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[acko109]

i find i swing the ball more if the rough side is damp through the sweat .. and i tend not to spit to much on the shiny side that it stays quite dry

[tim2000s]

I've always used sweat or spit on the side I'm trying to shine, and I can get an old ball to shine like crazy (but I've had years of practice)... I don't think you can rub one side with no lube and get as good a shine.

[Talisman]

Sweat is best as it breaks down the tallow in the leather and allows moisture to penetrate further into the ball, this is why they can take on extra weight yet shine and produce the reverse swing when coupled with a rough dry side.