Bowling tape: Brunswick vs Ebonite

[NewToBowling]

Since I ever started using black bowlers tape I had been using Brunswick for no reason then it was what was available.

Once I ran out tried to order some more and couldn't find any good deals.

Someone here had mentioned Ebonite tape saying it was thicker. I ordered a small pack and wow the difference is night and day.

Brunswick is like electrical tape. Ebonite is twice as thick and doesn't gum up. So when you remove one layer from thumb hole it comes off clean without much resistance or residue.

Can't believe the difference. You can say I'm converted.

[djp1080]

Yep! My PSO seldom carries Ebonite, but when I tried it I noticed the difference right away. I order my black tape on-line. Brunswick and Master black tape are very much like electrical tape you can buy at Home Depot or where ever. Ebonite's tape is much easier to work as you slide it into a thumb hole.
Glad you tried it. I wonder if there will be run on their tape. Maybe I should buy some stock in Ebonite... :)

[LyalC52]

I've found that both the white and black tapes from Ebi are better than Brunswick and Storm/Master

Like others have said, they are much easier to insert and remove

[NewToBowling]

I still have a stash of white Brunswick tape but don't use white as much so no restocking soon but purchased a 500 batch of black tape so should be good for a while :)

[NewToBowling]

Just an update: Although the Ebonite tape is a lot thicker and easier to remove it also does not stick as well, especially if I have white tape in the thumb hole as well. So I'm going to continue to use both brands as the Brunswick tape is stickier and doesn't peel off where I find myself seemingly always double checking to make sure the Ebonite tape is still there (there have been a few times the tape has flown off after rolling the ball down lane.

[bowl1820]

Just an update: Although the Ebonite tape is a lot thicker and easier to remove it also does not stick as well, especially if I have white tape in the thumb hole as well. So I'm going to continue to use both brands as the Brunswick tape is stickier and doesn't peel off where I find myself seemingly always double checking to make sure the Ebonite tape is still there (there have been a few times the tape has flown off after rolling the ball down lane.

What Ebonite tape are you referring as to not sticking well and flying off? in the hole or on your thumb?

I use Ebonite Powerhouse Premium white tape and I've never had a problem with it sticking.

[NewToBowling]

I use Ebonite 3/4" black smooth tape for thumb hole. They don't stick as well as Brunswick even though I do like the thickness

[Hawk]

I use Ebonite 3/4" black smooth tape for thumb hole. They don't stick as well as Brunswick even though I do like the thickness
Try the tiered tape method.

[bowl1820]

I use Ebonite 3/4" black smooth tape for thumb hole. They don't stick as well as Brunswick even though I do like the thickness

Okay which Ebonite tape is it? Ultra Grip or the Powerhouse Premium?

The Powerhouse Premium should be the better of the two.

[NewToBowling]

Try the tiered tape method.

I do. Even with only one in there semetimes it peels off. I help it by contouring the piece and seems to help a bit but I guess with the thickness and firmness of the tape it always wants to go flat.

[bowl1820]

Try the tiered tape method.


I do. Even with only one in there semetimes it peels off. I help it by contouring the piece and seems to help a bit but I guess with the thickness and firmness of the tape it always wants to go flat.


Tiered taping really wouldn't have a bearing on how well the tape "sticks" to the hole.

[NewToBowling]

I'm not bashing Ebonite tape. And the sticking issue seems to only occur on some of my balls (weird). I prefer it over the Brunswick but I still need Brunswick tape if the Ebonite tape isn't sticking.

[1VegasBowler]

Last week for the first time ever, I've started using tape.

However, I use tape on my fingers and it's the VISE NT50, as recommended by my PSO/Coach. I had to have all of the fingers and inserts redone, along with having to plug & redrill 2 balls for the thumb.

I went this route because, thanks to the dry Vegas weather, all 3 fingers were too dry and it has made for some ugliness and even a touch of bleeding.

Since then, the fingers are healing nicely and no bleeding. It only took me a week to get use to the new feel, but it was a great move.

My release feels so much better now, and it helped me hit a personal best of 280 last night.

[Hawk]

I'm not bashing Ebonite tape. And the sticking issue seems to only occur on some of my balls (weird). I prefer it over the Brunswick but I still need Brunswick tape if the Ebonite tape isn't sticking. When I change tape clean thumb/hole with 90% alcohol

[KYDave]

Since I'm at near max of the thumb slug size and my thumb just fits I don't use tape a whole lot. At times I may use 1 piece early on and really like the Turbo tape. I have both the grip strip and the slick strip. I also have a pack of the real bowlers tape. I like the texture of it but is often too thick for me to use.
Even cleaning the thumb hole I've had issues with the master and ebonite tape rolling up on the edges. Never an issue with the Turbo.

[djp1080]

Okay which Ebonite tape is it? Ultra Grip or the Powerhouse Premium?

The Powerhouse Premium should be the better of the two.

I've considered ordering some of the Powerhouse Premium tape, but the only thing holding me back is the issue of thickness.
Like I've said the Ebonite Ultra Grip tape is what I prefer as it's a bit thicker and keeps from folding back on itself when placing it in the thumbhole.
Is the Powerhouse Premium about the same thickness as the Ultra Grip? Or is it more like the Master or Brunswick tapes (i.e., like standard electrical tape)??
Thanks...

[bowl1820]

Is the Powerhouse Premium about the same thickness as the Ultra Grip? Or is it more like the Master or Brunswick tapes (i.e., like standard electrical tape)?? Thanks...

Ultra supposed to be "double thick" compared to standard thickness's.

Powerhouse is thicker than electrical tape, I haven't used any Ultra in a long time and not having a piece of ultra to compare it too I can't say.

[KYDave]

If you are looking for thickness I believe the real bowlers tape is worth a look. I've seen recently they now have the slick strips but I've never tried those yet. I think I picked up a 30 pack of the RBT for like $6 something.

[AlexNC]

The Powerhouse Premium is indeed thicker. It is also a different texture - almost like the texture of paint on drywall as opposed to a fabric/sports tape texture. I like both the ebonite and powerhouse tapes - just worth noting the difference.

[djp1080]

The Powerhouse Premium is indeed thicker. It is also a different texture - almost like the texture of paint on drywall as opposed to a fabric/sports tape texture. I like both the ebonite and powerhouse tapes - just worth noting the difference.

Alex, You understand that I'm asking about Powerhouse Premium black tape not the white, right? If the texture of their black tape is different (i.e., not smooth), they can keep it! :)

[AlexNC]

Alex, You understand that I'm asking about Powerhouse Premium black tape not the white, right? If the texture of their black tape is different (i.e., not smooth), they can keep it! :)

I've been reading this thread for the last few days, just had a brain fart ;)

When it comes to the black tape, as Bowl1820 posted it is indeed about twice the thickness. It also has an element of stiffness to it, which is fine unless you use more than a few pieces of it - they start to want to flatten out and not adhere to the thumbhole.

[bowl1820]

When it comes to the black tape, as Bowl1820 posted it is indeed about twice the thickness.

Note:
I haven't used Black tape in a long while. But It's the Ebonite Ultra that is supposed to be "Double Thick", I don't know how it compares to the P.H. tape though.

The P.H. tape is thicker than elec. tape, but whether it's as thick or thicker than Ultra I can't say.