Bowler Ratings

PatternStTwCr
Oily:8.58.58.5
Medium:665
Dry:333
Sport:666

Bowler ratings are from 1 to 10 in order of Stroker (ST), Tweener (TW), Cranker (CR)

General Info

Brand:
Name:Black Mamba
Reviewed:April 2012
Empty
Coverstock Specs
Name:F74
Type:Reactive Solid
Box Finish:nEat
Color:Purple / Yellow
Empty
Core Specs
Name:NA
Type:Symmetrical
RG:2.542
Diff:0.055
Int. Diff:0.000

For details on our standard test layouts, please click here.

The Black Mamba is the newest high performance release from AMF. They used the core from the OMG! Pearl with slight modifications. By using this core with a super aggressive coverstock in the form of their F74 formula, the ball offers a lot of traction without using everything in the first 20 feet of the lane. This core and cover combination makes the Black Mamba a no brainer for oilier lane conditions.

The box finish limited us to our heavy oil test pattern. Each tester was right in their comfort zone on this pattern. Cranker was able to throw some pins around on the fresh. As the oil carried down he needed to square up some in order to keep the same hitting power. Both Tweener and Stroker were able to stay in the same part of the lane even during transition. We never altered the surface of any of the test balls on this pattern.

The medium pattern forced each tester a good five to six boards deeper than they were playing on the oily pattern. The box finish was simply too much for both this and the dry pattern. We smoothed out the finish for the medium pattern with the neaT pad on all three tester’s balls. This adjustment got the Black Mamba to clear the front of the lane and go through the pins at a much better angle.

Moving to the dry test pattern, we applied polish to all the test balls after Stroker’s first shot barely clipped the headpin on the left. Even with the polished finish, the aggressiveness of the cover was too much to control on this short oil pattern.

All three testers preferred the Black Mamba at the box finish on our sport pattern and used the strength of the Mamba’s coverstock to overpower this condition. Stroker was able to stay right and get it out of what usually is OB. Tweener and Cranker were further inside and had recovery on shots missed a few boards right.

Performance Ratings

NameValueComments
Torque5.5
The move off the hook spot is very smooth for the Black Mamba. The rough box finish uses energy evenly through the entire lane.
Length11
We thought this number would be lower from looking at the finish of this ball. The high RG prevents the ball from expending its energy too quickly.
Back End15
The back end is low on this release. The early traction created in the heads equates to less boards covered at the back.
Total Hook51
The Black Mamba follows in the footsteps of the OMG! The solid sanded coverstock gives this ball the ability to make a footprint in the oil.

Strengths

The Black Mamba will handle large amounts of oil and provide an arc shape hook at the back end. Heavy handed players will have an option for the heavy oil. They can keep throwing this ball without getting too angular as the lanes dry out.

Weaknesses

Hook in the front of the lane will spell disaster for the Black Mamba. The ball has enough overall hook built in that it does not need it from the lane.

Overall Summary

The Black Mamba combines the core from the OMG! Pearl with a solid sanded cover. The result is a smooth reaction throughout the entire lane.

The BTM Ball Testing Team

About The BTM Ball Testing Team

The BTM Ball Testing Team is led by Eric Martinez. Our team of three testers has thrown and reviewed hundreds of bowling balls for Bowling This Month. When not testing balls for BTM, Eric owns and operates University Pro Shop in San Antonio, TX and he is an avid competitive bowler. Click here to learn more about how we test and review bowling balls.