Alexis JV teaches us another of his lovely tricks, this one starting from a reverse spin. I’ve always been a huge fan of reverse-spin sidestyle tricks…that top bind at the end just feels so satisfying.
Yoyo used is the Unspoken Paradox.
Alexis JV Tutorial – Indie Limonade
Alexis JV brings us a tutorial for a really beautiful original trick called “Indie Limonade”. Grab you a fresh string and get to work on this one!
Yoyo used is the Unspoken Project Paradox.
We Got This Pt. 3 ft. Harrison Lee
Good friends, good tricks, good times! Coleman Weimer and Harrison Lee bring us the third video in their “We Got This” series, and it’s the best one yet. Check out two stellar players at the top of their game, tooling around Vancouver and having a blast.
Yoyo used is the CLYW Orca.
King Yo Star & Monkeyfinger Announce Silverback King Collab
King Yo Star and Monkeyfinger have announced a new collaboration, an offstring yoyo called the Silverback King.
Designed and produced by these two Canadian companies, the Silverback King is designed to be a great all-around offstring yoyo…easy for beginners, but capable of more advanced tricks.
Available now in limited quantities at YoYoExpert!
King Yo Star x Monkeyfinger Silverback King Specs:
Diameter: 76.9mm
Width: 60.05mm
Gap Width: 2.55mm
Weight: 79.5 grams
Bearing: Size C 10-Ball Grooved Bearing installed, 8-Ball Flat Bearing included
Response: 19mm Slim Pads
2015 BC Provincial YoYo Championship Results & Video
YoYoNews has full results, scoring breakdowns, and video of some of the winners from the 2015 BC Provincial YoYo Championship held this past weekend in Canada.
1A Division
1st Place – Lucky Li
2nd Place – Harrison Lee
3rd Place – Boming Wang
4th Place – Junhong Mcintosh-Lee
5th Place – Samson Song Yao
Open Division
1st Place – Jeremy McKay
2nd Place – Boming Wang
1A Junior Division
Harrison Lee on Global BC (Again!)
CLYW player Harrison Lee put up some great press in advance of the BC Provincial Championships this past weekend. Check out the champ’s most recent appearance on Canadian national television.
Yoyo used is the Orca by CLYW.
YoYo Review – Monkeyfinger Ape-X
Monkeyfinger Ape-X Specs:
Diameter: 55.21 mm / 2.17 inches
Width: 41.6 mm / 1.64 inches
Gap Width: 4. mm / 0.15 inches
Weight: 67.9 grams
Bearing Size: Size C (.250 x .500 x .187)
Response: Monkeysnot Flowable Silicone (compatible with 19mm pads)
PLAY
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The Ape-X is the most accessible, “all-around” design yet from Canadian manufacturer, Monkeyfinger. With a more conventionally-shaped body and a comfortable feel in the hand, the Ape-X handles modern play easily while giving the player a more “classic” yoyo feel. It’s not the most stable throw out there for plane-bending tricks, but it has a solid, reassuring feel in the hand and plays lightly and quickly on the end of the string. The profile is a classic, rounded shape with a v-shape accent that give it a more modern look and feel. In an era where “zero wall” yoyos are becoming more and more popular, it’s a nice change of pace to use something that features a more classic, organic body shape.
With a bead-blasted finish on the catch-zone, the yoyo grinds well and feels great in the hand. As you’d expect of any modern aluminum yoyo, it spins dead smooth. The Monkeysnot response works fine, but as with all flowable response applications it’s difficult to maintain consistency of play and can quickly become the impetus for #yoyodamage. The binds started off smooth and reliable but an air bubble in the response quickly turned into a tear, and I replaced the silicone with a standard 19mm pad. If you like and can manage the variables of flowable silicone, Monkeysnot works great. If you prefer something easier to maintain and are a fan of instant gratification, stick with pads.
LOOKS
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The anodizing and finish on the Ape-X are beautifully done! While our review model is not a production color, the finish quality is the same on the final production. We’re quite fond of our earth-tone, olive green with gold and blue splash, but the production colors are notably brighter and bolder. Monkeyfinger seems to be in the process of replacing/overhauling their packaging, and our review model only came in the customary fabric pouch. So, zero stars for packaging, but that’s only a reflection of their transition and not an actual commentary on the quality of packaging.
Monkeyfinger avoids engraving on their yoyos, and instead opts for a subtle “ghost logo” anodized in a contrasting finish. The glossy Monkeyfinger icon on the matte portion of the yoyo is subtle but effective.
VALUE
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Retailing for $105, the Ape-X isn’t a budget throw by any means, but it’s still reasonable for a high-end yoyo made in small batches by a boutique manufacturer. It’s still more reasonably priced than quite a few lesser performing yoyos, though, so we’re going to say that if you have the money, the price is right where it should be.
