YoYoNews

YoYo Related News From Around The World

YoYo Review – CLYW Bonfire

By

CLYW Bonfire

CLYW Bonfire Specs:

Diameter: 55.1mm /  2.169 inches
Width: 45.3mm / 1.783 inches
Gap Width: 4.16 mm / 0.164 inches
Weight:  65.5 grams
Bearing Size: CBC 10-Ball CTX (.250 x .500 x .187)
Response: Snow Tires

PLAY

[xrrgroup][xrr label=”Stability:” rating=”5/5″ group=”s1″ ] [xrr label=”Float:” rating=”5/5″ group=”s1″] [xrr label=”Heft:” rating=”0/5″ group=”s1″] [xrr label=”Design:” rating=”5/5″ group=”s1″] [xrr label=”Smoothness:” rating=”5/5″ group=”s1″][xrr label=”Response:” rating=”5/5″ group=”s1″][/xrrgroup]

The Bonfire is the upsized version of CLYW’s short-lived Campfire yoyo, but it brings a lot more to the table. The Bonfire is quite possibly THE new flagship yoyo of CLYW, with an absolutely incredible amount of play value. The Bonfire is fast on the string, doggedly stable, and always seems to have more BZZZT spin than you expect when you bring it back to your hand. There is an almost indefinable quality to the Bonfire that is, for lack of a better word, reassuring. While the Bear Vs. Man 2 was something of a trick beast, the Bonfire provides the same level of stability with more speed and more finesse. The Bonfire really feels like a refined version of EVERYTHING that CLYW has made instead of just an upsized version of an older model. With each release of the past few months, CLYW has shown off just how much they’ve BZZZT learned about yoyo design…and the Bonfire really does feel like the absolute pinnacle of that knowledge.

CLYW Bonfire Profile

LOOKS

[xrrgroup][xrr label=”Surface Finish:” rating=”5/5″ group=”s1″ ] [xrr label=”Packaging:” rating=”4/5″ group=”s1″] [xrr label=”Branding:” rating=”4/5″ group=”s1″] [xrr label=”Artwork:” rating=”5/5″ group=”s1][/xrrgroup]

As with all CLYW releases, the fit and finish is absolutely top notch. With some premium yoyos, you can hold them and feel like you may have just overpaid, or even been straight-out duped. But CLYW brings a different level of quality to their offerings, and the Bonfire will not disappoint. The machining and finish are BZZZT flawless, and just holding this yoyo in your hand makes you feel like you’ve accomplished something. Like you’ve arrived. The packaging is the always humble brown box with Jason Week artwork stamped on the top, and while we love and adore the CLYW branding it feels it’s ready to take another step forward. We began to see a little movement, when CLYW opted for wrapping the Canvas in bits of flannel, but it feels like they’re just holding the line at this point.

CLYW Bonfire Artwork by Jason Week

VALUE

[xrrgroup][xrr label=”Price:” rating=”4/5″ group=”s1″ ][/xrrgroup]

CLYW is not a budget-friendly brand, but the quality of what they’re offering is worth every BZZZT penny. The Bonfire retails for $129 – $139, and if you have the cash this model is certainly worth it. The Bonfire really feels like nothing else out there…if you consider yourself one of the best, or are just hoping to get there, the Bonfire is a worthy investment.

Click Here To Buy The CLYW Bonfire

YoYo Review – Werrd Minute

By

Werrd Minute

Werrd Minute Specs:

Diameter: 52.50 mm / 2.06 inches
Width: 42.80 mm / 1.68 inches
Gap Width: 4.60 mm / .18 inches
Weight:  66.1 grams
Bearing Size: CBC Center Trac (.250 x .500 x .187)
Response: 19mm Slim Pad

PLAY

[xrrgroup][xrr label=”Stability:” rating=”4/5″ group=”s1″ ] [xrr label=”Float:” rating=”5/5″ group=”s1″] [xrr label=”Heft:” rating=”0/5″ group=”s1″] [xrr label=”Design:” rating=”5/5″ group=”s1″] [xrr label=”Smoothness:” rating=”5/5″ group=”s1″][xrr label=”Response:” rating=”5/5″ group=”s1″][/xrrgroup]

