YoYo Spotlight – Axis Pulsefire

February 1, 2016 By YoYoNews

Axis Pulsefire Specs:

Diameter: 55.9mm
Width: 42.88mm
Weight: 64.7 grams
Response: 19mm pad
Bearing: Size C (.250 x .500 x .187)

The Pulsefire is the first release from Axis YoYos, the new company from all-around nice guys James Reed and Tyler Hsieh. The yoyo is stable, fast, and is well-suited for the highest levels of play in 1A, 3A, and 5A styles. The Pulsefire started off as a crowd-funded project on IndieGoGo, and has quickly become a competition favorite that you can find on stage at pretty much every contest in the US.

PLAY

The Axis Pulsefire is an absolute contest-killer of a yoyo. With a wide v-shape profile and perfect weight distribution, the spin and stability on this yoyo are hard to beat. The combination of an ultra-light 7075 aluminum body with the stainless still rims can easily result in slow, clunky play but the Pulsefire has managed to provide extreme rim-weighting with smooth throws and light, fast play. The shape itself is quite comfortable in the hand and handles both standard and horizontal play with ease. It’s hard to describe, but this yoyo feels like the new new. Maybe it’s the slew of young talent that has immediately gravitated towards Axis and the Pulsefire, maybe it’s the speed that this yoyo naturally seems to want to play; either way, the Axis Pulsefire has gotten a tremendous amount of stage time for a new release and it definitely deserves it.

LOOKS

Available in several solid and splash colors, the Pulsefire has come out of the gate looking good. The anodizing is high-quality, with colors and splashes that are chosen and applied well. The fit of the stainless steel rims is perfect, and the seam where the rims meet the body is perfectly smooth and flush. The engraving is simple and clean, and the artwork is outstanding. For a new company to pay such attention to detail and actually show up out of the gate with quality graphic design and a solid brand image is pretty rare, and it’s great to see this much effort and care being put in to the final product.

VALUE

The Axis Pulsefire retails for $120, which is typical for high-quality bi-metal yoyos. The quality construction, anodizing, fit and finish make this worth the price, along with the fact that it can handle any trick you can throw. This is a top-notch competition yoyo, and absolutely worth the price.

BUY THE AXIS PULSEFIRE

The Axis Pulsefire is available now through YoYoExpert.

THIS POST SPONSORED BY AXIS YOYOS.

Ryosuke Kawamura Presents: Paul Kerbel

January 28, 2016 By Johnny Le

Paul Kerbel gets a turn in the spot light of Ryosuke Kawamura’s player video series. Paul performs his tricks with such ease, that they appear almost magical. Probably because Paul is not human. He is a magical Mexican elf-man.

Yoyo used is YoYoFactory Horizon.

Ryosuke Kawamura Presents: Ky Zizan

January 26, 2016 By Steve Brown

Ky Zizan is front and center in the latest video from everyone’s favorite video collector, Ryosuke Kawamura. If yoyo players were Pokemon, Ryosuke would be that guy who caught all the Pokemon.

Yoyos used are the Recess Weekend and Joyride.

Dwight Daly Jr. – Halyard POV 2

January 20, 2016 By Steve Brown

Dwight Daly Jr. brings us another solid POV video. This guy is coming up quick…great trick construction and flow!

Yoyo used is the YoYo Workshop Halyard.

Jackey Li – Lion Rock

January 16, 2016 By Steve Brown

C3yoyodesign offers up the good stuff from Hong Kong team member Jackey Li Ho Kwan! Jackey’s tricks (and hair) are always fantastic…enjoy!

Yoyos used are the C3yoyodesign Imagine Breaker and Hobbit Gungnir.

Cabin Tutorial – Blue Pancakes

January 14, 2016 By Steve Brown

Riccardo Fraolini drops a truly beautiful trick with a couple of amazing rewind/regens right at the end. Startling and beautiful trick construction from the king of the #trickcircle.

Yoyo used is the CLYW Scout.

Nick De Valpine – 2016

January 13, 2016 By Johnny Le

Nick De Valpine makes it looks effortless in this great new video showing that he’s a person to look out for in 2016.

Yoyo used is C3 YoYodesign Berserker

Ken Russell – From YoYos to Politics

January 4, 2016 By Steve Brown

Ken Russell is now the City of Miami Commissioner for District 2. Ken, as you might recall, is part of the Russell family that made their name selling more than a billion Coca-Cola branded yoyos worldwide.