Click Here To Buy The Ape-X
King Yo Star Presents: Vancouver Downtown ft. Luckey Li
Canadian contender Luckey Li shows off the new K!T by King Yo Star, and also illustrates why you should pay attention to your surroundings when you’re throwing in public. He almost nails two people in the first 0:45 of the video.
Note to self: don’t stand next to Luckey at a contest. Yikes.
YoYoDrop – CLYW Bonfire
This Friday, CLYW will finally release the Bonfire! Along with their new Winter 5-Panel Camper hat, this next part of CLYW’s new 2014 line will be available this Friday at 4pm (Mountain Time) only at CLYW.ca.
From CLYW:
I’m sure most of you guessed it, the design of the Bonfire is based off of the Campfire, but just … you know … BIGGER! We kept the same look, but under the hood it’s a different animal. The original Campfire was known for being a pocket throw that is super stable, quick and long spinning. The Bonfire is built for fun and flowing tricks. It’s floaty in all the right ways making it similar in play to the Peak and Chief. Ever since Chuck got one, he can’t put it down.
The Bonfire will be available in Part 2 of the 2014 Release, which will be dropping this Friday at 4pm (Mountain Time) at our store. Part 2 will include our new 5 Panels and the Bonfire. We’ve decided to split up the Bonfire and Puffin 2 due to time constraints with Christmas. So we’re going to be doing a Part 3, which will be scheduled for early/mid January and will include the Puffin 2 and more Yetis.
We’re currently working with FedEx on a better rate for shipping to the US, so that we can guarantee arrival on these before Christmas. Keep your fingers crossed for us!
Specs for the Bonfire are posted below, and if you missed our post about CLYW’s new 5-panel camper hats you can find it here.
CLYW Bonfire Specs
Diameter: 2.169″ / 55.1 mm
Width: 1.783″ / 45.3 mm
Gap: 0.164″ / 4.16 mm
Weight: 66.1 g
Bearing: CTX 10 Ball by Central Bearing Company
Response: Aqua Snow Tires
Made in USA by OneDropDesign
Artwork by: Jason Week
Top: Black Bip Bop
2nd row (left to right): Clareview Station, Harrison Hurricane
3rd row (left to right): Black with Copper Speckles, Concrete Blizzard, Ash Berry
Bottom row (left to right): Solid Green, Red with Clear Splash, Solid Gold, 28 Stories
CLYW Announces New Custom String
The good news just keeps on pouring down from the Great White North, doesn’t it?
CLYW has now announced that in addition to the Friday release of the coloured Yetis, Arctic Circle: Second Expedition, and Gnarwhal 2, they’ll be dropping the first batch of their new custom string.
From their site:
On Friday Nov 22nd, we will also be releasing ‘Slackline‘, our brand new line of custom CLYW strings made right here in Canada. We wanted to develop a unique high end variety of string that incorporates all of the characteristics we value and love.
There will be three different types available:
Poly – A polyester string with the perfect tension. It has a lively bounce to it and is fantastic at holding it’s shape for slacks and suicides. Feels great on the fingers. Currently comes in Neon Green.
Hybrid – The ultimate balance of Nylon and Poly. It’s super smooth on the fingers, lasts forever and holds shape really well. Whips feel like cheating with how quick this string moves through the air. Comes in Neon Yellow and White.
Glow – The Polyester we know and love, but glows to the max!
No word on pricing, but we’ll find out on Friday! And check out the glow….nice!
YoYo Review – Monkeyfinger Forte
Forte Specs:
Diameter: 56mm / 2.2 inches
Width: 35.6mm / 1.4 inches
Gap Width: 4.6 mm / 0.18 inches
Weight: 68 grams
Bearing Size: Size C (.250 x .500 x .187)
Response: Monkey Snot Flowable Silicone
PLAY
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The Forte is very much a vanity project for Monkeyfinger player Mike Montgomery. It’s not a yoyo that is going to have a wide player appeal…it was very obviously designed to a single person’s tastes and that comes across in the general play of the yoyo. The typically full-sized diameter combined with weighing 68 grams and measuring about 7mm narrower than most full-sized yoyos gives this a solid thwack as it hits your hand, and the threat of #yoyodamage with this bit of metal is very, very real. The yoyo spins dead smooth, but being both narrow AND heavy is a lot to ask of the average player. The yoyo does play quite well, though. Actually, it plays REALLY well. It’s remarkably stable and holds spin through pretty much anything you can throw at it. But the narrow profile makes it feel a bit awkward in the hand, and if you pull it back at full speed you stand a really good chance of regretting it.
LOOKS
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The Forte is machined nicely, but it’s not an attractive yoyo. Straight lines and hard angles all over, both in the profile and the inner cup area. It’s not that there’s anything wrong with plenty of straight lines…lots of yoyos go for that these days and it works wonderfully. But something about this yoyo being so narrow makes this look like a metal version of an early TMBR yoyo…very rudimentary. The black anodization is very uneven, appearing almost brown in places and looking worn through in others, both in the gap and the inner cup. I’m told this is intentional, but since it’s not a uniform finish the result is a bit odd. But to be fair, it’s not very noticeable unless you’re really inspecting it.
