Radical Revenge Solid: The Weak Ball That Doesn't Feel Weak
You're on a fresh house shot with moderate oil, and you need something that won't overreact on the backend but won't pussy out through the pins either. Most solid-coverstock balls with factory compound finish feel sluggish or too reactive depending on where you miss. The Revenge Solid does neither—it reads the lane smoothly and still carries.
Performance
The Revenge Solid surprised every reviewer with how well its weak, low-differential core (RG 2.544, differential 0.036) plays out of the box. The HK22 Solid coverstock with factory compound finish delivers a clean, smooth motion through the fronts without overreacting on friction, producing what one reviewer called "blended" and "continuous" action that carries from multiple angles. On fresh oil, it's longer and more manageable than expected for a ball with its core; on lower-volume patterns, it reads the lane cleanly and maintains control through the pins. The one point of disagreement: one reviewer found it "surprisingly strong for a lower end ball" on fresh oil and considered adding surface prep, while others called it ideally suited out of the box to fresh house shots.
Pros
- Clean, smooth through the fronts despite the weak core—no unexpected over-reactions on oil
- Wide strike zone from multiple angles, especially on house shots
- Performs very well right out of the box without break-in period
- Factory compound finish strikes a balance: not allergic to oil, doesn't hockey-stick off friction
- Moderately priced with genuine mid-tier performance
Cons
- May perform better on lanes with more friction or lower oil volumes; less ideal on heavily oiled patterns
- Low differential means less aggressive backend motion—not for bowlers seeking sharp hooks
- Factory compound finish limits fine-tuning options if you want to tweak surface reaction
Who Should Buy This
- House shot bowlers looking for a straight-playing utility ball that doesn't require multiple surface adjustments
- Lower-rev players or seniors who want reliable carry without excessive hook
- Tournament bowlers on a budget who need a dependable secondary or primary strike ball for medium to medium-dry conditions
- Anyone stepping up from entry-level balls who wants better pin action than entry-level stuff but simpler geometry than high-performance gear
Who Should Skip This
- High-rev players looking for aggressive downlane motion or maximum backend energy
- Bowlers on heavily oiled sport shots who need a stronger cover to cut through volume
- Anyone unwilling to own a solid-finish ball or uncomfortable with factory compound
Buying Tips
Drill this with versatile layouts if you plan to move around the approach; one reviewer used a short-pin control layout for lower-rev play. Out-of-box performance is strong, so don't feel pressured to alter the surface immediately—use it fresh first on a house shot to establish a baseline, then decide if grit is worth adding.
Verdict
The Revenge Solid is a legitimately good weak ball that performs well on the lanes most bowlers actually bowl on. If you hate most solid-finish balls or need a no-fuss strike option for house and lower-volume patterns, this one earns the recommendation.
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Specs
| Weight | RG | Differential | Mass Bias |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 lb | 2.549 | 0.031 | -- |
| 15 lb | 2.544 | 0.036 | -- |
| 14 lb | 2.561 | 0.036 | -- |
| 13 lb | 2.574 | 0.04 | -- |
| 12 lb | 2.597 | 0.04 | -- |
FAQ
How does the Revenge Solid compare to the Revenge Pearl?
The Pearl is significantly longer and more angular down the lane, while the Solid reads earlier and with more continuous motion. Both are designed for medium to medium-dry conditions, but the Solid is the safer choice if you want the ball to hit the pocket from straighter angles on house shots.
One reviewer mentioned it was surprisingly strong on fresh oil—should I add surface prep right away?
Not necessarily. Most reviewers found it handled fresh oil well out of the box without prep. If you're concerned about length, throw it fresh first—you can always add grit later if needed, but you can't undo surface work.
Is this a good ball for a lower-rev player?
Yes. Multiple reviewers noted it works well for lower-rev bowlers and seniors without requiring aggressive layouts. The low differential and weak core make it forgiving on approach, and it still carries pins from off-pocket hits.
What lane conditions is this ball best suited for?
Fresh house shots and lower-volume patterns (doubles, singles). On heavily oiled sport shots or high-volume patterns, you may want a stronger coverstock. It's at home on medium to medium-dry oil.
Does this ball need a break-in period?
No. Multiple reviewers bowled with it fresh out of the box with no warm-up shots and struck consistently, indicating the coverstock and core are ready to work immediately.
How does it roll compared to other weak-core solid balls like the Danger Zone Solid?
One high-rev reviewer called the Revenge Solid superior to the Danger Zone Solid—smoother action off friction, less aggressive hook shape, and better performance on oil despite the factory compound finish.