Motiv Iron Forge Bowling Ball Features:
The Iron Forge is, without a doubt, the strongest pearl symmetric Motiv has made to date and we are proud to release it to you this November. The latest addition to the popular Forge line, the Iron Forge has the same Detonator core as previous Forges, but with the proven Infusion MVP pearl seen on the Ripcord Velocity. The combination creates angle on medium-heavy oil conditions.
Core
Inside the Iron Forge is the Detonator core. This low rg / high differential core is the same absolute beast of a core used in the ultra strong Forge Flare. The low rg and high differential core is stable, with a wide footprint on the lane; this combination equals more total hook, but also more mid-lane traction and control than other symmetrical core options. This uniquely strong symmetrical core is what allows us to use such a clean and angular coverstock in moderately heavy oil patterns.
Cover
Around the Iron Forge is the Infusion MVP coverstock, the fastest response and most angular cover ever made by Motiv. This cover has only previously been used on the Ripcord Velocity, which is widely accepted as the most angular ball ever made by Motiv. Using this cover with such a strong core allows bowlers to see that proven angle on higher volumes of oil or earlier in their progression than they are able to use the Ripcord Velocity.
Speed Dominant Bowlers
The incredibly strong core in the Iron Forge allows for speed dominant players to use a pearlized coverstock when that may have been difficult in the past. Many speed dominant players are forced to use solids and hybrids rather than pearls simply because a clean cover combined with a clean core oftens skids too far for their game. The Iron Forge allows these players to have an angular option in their bag when no other symmetrics would be strong enough.
Balanced Bowlers
The uniqueness of the Iron Forge for balanced bowlers is that the strong cover / angular core combination allows them to keep up with rev-dominant bowlers through transition. When rev-dominant bowlers see transition, one of their great advantages is being able to create angle and follow transition into the pattern earlier than the rest of the field. A high flare, fast spinning core paired with a sideways cover lets balanced bowlers stay ahead of transition without sacrificing carry or fearing that their ball will miss the breakpoint.
Rev Dominant Bowlers
For rev dominant bowlers, this is a strong pearl cover that will allow for seeing length and control on higher friction surfaces even from the beginning of a block. The Iron Forge is strong enough that many rev dominant bowlers will have the luxury of using a pearl coverstock on fresh oil, which is incredibly rare.
D.J. –
The Iron Forge is a strong addition to the forge line. As someone who was a big fan of the Forge Fire and Forge Flare, the Iron Forge has added to my love of the line. The Iron Forge creates a strong down-lane motion and gives me more overall hook than the Ripcord Velocity which is a go-to for league. The Iron forge will be great for medium-longer patterns and those patterns with a bit more volume. If you’re looking for a strong down lane ball with a little extra hook, the Iron Forge is the ball for you!
Anthony M Evans –
The Iron Forge is a piece that I have waited for, for a very long time. Two of my favorite pieces I have ever thrown are the Forge Fire and Forge Flare and to finally have a true pearl that utilizes the same crazy strong Detonator core, is amazing. The Iron Forge creates a unique shape that is best described as, a stronger overall, Fatal Venom. It provides the control that the Fatal provides, but the bigger core and newer Infusion MVP Pearl cover give it more traction in the oil and a larger overall shape on the lane. The Iron Forge for me covers about 2-3 boards more than the Ripcord Velocity, but with a much more controlled shape off of friction, and covers about 8-10 boards more overall than the Fatal Venom. This is easily in my top 5 for releases this year and I cannot wait to see what else MOTIV does with this amazing Infusion MVP Pearl cover.
Layout: 50×5.5×20
MOTIV Staffer
Erick W Lownsberry (verified owner) –
Layout: 45 X 41/2 X 45 (pin is in the ringfinger)
Stroker (if I had to pick a style)
I am not a staffer but have been throwing Motiv exclusively since 2014
Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF)
When started in the oil this ball is smooth, overall the ball is clean and strong a happy combination. Friction in this particular house starts around the 7 board, but it is a low volume shot but does have volume in the middle. If I missed inside (just a little) the ball was through the nose (thus the two big 4s) but if I missed way inside, run away Brooklyn with messengers flying everywhere. The shot in this house saw the ball revving up smoothly and then when it hit the friction a controlled turn with acceleration to the pocket going off the deck close to the 8 pin (I left three 9 pins in game 3). Of note there were at least three shots where I missed way outside (out to the 3 to 1 board area), however, the Iron Forge still made it back to the pocket and carried all three. This ball is smooth, continuous, and strong there are no violent turns.