Russell Promotions was started by the legendary Jack Russell, and originally served as the international arm of Duncan Toys. Jack was a Duncan demonstrator with an eye for business and promotion, and he had a knack for getting Duncan into international markets that had no cultural connection with the yoyo by co-marketing them as advertising premiums. The business took off, and eventually Jack left Duncan and formed his own company, with the gentleman’s agreement that he would stay out of the United States and leave that business to Duncan.

jack_russell

Jack Russell

My favorite Russell story comes from Jack’s time with Duncan. Jack traveled to Cuba to launch a yoyo promotion there, and even brought along his convertible with “Jack Russell – Duncan YoYo Demonstrator” emblazoned on the doors. Pretty swanky stuff. Unfortunately he had to leave the car there when he fled Cuba with only the clothes on his back because some dude named Fidel Castro seized power and everything went sideways. Chances are good that car is still on the island, and maybe even still running. Now that Cuba is once again open to US citizens, first one to find it gets a hell of a prize package from YoYoNews, I can promise you that.

I mentioned it was a family business, right? Jack Russell’s wife, Kazuyo, ran her fair share of promotions as well and was once considered one of the best yoyo players in Japan. Just from this picture I can tell her Creeper game is stronger than mine, I can guarantee that.

Kazuyo Russell

Kazuyo Russell

Brothers Ken and Riki ran the company in modern times, but as Coca-Cola’s focus shifted away from on-the-ground promotions like what Russell offered, the company wound down and the brothers pursued other interests. Although they did recently crank out those bitchin’ Daft Punk yoyos, so while Russell Promotions is quiet, it’s not completely gone.

Ken Russell, handsome in the 80s.

Ken Russell, handsome in the 80s.

Now Ken has won a long (and if you were watching it, slightly unpleasant) political battle against Teresa Sarnoff (who’s husband was the incumbent Commissioner for District 2). And once again a yoyo player rises up from the ranks and proves himself to be not just a nice guy and a great demonstrator, but someone with significantly more ambition and skills than we expected. Didn’t see it coming, but you know what? I’m not surprised.

Congratulations, Ken!

Ed Haponik – EH 2015 Release

December 23, 2015 By YoYoNews

It’s that time again…another year, another glorious special edition wooden yoyo from SPYY x TMBR x YoYoExpert to celebrate everyone’s favorite fixie sage, Ed Haponik! Check out the latest video from Ed and a full description of the yoyo below. YoYoExpert still has a few in stock, but once they’re gone…they’re gone.

In 2012, SPYY team member Ed Haponik took a one year oath to play only a single fixed axle, wooden yo-yo. It was a custom design from SPYY who sponsored him at the time. He completed this goal as of 12/31/12 and documented his efforts on 365yoyotricks.com and in several of his clip videos. Ever since Ed has truly helped to inspire a resurgence in fixed axle play!

In 2015 things have changed. SPYY is no longer around has just re-entered the game with a new Titanium Yo-Yo and Ed is still throwing the best fixed axle tricks around via his Instagram page!

In hopes of continuing this amazing story we decided to approach Ed, SPYY, & TMBR. And again this year, all agreed the story and message behind this great yo-yo needs to live on. The legendary yo-yo he used, The EH, is now re-envisioned once again and available in a limited run.

This year, the limited EH is crafted from WHITE oak. This wood offers a beautiful tight grain that isn’t too porous with an excellent density and smoother feel to the touch. This newest version also comes with one of the coolest axle systems out there – The TMBR Wood Thread Axles! Hand carved by Colin Leland, you will not find anything else like these on the market! After spending some time with the new 2015 EH, Ed thinks it’s the perfect fixed axle yo-yo for tricks like stalls, kickflips, varials, and lunar landings!

The 2015 ‘EH’ is limited to 96 pieces and will not be reproduced. Each EH comes packaged with a special signed note from Ed and one side of the yo-yo features the EH logo engraved with the other left untouched to give it a simple clean look. Play Simply Our Friends!

Start Your Fixed Axle Journey With Tutorials from Ed Haponik HERE!

This post sponsored by YoYoExpert.

Goodbye, YoYoJam

December 17, 2015 By Steve Brown

We are sad to announce that YoYoJam is officially closing their doors on December 30th, 2015. And while they certainly slowed down tremendously in recent years, I’m still really sad to see them go. I’ve always been a huge fan of the risks they’ve taken on design (even if I’ve never been a fan of their art and packaging, ha ha), and it can truly be said that YoYoJam was one-of-a-kind, in an industry that almost prides itself on recycling ideas. From the SpinFaktor (hybrid metal/plastic) to the MiniJam; from the Ben Jammin’ (rubber bodied loopers!) to the Aquarius (first truly popular offstring yoyo), YoYoJam has always either been at the forefront of yoyo design or failed spectacularly on their way there, and I’ve loved watching every minute of it. YoYoJam owner and founder Dale Bell is truly a tinkerer of the first order, someone who is never more at peace than when he’s chasing a new idea. He’s a good guy, he’s always been terribly kind to me (even when I was unbearable), and I’m damn sad to see him go.

