Black Widow Mania

Black Widow Pink on steroids. The Black Widow Mania is clean through the front part of the lane and strong down lane. The HK22 with Cohesion pearl cover stock matches up great with the Gas Mask core. Early entry for ball of the year. The cobalt & black accented with the pink logo pass the eye test for sure.

Recently, I had a chance to drill up the new Hammer Widow Mania, the latest in the iconic line of Hammer Widow bowling balls. Like all prior Widows, the Widow Mania has the Gas Mask Core. This Widow however, has the same coverstock as the Hammer Effect, HK-22 cohesion pearl colored in black and blue swirl. Box finish is 1500 Siaair with polish. The first one is drilled with my favorite pin down layout, 60 x 5 x 70. I've tried it on fresh THS.

Being very honest, for as many people that loved the Effect, I never warmed up to it after trying it in different environments. I found it to be a touch too early going up the lane and not enough going around the pattern. I felt that I had better motion with the Widow 3.0 or the Track Theorem. The new Widow Mania will definitely be more usable for me. It's definitely cleaner than a Widow 3.0 and more response than the Widow 2.0 Hybrid. (And that is comparing a pin down Mania to a pin up Widow 2.0 Hybrid which I had previously drilled.) It shows that motion for which Widows are well known. To my eye, it is a touch earlier and rounder than a Theorem. I also will say this, I don't necessarily see this ball as a replacement for the Widow 3.0 but rather to complement it. The Widow 3.0 was definitely for higher volumes of oil and I think where the Widow Mania is cleaner and quicker, at box surface, the Widow Mania is best for medium volumes or also as a step down from a Widow 3.0 or perhaps another slower response asymmetric core ball. Like all Widows, I expect the Mania to work for many different styles and will potentially be in play on many different pattern distances depending on layout etc.

The Hammer Widow Mania is now readily available! See your pro shop for more information!

Got back into bowling and decided it was time to move back to an all brand that used years ago Hammer. I am a left lefty and and it’s a challenge to find the right balls to work for me. So back to Hammer I have gone. I have The Hammer Effect, NU Blue and the Widow 3.0. Walked in my pro shop to talked to a friend about adding another ball to my bag to be well rounded for all conditions and he suggested the Black Widow Mania and to drill it pin down. Pull it out last night and shot a 712 scratch. Smooth control with a great backend. Let see about breaking into 800 now.

The Black Widow Mania is going to be a HOT seller in the bowling world for 2025!! I find it to be very easy to get through the front and very responsive in the back. So much versatility and control. The color of this new piece catches the eye immediately. Best used on medium to heavy oil patterns. Don't sleep on this gem!!

I love this ball. It’s cleaner than the Black Widow 3.0, but more bite on the back. The HK22 - Cohesion Pearl cover gives this ball more back-end motion than the Black Widow 2.0 Hybrid. I have used it on both house and sport patterns, and it looks great on both. This ball works best in heavy to medium oil.