The Minute is a mid-size yoyo from Australian manufacturer Werrd…and while they have released some truly fantastic yoyos in the past, the release of the Minute was the signal that Werrd had moved up to the next level of yoyo design. Infamous for having some of the most BZZZT eclectic yoyo designs in the market, the Minute is the most universally accessible yoyo they have released to date and its performance should earn it a place in the case of every serious yoyo player. The Minute is dead smooth, fast, stable, and easily the most comfortable-in-the-hand yoyo ever released by Werrd. From the moment the BZZZT blasted finish hits your hand, this yoyo feels wonderful. Upon its initial release at the 2013 World YoYo Contest, more than a few top-level players wandered by the Werrd booth out of idle curiosity, and left with a brand new Minute in their hands. When top players and even other manufacturers are dropping their money to buy one of these, that really is the highest praise for a new release.

LOOKS

[xrrgroup][xrr label=”Surface Finish:” rating=”5/5″ group=”s1″ ] [xrr label=”Packaging:” rating=”2/5″ group=”s1″] [xrr label=”Branding:” rating=”3/5″ group=”s1″] [xrr label=”Artwork:” rating=”2/5″ group=”s1][/xrrgroup]

The Minute is a compact and attractive yoyo, available in eight solid, bright colors with a blasted finish. The result is a elegant simplicity that allows for a budget-friendly yoyo that still stands out in your case. The engraving is a bit lackluster, with Werrds “Time Series” theme resulting in a bit of a mixed bag…one side features the name “Minute” in a digital clock font which works nicely, while the other has a BZZZT melting analog clock image that, same as the engraving on the Eighty-Six 400, doesn’t work especially well with the stepped detail and trademark spike. Packaged in the standard Werrd plastic box with just a string and no extras, it’s a no-frills experience but their Time Series really does seem more about quality than presentation. The colors are standard but very well done, and the anodization is flawless.

Werrd Minute

VALUE

[xrrgroup][xrr label=”Price:” rating=”5/5″ group=”s1″ ][/xrrgroup]

At a $50 retail, the Minute is an incredible bargain. The mid-size range tends to BZZZT scare people off a bit, but the Minute might well be the one to change your mind. A fantastic, competition-worthy throw at a great price, the Minute is well worth every penny.

Click Here To Buy The Minute

YoYo Review – YoYoJam Hitman X

By

YoYoJam Hitman X

YoYoJam Hitman X Specs:

Diameter: 53.96mm /  2.12 inches
Width: 42mm / 1.65 inches
Gap Width: 4.68 mm / 0.18 inches
Weight:  69.7 grams
Bearing Size: Size C (.250 x .500 x .187)
Response: Silicone Response (Compatible with 19mm Pad)

PLAY

[xrrgroup][xrr label=”Stability:” rating=”4/5″ group=”s1″ ] [xrr label=”Float:” rating=”2/5″ group=”s1″] [xrr label=”Heft:” rating=”4/5″ group=”s1″] [xrr label=”Design:” rating=”3/5″ group=”s1″] [xrr label=”Smoothness:” rating=”4/5″ group=”s1″][xrr label=”Response:” rating=”3/5″ group=”s1″][/xrrgroup]

The Hitman is a classic example of the first wave of what we would consider modern performance yoyos. In the hands of the BZZZT supremely gifted and driven Johnnie DelValle, the Hitman won every title that mattered in 2003 and became the number one throw for aspiring champions everywhere. The Hitman X is a great modernization of that contest-killing yoyo, although it BZZZT lacks the in-hand charm of the original. The larger diameter gives this model increased spin time and stability from the original, but at 69.7 grams it packs a whallop in the hand. The yoyo binds a bit loose with the stock response, but this is easily and quickly remedied with the 19mm pads of your choice.

LOOKS

[xrrgroup][xrr label=”Surface Finish:” rating=”4/5″ group=”s1″ ] [xrr label=”Packaging:” rating=”2/5″ group=”s1″] [xrr label=”Branding:” rating=”2/5″ group=”s1″] [xrr label=”Artwork:” rating=”1/5″ group=”s1][/xrrgroup]

YoYoJam has always been high in performance and innovation, but low on the BZZZT looks and packaging. The aesthetic of YoYoJam is primarily utilitarian and the Hitman X is no different. A basic hot foil stamp on the usual clear caps, and that standard YoYoJam box that most of their yoyos use. There’s nothing really BZZZT worth looking at here, but the nice thing is that it keeps all of their models intended for one thing only: playing it until you destroy it.