But hey…it was one hell of a run. To Dale, Valerie, and everyone else who helped make YoYoJam the company that it was, I would like to thank you on behalf of the entire yoyo industry and community. You folks sure kept it interesting, and we were better off for your contributions.

Check out the official company press release below, and if you were on the fence about picking up anything from their current product line…now is the time.

For nearly 17 years YoYoJam has provided patents that revolutionized the industry, designs that changed the direction of modern yoyo play, products used by multiple World Champions and National Champions from all across the globe, and a team that has included some of the most incredible players and innovators in the industry.

But on December 31, 2015 YoYoJam® will officially close it doors forever bringing an end to a legendary brand, a legendary team, and perhaps one of the most influential companies in modern yo-yoing.

The decision did not come easily. However, company owner and chief design engineer Dale Bell has suffered from very poor health over the last several years. Doctors have advised him to avoid stress as much as possible. So Dale has made the difficult decision to close the company that he has put his whole heart into building. He is looking forward to just relaxing and enjoying retirement with his dog, Billy.

Dale’s daughter, Valerie Aaron (Vice President of the company) stated “This decision has not come easily – it is truly the end of an era for our family and for the team that has become part of our family. We thank everyone who has been a part the brand – we appreciate you and will miss you all.”

YoYoJam will be liquidating inventory for the remainder of the month. The official last day of business will be December 30, 2015.

YoYo Drop C3yoyodesign Railgun & Imagine Breaker

December 11, 2015 By Johnny Le

C3YoYoDesign took to social media to get constructive criticism on their yoyos and it ended with them coming out with two of the great looking yoyos! After reviewing and studying comments and contests, C3YoYoDesign brings to life the Railgun & Imagine Breaker! They will both be starting at $40 USD for solid colors.

On 4th November 2015, Simpson wrote a post in “YoYo BST & Talk” asking for comments on C3 products. We got lots of constructive comments and the comment appear most is “C3 only design BORING V SHAPE yoyos”. We can’t say enough Thank You for all the comments!!!!!! After studying all the comments, we have an internal meeting about our future design direction immediately. And we come up with Two new designs: “Railgun” and “Imagine Breaker”

— About “Railgun” —
At the same time, V-shape yoyo probably is the expertise of C3. We are not leaving this field. “Railgun” is using our flagship model “Krown.st” as reference. We try even harder to push the limit with “Railgun” to recreate the similar feeling with mono-metal design. So we come up with these:

1) Speedy with good control
2) Powerful spin
3) Light weight in spec but play heavier that the spec value. This is good for long time practice especially Japanese players. Less the weight, less the shoulder stress.
4) Good amount of rim weight to achieve pt.1,2,3 = V-Shape!

Railgun Specs:

Weight: 63.6 g
Diameter: 56.17 mm
Width: 43.79 mm
Bearing Size: Size C .250 x .500 x .187 in
Gap Type: Fixed
Response: C3 slim pad

— About “Imagine Breaker” —
We are good at designing V-shape yoyos. No doubt, this probably is our comfort zone. But in these 6 years, C3 also released some rare shape yoyos like “Master Galaxy” and “Teleport”. We are capable to design different yoyos rather than just V-shape. Spending a week to watch WYYC freestyles who are non-asian style players. We concluded to design a yoyo which needs to be:

1) Solid feeling and still able to accelerate.
2) Good spin time.
3) Good enough binding power for 10-15secs combo but not too strong like holding a beast back.
4) Easy to do rejection tricks.
5) Sand-blasted surface
6) Last but not least, this must not be a V-shape yoyo because of the weight distribution.

Imagine Breaker Specs:

Weight: 67.6 g
Diameter: 56.16 mm
Width: 42.96 mm
Bearing Size: Size C .250 x .500 x .187 in
Gap Type: Fixed
Response: C3 slim pad

Keiran Cooper Joins Recess Intl

December 9, 2015 By Steve Brown

Recess has been building themselves a hell of a team of fresh young talent, and the latest to be added to the roster is Keiran Cooper! Keiran is a fantastic yoyo player and has really been doing some great video work, so he’s a solid addition to the roster for Recess. Expect to see their video game get upped.

Congrats to Keiran and Recess!

We Are Throwers – Trailer #2

December 8, 2015 By Steve Brown

Filmmaker Piotrek Smietana has released the second trailer for his in-progress documentary about yoyoing, We Are Throwers. Looks like Piotrek has been having fun with his drone!

Piotrek and I are working on a proper cinematic premiere of the film at the 2016 World YoYo Contest…we’ll announce details once they are confirmed!