If you are a serious manipulator these set can't pass the exam. The balls aren't heavy enough. Very breakable. The shell does not fit exactly no matter if you are on stage the ball with the shell can't be shown both sides. And... the grip really hurts!!.

I love these! They don't slip under normal use, and they are relatively sturdy. I uses them professionally at least 4 times a week, and broke the shell of my first set after about 3 years of heavy use. I have had the balls split at the seam (after a drop on a tile floor), but a little super glue made them like new.

I have small hands, and many balls are just two big and I can't hold them with confidence. Perhaps if I had larger hands the smoother and heavier balls would be more comfortable.

As for the statement - they scream cheap . . . they are plastic, which makes them light weight, and under close examination they are not as pretty as some other ball sets. Since I do not do a close-up routine with them, I find how they look close-up not to be a factor. They look good on stage. The only complaint I have is they only come in silver, and yellow would be easier to see from a distance.

I find the Vernet MBB difficult to handle due to the fact that they are just too light in weight and do not give any "feedback" during manipulation. Even though the balls are textured they tend to get slick during extensive practice sessions. If you wash them with soap and water that will usually take care of it. They also are NOT indestructable. I dropped one on a our tile floor and it broke in half along the seem, I was able to glue it back together. On a positive note I will say they do shine bright and can be seen from quite a distance away.

save your money they do gleam but every thing else screams cheep