Monkeyfinger gets some points for unique packaging, and the fabric pouches that are packaged with the yoyo are a nice touch. But the box graphics are a mess! The box carries a dark argyle & skull pattern, but then has pseudo-graffiti blow-apart diagram of the yoyo that looks to be simply carried over from other packaging…in spite of not even matching the Olde English Monkeyfinger logo. There’s so much going on that it’s hard to get any idea of what you’re looking at, and it’s genuinely difficult to recognize if Forte is the name of the yoyo or the company making it.
VALUE
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At $125, this is not a casual purchase and it’s definitely not a bargain. At this price, it’s a commitment to a yoyo that plays well, feels odd, and looks…well, you can decide how it looks for yourself. I don’t care for the finish but opinions may vary.
The Forte plays really nicely, but feels weird in the hand. If you’re looking for something narrow, heavy, and stable, look no further! This yoyo can handle a lot in the trick department, and the narrow width admittedly makes it a good everyday pocket throw. But it’s an oddball, for sure, and carries a high threat of #yoyodamage due to its weight and narrow profile.
Click Here To Buy Forte
SPYY Legacy
Known for their high-precision throws, SPYY was a benchmark company. Over the past decade, they continually raised the bar with their high-level precision and innovative design. Thus, it came as unfortunate news that SPYY has recently closed up shop.
In addition to their amazing yoyos, SPYY provided us with an amazing team of players that pushed creativity to the max. This video is a nod to SPYY, Steve Buffel, and the amazing team he has supported throughout SPYY’s incredible journey. Featuring SPYY’s final roster of players, this video takes a look back at the players, tricks, and yoyos that helped make SPYY a company that will never be forgotten.
Song: Hero by Family of the Year (itunes.apple.com/us/album/loma-vista/id527663303)
For past SPYY videos, check out:
Just Throwin’ 2 – YouTube
Just Throwin’ with Team SPYY – Youtube & Vimeo
Devon Jackson – Youtube
Punchline Repeater – Vimeo
Who the #%$@ is Gary Longoria? – Vimeo
Speed Freak – Vimeo
Totally Rad: SPYY Pro – Vimeo
Punchline! The Final Issue – Vimeo
Punchline! – Youtube & Vimeo
Goodbye, SPYY
We woke up to some bad, bad news this morning. SPYY, makers of some of the most underrated but consistently awesome performance yoyos, is closing up shop.
SPYY came on the scene in 2003 with the Saturn Experiment, an attempt to produce a high-end yo-yo that can handle multiple string layers (bind-style) around the axle without stopping or returning to the hand. In 2005 the first high-end consumer yo-yo was produced, the Saturn Radian and it went on sale on eBay in early 2006. The first run sold out quickly, with a huge interest from the market. For the time, the yoyo was one of the smoothest competition throws available and players quickly became obsessed with what would be next from this small Canadian company.
From there they produced the Addict, a more rounded profile throw, that expanded their fan base considerably. As their following grew, they began acquiring a team that would eventually include Guy Wright, Ed Haponik, Alexis JV, Nate Sutter, Sebastian Brock, Gary Longoria, Lilia Markham, Joey Fleshman, and Devon Jackson. Recently produced models include the excellent TMBR x SPYY EH, Dynamo, and Amplifier.
SPYY’s remaining stock has been shipped off to YoYoExpert, and if you were ever on the fence about picking one of their models up we recommend you grab one now. Below is an excerpt from the email that SPYY sent out to their team and a few friends…and we’d like to personally thank Steve Buffel and his wife Suzanne for everything they’ve done for the industry and the community. You couldn’t possibly imagine a pair of more wonderful people, and while we’re sad to see SPYY go away it’s reassuring to know that at least we’re just losing some yoyos, and not some friends. Thanks for everything, SPYY!
—–
Thanks for taking a chance on us and our little yoyo company. Suzanne and I tried to push it to a full time carrier a while back, but I melted my soul in the process.
I think it’s time to call it a day. 10,000 yoyos sold to date. I guess we can all be proud of that. It’s been a fun ride with crazy ups and downs, just like this hobby of ours 🙂
I wish you all the best and you have our blessings and full support to pursue yoyoing however you feel it suits you best.
Thanks and please stay in touch. We’ll see you around.
Hugs and tears,
Steve & Suzanne
SPYY
Harrison Lee – News Roundup
Ok, this is our last love letter to Harrison Lee. This week, anyway.
Harrison racked up two more broadcast TV spots leading up to the recent Western Canada Regionals, including CBC News Vancouver and Global TV, both of which are embedded below. CLYW really caught lightning in a bottle with Harrison, and it’s great to see him handling himself so well in all these interviews!
And in case you missed it, here’s Harrison’s stellar 2nd Place finish at the Western Canada Regionals. Great job, Harrison!