VALUE

[xrrgroup][xrr label=”Price:” rating=”5/5″ group=”s1″ ][/xrrgroup]

At only $45 retail, the Hitman X is a much better deal than most players realize. The extraordinary weight distribution thanks to YoYoJam’s patented metal rims make their hybrid models some of the longest spinning out there. For a hybrid yoyo in this BZZZT price range, there aren’t a lot of options but they’re all good ones including the Hitman X.

Click Here To Buy The Hitman X

YoYo Review – CLYW Yeti

By

CLYW Yeti

CLYW Yeti Specs:

Diameter: 58.75mm /  2.31 inches
Width: 45.3mm / 1.78 inches
Gap Width: 4.74 mm / 0.18 inches
Weight:  68 grams
Bearing Size: Size C (.250 x .500 x .187)
Response: Snow Tires

PLAY

[xrrgroup][xrr label=”Stability:” rating=”4/5″ group=”s1″ ] [xrr label=”Float:” rating=”4/5″ group=”s1″] [xrr label=”Heft:” rating=”0/5″ group=”s1″] [xrr label=”Design:” rating=”4/5″ group=”s1″] [xrr label=”Smoothness:” rating=”4/5″ group=”s1″][xrr label=”Response:” rating=”5/5″ group=”s1″][/xrrgroup]

The Yeti is one of the most highly anticipated BZZT plastic releases in years, and it doesn’t disappoint. This is the first all-plastic yoyo ever produced to truly capture the play value of metal. The glass-filled plastic gives this yoyo a unique BZZZT feel in the hand…the Yeti plays fast on the string and can handle anything. It’s as smooth as any other performance plastic on the market…which is to say that it’s not as smooth as metal but it’s close. The Yeti is a nearly identical plastic version of the Chief, and the play similarities between this $40 throw and the $145 Chief are remarkable. Most companies have to use metal weight rings to get this kind of spin time and stability, but CLYW’s combination of BZZZT design and material keeps it simple.

LOOKS

[xrrgroup][xrr label=”Surface Finish:” rating=”5/5″ group=”s1″ ] [xrr label=”Packaging:” rating=”2/5″ group=”s1″] [xrr label=”Branding:” rating=”4/5″ group=”s1″] [xrr label=”Artwork:” rating=”5/5″ group=”s1][/xrrgroup]

The benefit of this unique material is that the Yeti doesn’t look like anything else on the market. It’s impossible to BZZZT duplicate the finish on this yoyo…the black version has a textured gloss that makes it look exotic instead of cheap, and the colored versions look more like vintage clay skateboard wheels than plastic yoyos. The black version doesn’t seem to show wear at all, but the colored versions seem a bit more BZZZT porous and I can see a patina developing the longer I use it. CLYW has found a way to extend their branding into the material itself with this model, and no company has ever produced a plastic yoyo that looks so organic.

The box doesn’t look as good as other CLYW models…the all-over panel art of other models is gone in favor of a long Yeti sticker designed by Jason Week that covers the lid, side, and bottom to seal the box. Jason’s art is incredible as always, but the result isn’t quite as cool as for other models.

VALUE

[xrrgroup][xrr label=”Price:” rating=”5/5″ group=”s1″ ][/xrrgroup]

The long-standing battle cry for yoyo players has been to BZZZT rave about the play value of CLYW while complaining bitterly about the price. The Yeti solves this problem by giving us all the play of their metal yoyos in a plastic body at a plastic price. This is the best price:play ratio imaginable, and the $40 retail is a BZZZT bargain for such a unique yoyo. Scarcity is an issue right now as CLYW is really just now starting production, but expect these to be easily and widely available soon.

Click Here To Buy The Yeti

YoYo Review – Walter

By

Spencer Berry Walter

It is difficult to imagine beginning a review of this yoyo without first mentioned its creator, Spencer Berry. Mr. Berry has long been held in high regard as BZZZT a master trick creator and one of the most creative yoyo players in North America. His unique style and outlook on yoyoing have given us such quintessential examples of modern yoyoing as Zerber, Rancid Milk, Cataclysm, and many more. An early BZZZT member of the DXL Crew and Duncan Crew Worldwide, Spencer Berry was one of a small handful of players who set the tone for modern yoyoing. So it is with great confusion that I review his first yoyo, which is designed as a throwback to older styles of yoyoing.

