Customer Reviews | 5 Customer Questions
By Jai from Baltimore MD
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Radical Recovery
Ball Review for Radical Katana
Layout 80x 3-3/4x25 p3
Bowler stats
6 5/16....+9/16 Pap
16mph speed
350 rev rate
55 degrees axis rotation
3 degrees tilt
The Katana is an Asymmetric Pearl surfaced at 500, 1000 and compound. However don't let the shelf appeal fool you. This ball is ALL ABOUT PERFORMANCE. And it's soooo pretty.
Once again, Mo Pinel gave me this layout to combat the violent backend that plagues bowlers that are rev dominant with low tilt. And the layout works, somewhat, but this ball flat out HOOKS! If there is friction down lane, all you have to do is get it there and the core takes over.
Don't let the shineyness fool you. This ball can handle oil, with the correct layout/surface prep, but have two purposes for this ball.
Benchmark (strong) and when the right sidebis fried and I want to play 5th arrow or beyond. It has plenty of recovery without losing carry...and from that deep will STILL leave the occasional 9 or 10 pin. ?? When my Intel drilled the exact same way starts leaving flat 10's, I can go to this ball with confidence and know that it will get the 10 out.
I've seen some guys circle the entire lane with this ball, and with the correct layout and surface prep, it is very feasable. But for regular useage you may want a more tame layout and retain the box surface. Make no mistake, it will still hook A LOT, but you will be able to manage the backend reaction. I am big on changing hand positions and this ball does not dissappoint.
My layout allows the ball to be long and strong and the hit is phenomenal. EVERYTIME I throw it, I am asked about it, because of the performance, and it is sooooo pretty. Lol
For those of you that are familiar with Radical equipment, it reminds me of a rollier V2 Pearl or a "not AS ridiculous", Ridiculous Pearl. (That ball still scares me)
Everyone needs this ball in their life!
I am Jai Jones and I approve this message.
#teamRADICAL
#KATANAisTHEBEEZKNEES
#Bowlersdiscountproshops
By cng260 from Greenville, SC
Pros:
backend recovery, predictability
Best Uses:
League patterns, Tournament concitions where length is necessary
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Sharp Backend like the Sword!
BALL SPECS
Pin Length: 4"
Starting Top Weight: 3.2 oz
Ball Weight: 15 lbs 4 oz
DRILL PATTERN
Ball: 65 x 5 x 35
X Hole (if there is one): none
BOWLER STYLE
Rev Rate: 375 rpms
Ball Speed:17.5 mph off hand
PAP/Track: 4 3/4 over 3/4 up
SURFACE PREP
Grit: 500 Grit with Rough Buff
Type: (Matte, Polish, Sanded): Compound
LANE CONDITIONS
Lengths of patterns: 41 foot house shot
Volumes: moderate
Type: house
BALL REACTION
Length: Clean through the heads with a very angular reaction
Back End: skid/snap
Overall Hook: Strong
Midlane Read: Very little
Breakpoint Shape: Skid/Snap
COMMENTS
Likes: Super strong with great entry angle
Dislikes: none
The Katana is a long and strong skid snap ball for those looking for more backend reaction. This ball is super clean through the front part of the lane with a quick revving core. Once this ball stands up at the breakpoint look out! I think this could be a game changer for the rev challenged looking for more entry angle. The Katana is several feet longer and considerably more angular than the True Nirvana it replaces in my bag. The main difference seems to be the new cleaner cover that was used on the Katana. In spite of the quicker revving core the cleanliness of the overstock allows the ball to maintain its axis rotation longer. I can roll this one more off my hand and not have to worry about the flat ten reaction on the backend. This thing really scatters the pins and also takes surface adjustments well. The Katana can be used anytime there is friction present. There are better choices for fresher slicker patterns like the Kingpin or the More Cash. If your looking for greater entry angle and excellent recovery check out the Katana.
By CH from SC
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Sideways!!!!
The Radical Katana is an angular monster. The combination of a very clean cover with one of Mo's amazing cores produces some of the most impressive down lane motion I have ever seen. This ball is very versatile for an angular ball and allows me to carry from a wide range of angles. It is just as good hooking back from the gutter as it is playing in the puddle in the middle of the lane. Like most angular balls, there needs to be some friction down lane for this ball to be at its best.
By KRB61 from Alex, VA
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Radical update
Hello fellow bowlers. As you can read in my other reviews, I love this ball. Today, I rolled a 222 , a 298 , and a 172. This ball is a beast. Do yourself a favor, buy 1-2 or even 3 of these pin killers
By KRB61 from Alex , VA
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Radical Katana
Got this awesome ball for Christmas. My style is full roller and I roll med speed with low to med revs. I shot back to back 180 games with this great ball right out of the box. I have a 155 avg in summer league and avg around 170 on a THS during practice. My high games are 277 , 257 , and 245 ! The first and third high games were bowled with the Radical Ridiculous Asem and the Guru ! I have no doubt I will be in the 200s with this ball as well. If you are a league player or just love to bowl, you will want this ball in your bag.
By Cng260 from Greenville, SC
Pros:
big backend reaction, big hittng power, large angle of entry
Best Uses:
opening the lane
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Backend sharper than a sword!