After watching all the Motiv staffers throw this ball on YouTube and some independent reviews my expectations for the ball based on my style of bowling was that it would be a strong “track” ball for me that would allow me to miss right. What actually happened after I got it in my hands, was a beast that on low volume pushed me to the left and let me swing the lane, my hope is that on higher volume it will allow me to play straighter, similar to WRWJ and Norm Duke, with the controlled turn and acceleration off the end of the pattern. I have another league today, looking forward to seeing more of this ball.
The story of the night:
I don’t have a local PSO that I can trust (there is only one in town) to do any ball work near me so on a whim I purchased the Motiv Iron Forge from BowlerX and trusted the BowlerX Pro Shop to punch the ball for me (you guys did an awesome job you will get more of my business); sent them my specs and the layout I wanted. Ball was sitting on my porch last night by 4:30 pm, so a fast turnaround (7 days from release to on the lanes). Threw the ball in my truck and grab my ball work tool box and headed for league. During practice I got to throw the ball four (4) times (had to open the thumb a little, my thumb has an odd shape). I did not pay attention to ball reaction during warm-up as I was focused on coming out of it.
Bowling on a low volume THS, the guy with the highest average in the league (24X) is using the Motiv Thrill (Strawberry Lemonade) and he is a power bowler. My typical ball for league is ironically the Thrill (Strawberry Lemonade); this is where I take credit for his ball choice, the Thrill was recommended to him after the guy who drilled his ball (not a PSO) saw what mine does even copied my layout. I recently switched to the Top Thrill, however, it was overpowering the shot so I got back into the Thrill.
Getting ready for the Military Championship in Las Vegas in January (41 foot 25.33 mL) and have been putting together my tournament bag which has the Pride, VIP, and (undecided) in it right now (only taking 3) but after seeing that South Point is a high friction center the Iron Forge seemed like it needed to be added; at least that is what I used as a justification to buy another bowling ball.
Standing left foot on 30, I’m right handed, sliding around 20 targeting 8 at the arrows out to 4. First frame game one big four, I missed inside by about 3 boards. In the third frame of the first game I made a move 5 and 2 left clean until the first ball in the 10th another big four where the 7 fell late 210. Second game spare 10 bagger 288, third game transition and I was behind it till the 5th frame spare city, moved two right with my feet only, off the sheet 247.
When started in the oil this ball is smooth, overall the ball is clean and strong a happy combination. Friction in this particular house starts around the 7 board, but it is a low volume shot but does have volume in the middle. If I missed inside (just a little) the ball was through the nose (thus the two big 4s) but if I missed way inside, run away Brooklyn with messengers flying everywhere. The shot in this house saw the ball revving up smoothly and then when it hit the friction a controlled turn with acceleration to the pocket going off the deck close to the 8 pin (I left three 9 pins in game 3). Of note there were at least three shots where I missed way outside (out to the 3 to 1 board area), however, the Iron Forge still made it back to the pocket and carried all three. This ball is smooth, continuous, and strong there are no violent turns.
K. Matthew Byrd (Motiv Staffer) –
Hand: Right-Handed
Ball Weight: 15 lbs.
Rev Rate: 500 RPM
Ball Speed: 18 Mph
Tilt: 10
Rotation: 45
PAP: 5.125” over and .125” up
Layout: 65 x 5.5 x 35 (Dual Angle)
The Iron Forge is the biggest pearl I have in my bag. This ball does not need to see a ton of friction to hook down lane. It glides very easy down the lane and hooks a ton. This ball is a strong complement to my Rip Cord Velocity. When the Rip Cord Velocity goes to long, I can stay in the same spot and know without doubt that the ball the Iron Forge will pick up and turn the corner.
Mark Wilson –
The Iron Forge is the strongest symmetric pearl Motiv has ever made. This is the newest addition to the Forge line. The Iron Forge has the Detonator core. The same core as previous Forges. The Iron Forge has the Infusion MVP pearl also used on the Ripcord Velocity. The combination of the two creates amazing angle on medium-heavy oil conditions. This ball will be great when your Jackals are a little to much.
Jason Lettau –
I am absolutely blown away by the overall shape this ball has. I drilled it weaker than normal (60×5.5×30) and it is extremely clean through the front part of the lane and just absolutely roars back off the friction with a real consistent shape! The Iron Forge has become a staple in my bag for later in the day when the heads start to burn up in league. This is the Pearl Forge that everyone waited for, and we got exactly what we were asking for! Oh, and the colors are SICK!
Jason L.
MOTIV Staff
Larry D. Clark (verified owner) –
ON August 12, 2022 I shot a 290,288,225 for an 803 series. This ball is amazing with a superb ball motion from front to back. It has a strong mid lane read, with a strong angular move off the dry. I don’t know what it is about silver balls with me, It’s now my new silver bullet. They call me the Equalizer, I’m bowling out of Jackson Mississippi from Metro 24 Lanes. The Motiv Iron Forge is one of my go to balls now.