Looks like we have another boutique yoyo manufacturer!
Whimsy is a new yoyo manufacturer based in Hong Kong, and they’re kicking things off with some really nice branding and packaging for their first model, the Pokerface. The finish is an acid wash anodization, but the side art appears to just be a sticker is a printed plastic sidecar that is friction fit in the side of the yoyo (see below for better image). There are three variations of this same model; the Spade, the Heart, and the Joker, each with different color ano and different side art, at a retail price of $125 $90. There are also flocked versions of each, which sounds cool but as we learned from the folly of the Duncan Velvet, flocking on yoyos doesn’t hold up very well. The flocked versions also retail for a whopping $185, which isn’t going to see them flying off the shelves anytime soon $120, which is better but still going to be a tough sell in today’s metal market.
The packaging is great, just a small box that perfectly mimics the box that a deck of cards comes in. The art and layout look to be really well done…great presentation for a first release! Hopefully the yoyo plays as good as it looks.
Whimsy Pokerface Specs:
Diameter: 56.68mm / 2.23 inches
Width: 40.97mm / 1.61 inches
Gap Width: 4.1mm / 0.16 inches
Weight: 66.1 grams
Response: Large Silicone Sticker
Retail: $90 – $120
WHO MAKES THIS? ITS BEAUTIFUL.
I have no idea. I’ve emailed them for more info on the company and who is behind it, but no response yet.
What does “flocked” mean?
That means they coat the yoyo in an adhesive, and then glue tiny fibers of a fabric material to the yoyo which results in the yoyo feeling like it’s covered in velvet. The process is mostly used in model train sets to simulate grass.
Duncan did it in the 1970s with the “Duncan Velvet”. It didn’t turn out well.