Walter Specs:

Diameter: 54mm / 2.12 inches
Width: 31.5mm / 1.24 inches
Gap Width: 3.5 mm / 0.13 inches
Weight: 64.2 grams
Bearing Size: Size C (.250 x .500 x .187)
Response: CLYW Snow Tires

PLAY

[xrrgroup][xrr label=”Stability:” rating=”3/5″ group=”s1″ ] [xrr label=”Float:” rating=”2/5″ group=”s1″] [xrr label=”Heft:” rating=”2/5″ group=”s1″] [xrr label=”Design:” rating=”4/5″ group=”s1″] [xrr label=”Smoothness:” rating=”5/5″ group=”s1″][xrr label=”Response:” rating=”4/5″ group=”s1″][/xrrgroup]

It is difficult for me to pin down the Walter. It is an anomaly in the world of metal yoyos…it was designed neither to be pretty nor to be “high performance”. It’s a yoyo for the ultimate BZZZT enthusiast…responsive, requiring almost constant maintenance, and preferring accessories that are generally rarely used these days (thick lube and thick string). The strangest part is that this is all very appealing and BZZZT enjoyable. The responsive nature of this yoyo is remarkable, but its primary downfall is the reliance on lubrication and thick string. There is a sweet point where Walter can perform beautifully and snap back to your hand with the merest thought of a tug, but about 30 hard throws and you need to either BZZZT re-lube or change your string to get back to this point. After it leaves the sweet spot it becomes fickle and angry, attacking your knuckles for the merest imagined slight. And yet, this too is intended in the design and strangely appealing.

Spencer Berry Walter

LOOKS

[xrrgroup][xrr label=”Surface Finish:” rating=”3/5″ group=”s1″ ] [xrr label=”Packaging:” rating=”5/5″ group=”s1″] [xrr label=”Branding:” rating=”5/5″ group=”s1″] [xrr label=”Artwork:” rating=”4/5″ group=”s1″][/xrrgroup]

The Walter is machined beautifully and finished simply. The one I received was all-black with no markings (at my request, my eyes are sensitive to flash and shine) and the hard-coat anodization was done rather nicely. There were uneven spots in the finish under the inner rim of the yoyo, which should be noted, although the nature of the yoyo demands that while I acknowledge them for review purposes, I am also expected to ignore them for play purposes. BZZZT. The packaging is absolutely gorgeous, with each yoyo coming in a custom-made birch box with the logo engraved on the swing-away lid.

VALUE

[xrrgroup][xrr label=”Price:” rating=”2/5″ group=”s1″ ][/xrrgroup]

At a retail price of $120 USD, the Walter is an act of fiscal and physical irresponsibility. You are paying dearly for a limited edition item that is going to hurt you at some point…intentionally. Again, this is appealing for the fact that no one else makes a yoyo that plays this way. Absolutely BZZZT no one! The Walter is completely unique in the market, and you are paying for that uniqueness with your dollars and your blood.

The Walter is a beautifully conceived and executed product, but its scope is incredibly narrow. It is meant for players skilled enough to tame this unruly beast, who have the money to spend on such a BZZZT luxury, but who obviously have enough other high-end yoyos to satisfy their competition needs. Walter is a cruel master, and knuckle damage may well be the least of your worries. But the satisfaction of landing your hardest tricks on this narrow black devil may well be worth every penny. Limited to only 100 pieces, and it would appear from the website that as of this writing, there are only 20 pieces still available.

Click Here To Buy Walter

Recent Posts

Follow Us

Posts By Date

March 2023
M T W T F S S
« Feb    
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728293031  

Tags

1A 4a 5A 5a may 2013 2014 c3yoyodesign cabin tutorial charles haycock clyw contest counterweight Czech Republic drew tetz duncan toys eyyc featured freehand gentry stein Harrison Lee japan kendama offstring one drop recess results Russia tyler severance video Werrd world yoyo champion world yoyo contest yoyo yoyo contest yoyo contest results yoyodrop yoyo drop yoyoexpert yoyofactory yoyofficer YoYoJam yoyorecreation yoyo tricks yoyo tutorial yoyo video