Does anyone have any actual playing experience with the new OBUT Bi-Pôle Boules. From what I've seen the theory is that the stripes are cut at different depths and this is supposed to reduce shock, bounce, rebound etc. The boules are available with 2, 4 or 10 stripes on each side of the boule. If I follow their theory wouldn't more stripes reduce shock, bounce, rebound etc. and be better than less stripes?? Also,for a non-INOX boule they seem expensive. Any and all information is appreciated. merci d'avance.
F. William Baker

From http://www.boulistenaute.com/fp/bi-pole.pdf

the boule can have 2, 4, or 5 stripes.

A better boule for pointing and shooting and making plenty of carreaux is the new Italian boule "Unibloc'' which has elastics tied to springs inside the boule.

There are two versions of the boule, the one described above not being legal in competition!

I have not seen any of these boules - bi-poles or unibloc ... so...

Guy

Don't have any myself but know a couple of UK players who seem happy with them. There's a few reports, in French, on boulistenaute.com - basically, good performance boule but they wear out quickly.

Price is about average for top-of-the-range boules.

Regards,

Ray

Thanks to all for the information. I own boules from OBUT, JB, Intégrale, TON'R and MS. I would personally rate the MS boules at the top of my list. I'm currently playing with the MS 2110 and the CARA INOX. Choice of boule depending on surface conditions, hard/soft, wet/dry. The internal structure of the MS boules seems to make more sense to me in terms of shock absorption then the way the new OBUT Bi-Pôle is configured. I assume that the Bi-Pôle is in the neighbourhood of 115-120 Kg/mm in terms of hardness since a comment was made about wearing out fast? The US importer for OBUT didn't bring in any of these for sale this year and said they may in 2006. Again, thanks for your comments.
F. William Baker

Hi William,
Our first shipment of Bi-pôles is on the Atlantic Ocean, ETA Miami early next week. Once the shipment clears customs, they will be available online.
We will also have some handy for players to try them out at our Petanque America Open Tournament.
Obut does not state any hardness factor in kg/mm2 in their litterature.
Hope this helps,
Philippe
www.petanque-america.com

Interesting to see the pix - any comments on the boules themselves?

I've pondered how petanque.org could "objectively" assess how different boules perform but haven't come up with anything - any suggestions?

Personal comments can be useful but I would really like to see some way of giving a standard evaluation of how different boules compare.

Regards,

Ray

I have had a set of bi-pole for about 2 months and I'm very disappointed with the wear on them. They look like (or worse than) in the photo on this site. And the deep scratches in the surface affect the feel of the ball in the hands and fingers. Scratches occured on very hard terrains.
I had a set of the MS 2110 which are super soft and they appeared to wear better.
But the bi-pole look nice, new pattern etc. So good aesthetics. Depends on why you buy them...