BALL SPECS
Pin Length: 4"
Starting Top Weight: 3.2 oz
Ball Weight: 15 lbs 4 oz
DRILL PATTERN
Ball: 65 x 5 x 35
X Hole (if there is one): none
BOWLER STYLE
Rev Rate: 375 rpms
Ball Speed:17.5 mph off hand
PAP/Track: 4 3/4 over 3/4 up
SURFACE PREP
Grit: 500 Grit with Rough Buff
Type: (Matte, Polish, Sanded): Compound
LANE CONDITIONS
Lengths of patterns: 41 foot house shot
Volumes: moderate
Type: house
BALL REACTION
Length: Clean through the heads with a very angular reaction
Back End: skid/snap
Overall Hook: Strong
Midlane Read: Very little
Breakpoint Shape: Skid/Snap
COMMENTS
Likes: Super strong with great entry angle
Dislikes: none
The Katana is a long and strong skid snap ball for those looking for more backend reaction. This ball is super clean through the front part of the lane with a quick revving core. Once this ball stands up at the breakpoint look out! I think this could be a game changer for the rev challenged looking for more entry angle. The Katana is several feet longer and considerably more angular than the True Nirvana it replaces in my bag. The main difference seems to be the new cleaner cover that was used on the Katana. In spite of the quicker revving core the cleanliness of the overstock allows the ball to maintain its axis rotation longer. I can roll this one more off my hand and not have to worry about the flat ten reaction on the backend. This thing really scatters the pins and also takes surface adjustments well. The Katana can be used anytime there is friction present. There are better choices for fresher slicker patterns like the Kingpin or the More Cash. If your looking for greater entry angle and excellent recovery check out the Katana.
By KRB61 from Alex , VA
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Deck destroyer
Style - Full Roller - speed-med , revs low. This is another fantastic Radical ball. I have a summer league avg of 145 to 155. My first two games today were back to back 180 games. This ball is designing for heavy oil and the THS the 180's were bowled on were far from heavy. They were torched from league bowlers using them prior to my getting on them and they were light oil at best. My 3 game avg today was 169. This ball exploded the deck when I hit the good ole 1-3 and even on a few Brooklyn's as well. I have no doubt I will be racking up many 200 plus games with this RADICAL KATANA.
By JWEISS from Staten Island NY
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Katana
Where to start with this piece, I can go on for days talking about how much I love this ball. I am a typical house bowler, and when I have time I like to bowl in regionals or local tournament. The reason I'm bring this up is because I'm like most bowlers, and when looking to purchase a new ball I like to know it is going to do what I want it to which is strike when it hits the pocket. There are a lot of good balls on the market today, but I can tell you for sure the Katana is better then all of them. You might ask how can I say that, well like most bowlers when you have confidence in a ball that when it hits the pocket it will carry, it will free up your arm swing and allow you to just throw the ball freely without grab or thought behind it, which in turn will bring you more strikes. Normally when you are bowling on a house shot and you pull the ball inside of target you leave a corner pin, in the video I attached you can clearly see on my 2nd shot the ball is inside of target and it still carries. This is why I have all the confidence in the world when I pickup this ball and believe it to be the best on the market. For those who like to numbers my layout on the Katana is 60x4.25x70
I'm not sure what the R&D team at Radical did to create this ball but whatever it was it worked. This is the ball of the year and would make a great gift for the Holidays or even just to treat yourself.
#TeamBrunswick #TeamDV8 #TeamRadical #bowlwithbruns #dveightbowling #radicalbowling #dv8bowling #bowlwithbrunswick #sabasproshop #lovethelanes #brunswick #dv8 #radical #alwaysbowling #bowlinggofinsta #bowl4life #bowlingvids
Joey Weisnestein
#teambrunwick #bowlwithbruns
By Charles W from Grovetown, GA
Pros:
Great Benchmark Ball
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
The Weapon of Choice is the Katana
The Radical Katana is a outstanding benchmark ball that every bowler HAS to have in their arsenal. The ball is clean through the front and picks up a early midlane read and strong flip in the backend. Laid this one out to complement my Hitman when the Hitman becomes too angular, I can go to the Katana which rolls pretty close and slows down the motion in the backend. The Katana is a must to have in the bag.
By Matt from CT
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Great ball
This is the strongest pearl I have ever thrown. It glides easily through the heads and has the most movement on the back end of any ball I've seen.
By Lefty from Denver
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Like a Ninja
Katana
This new ball from Radical is spot on, at least for my game. I will admit the new
core wrapped in a brand new cover stock did take some adjusting as the look
belies its hook. At first glance it may look like just another pearl, good for when
conditions start to break down. However, this is not the case, it ends up having
the best of both worlds... length and pop! I was able to play between 3rd and 4th
arrow, throw it out and never worried about it getting back to the pocket! Watch in
the video where it leaves the deck, talk about drive !!
By Landon Yazell from Lexington, KY
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Beast!!!
This ball is insane! Even with its strong core and it's big flip motion I'm still able to control it! This is one of the most versatile balls I've owned with an asymmetrical core! Radical keeps impressing me with every release they come out with!
By Brian from Minnesota
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Katana!!
I have to admit the last Radical ball i had was the V2, so i was a little skeptical about this one but i thought i would give it a chance and OMG... by far my favorite ball in my arsenal!!! this is a must have, throw it right and watch it come back with ease.
