark, which the DP loves too.

Still can't find anything better than my BigRBang on a THS. This ball is pretty too, in orange and gold. Going on year 3 with it and it looks like it just came out of the box. The harder surfaces and solid cover don't show wear. Unlike my Virtual Gravity, which has 1/10th the games, but is scarred pretty badly.

I have 3 new teammates of 5 on Wed night. We now have 2 BD's and 2 DP's in the ball rack for games. Don't know if we can convert the lone Hammer guy.

By the way, welcome to this site. Ran across you on BBR a few times.

Thanks for the welcome. I've been following your posts and others on BC.C for some time and appreciate your insights. One of my co-workers and bowling teammates has been rolling LM/L for several years. He rolls a Big Kahuna and, more recently, a Dynamic Power, both with excellent results. In one house, he was rolling along at a 215 clip for the first half of the year, picked up his DP, and finished the season at 226. He must have averaged 236 or so for the 2nd half. As a lefty, he could leak the DP left and it would recover from anywhere right of the zero board. In my case, I've had my best long-term success with a Conquerer, a Big Bang, a Buzz Attack, and most recently, a Black Diamond. With the success we've had with our LM/L equipment, we've seen several other LM/L pieces showing up in our friends/competitors hands. The DP and Buzz Attack stand out in that everyone that has picked up either or both of these have had excellent results and success. I think the Black Diamond will also be in this category as more of the BDs show up in league and tournament play. I saw a BigRBang on a closeout rack and wish I had picked it up. I love my Big Bang (particle) and the BigRBang seems like it would be an excellent compliment to it on dryer or shorter patterns. Other equipment that I'm impressed with: Virtual Gravity, Gravity Shift, Cell, Rogue Cell, and HyRoad.

I've used my Black Diamond sparingly, just getting used to what it does. I've practiced with it 3 times with a total of 12 games, and used it in league only twice for 2 games. I find I have to put more revs on the ball and pick additional speed.

The ball is becoming my favorite for a heavy oil league in the first game. I originally thought it would replace my Terminator which is 5 seasons old. But, I think it will replace my Virtual Gravity as my leadoff ball and be followed by my Terminator in late games.

The ball is super, but I have to keep the speed up or it will certainly hit high. I am able to move deeper inside with it without any worry, and cross any other's line without concern. This is going to be a love affair.

Picked up my Black Diamond 2 months ago, I haven't tapped more then once an any 1 game. I've gone whole weeks without leaving a single 7 pin if you can believe that!

My take on the black diamond:
- This is the strongest ball out for Medium Heavy/Flood conditions!

- This isn't the replacement for the Terminator, it's much stronger then the it. I believe the Xtreme Damage will fill that niche, however it will be even stronger off the dry.

By the way, it's nice to be back! My work hour will change in a week or so, so you'll be hearing alot more from me.

Current arsenal:
Terminator
Terminator Rebellion
Black Diamond
Track Spare Ball
Buzz Attack (In route)hopefully before Thursday!
Xtreme Damage (Soon as it's released)

The house I bowl at is converting to synthetic lanes this month, supposedly...thats another story.
I am thinking I may have to get a stronger ball than what I currently have. I am considering two balls..Lane Masters Black Diamond, or Hammers Jigsaw. I'll wait untill they are installed and see how the balls I currently have play on it, but those two balls have peaked my interest.

Tim, the Black Diamond will have a stronger back end then your Sting and get good length. The Jigsaws I have seen get an earlier read, but also turn.

In changing from wood to synthetic surfaces, the difference should be that you will see added length on synthetic. Your ball will not read as early, any of them.

All this discussion about Lane Masters equipment as drawn my attention to the Black Diamond to take some of the burden off my Storm VG. The VG has been a great ball, but it's showing quite a bit of wear and tear since I bought it last December. I agree about the VG having a softer cover which makes it vulnerable to scratches, nicks, gouges, and Track wear. I've had to resurface it quite a few times all ready.

Do you guys think that the BD would be a good ball for heavier house shots, PBA patterns and as a part time substitute for the VG? I have my VG drilled pin under ring finger with a weight hole on the PAP. I initially wanted this setup to tame the backend reaction a bit which worked out great for me.

VFF57, My Black Diamond only comes out when I have oil. I have it drilled with a 5" pin to PAP and it gets great length with a very strong snap. More then my Virtual Gravity on the same pattern. So, I will start with the VG, and when the oil breaks down, I will pull out the BD and move inside. It gets a better finishing angle. Carry down doesn't affect the BD as it does with the VG.

My Dynamic Power is drilled like your VG, and I like it for longer oil patterns. I would play inside over 15-18 with it with success. But, it is totally different in reaction to my BD. The DP is early read and controllable, vs the BD which gets length and snaps.

My VG is almost in the middle. I used it this afternoon on a fresh house shot and started with 12 of the first 16 strikes. But, put it away half way thru the second game.

Your drilling will affect how the ball reacts.

Dennis, how's the BD cover holding up so far? Is there any battle scars on it? I think you said somewhere the cover is harder and more durable than the VG....

As it is right now my VG will probably last another year tops do to sanding because of repeated Track wear, etc. At that point it will be a matter of deciding what decorative things can be done to it for sprucing up the outside of the house. If I get my first 300 with it I can retire it as my "first 300 trophy ball".



This was during practice or league? No mention of a 300 so I'm guessing 12 of the strikes were not in the same game?