Archive for category Reviews
Doc’s Review: The Prism by Zeekio
Zeekio is a line from the fine people at YoYoSam. They also have a Kendama line called Bahama Kendama. I have had a chance to play with a few Zeekio products in the past and most have been solid purchases for the price but none have really stood out as exceptional. Recently, Mitch from YoYoSam contacted me about the Prism saying that it is a “must try” yo-yo. He was very excited, and over the last month chatted me up to get my impressions. The Prism is a new yo-yo with a new machinist and a fresh start for the Zeekio brand. Oh, did I mention it is only $40? I didn’t? Huh…..
Included:
- Polly string
Doc’s Review – The Bear vs Man Round 2 by CLYW
The Bear vs Man is a legendary yo-yo. Back in 2007, CLYW released the BVM as a signature yo-yo for Boyd. Only 37 of them were made on that first run, and were quickly snatched up by collectors. Praised for its small size and extreme playability, the BVM was an instant hit with both players and collectors. The BVM was released in many edition releases including an “Augie vs Boyd” model. Recently, CLYW announced plans to release the Bear vs Man, Round 2. It would be larger, and more aggressive. Chris was kind enough to hand one to me at Cal States.
Included:
- Box
- Poly String
Andrews Interview / Review of The Tre by Werrd and Eric Tranton
Posted by Andrew Robinson in Interviews, Reviews on March 25th, 2013
The Tre is Eric Tranton’s signature model featuring a simplistic exterior designed for elite 3A performance. In the competitive realm of the yoyo market, this yoyo meets a common $100.00 price point, but can it stack up to other popular models that specialize in 1A play? Continue reading to catch up on the latest interview with Eric Tranton as we discuss his design.
Read the rest of this entry »
Robinson’s Review: CLYW Arctic Circle
Posted by Andrew Robinson in Reviews on February 28th, 2013
Doc’s Note: Andrew Robinson is a modern day legend in yoyoing and I am very proud to have him on the journalism team. I think we will be seeing a lot of action from Andrew as time rolls on. Here is his first review
CLYW has always been known to produce the highest quality return tops that present a unique experience with each different model. The Arctic Circle is a compilation of previous CLYW return tops with Zach Gormley as the mastermind behind the design. Can this return top maintain its charm and performance with the fusion of the most popular CLYW elements? This is where we find out.
Included with the return top is the classic 6 panel CLYW box. Each side is hand stamped in black ink with the sea, terrain, and sky of the arctic circle. Lift the tab and open the box and you’ll find the return top itself fitted with a polyester string, cradled in a paper hexagon nest with a CLYW sticker underneath.
Statistics
Diameter: 54.95 mm / 2.16 inches
Width: 43.45 mm / 1.71 inches
Gap Width: 4.05 mm / .16 inches
Weight: 66.5 grams
Bearing Size C Concave (.250 x .500 x .187)
Response: CLYW Snow Tires
Read the rest of this entry »
Francis’ Review | C3yoyodesign Alpha Crash
I was very excited to review this yo-yo. I’m a big fan of plastic yo-yos. In my opinion, plastic yo-yos can be just as good as metal ones. When I heard about C3yoyodesign’s first plastic my interest was piqued. A quick e-mail to the folks at C3yoyodesign and a couple of weeks later, the Alpha Crash was in my hands. Does C3yoyodesign’s first plastic have what it takes to be the alpha male, or does it crash and burn?
Doc & Brian H2H Review – Victory by Eternal Throw
This review session, we are going to try something different. For a while now, I thought it would be interesting to do two reviews of the same yo-yo from two different reviewers. I am excited that the first yo-yo to undergo this treatment is the Victory by Eternal Throw. Joining in our first Head to Head review is new YoYoSkills Journalism team member Brian Melford!
|
DOC’S REVIEW |
BRIAN’S REVIEW |
| Eternal Throw has recently popped up on the scene as a new yo-yo designer contracting the skilled hands at One Drop to machine. This is becoming more and more popular over the last year as big names like Anti-Yo and new names like G Squared and Eternal Throw utilize David and Shawn’s machining expertise. I was contacted by Eternal Throw about reviewing the Victory, their flagship model. The Victory is named after Victoria, Hinton’s daughter and as a nod to her awesomeness, it was released on her birthday. As a father of an awesome daughter myself, I think this is amazing on the scale of epic parenting. | I have been following the new company Eternal Throw for a little while now. I saw the Victory proto on Joseph Pallagi’s video and I knew I had a get my hands on it. The name comes from one of eternal throws founders J Free Hinton. He named it after his daughter Victoria and it released on her birthday officially. Today I review the Victory by Eternal Throw. Machined by OneDrop (awesome guys) with a custom Side Effect the Victory is a well built throw and the Eternal Throw hit a home run with this first release.
|
Comes With:
|
|
Doc’s Review | KLR by General-Yo
Whew! What a week! This weeks review session seemed like it was at least a month long! (life happens). On a positive note, we have more reviewers on staff here at YoYoSkills so you have N-Mart, Melford, Mr. J, and Francis to fill in when I get slammed with life, work, and lifework.
I think it is safe at this point to just assume that Ernie at General-Yo knows what he is doing. This guy has consistently pumped out killer design after killer design, and has even experimented in the precious metals realm that is always hit or miss. His big wins make up a list of names that reads like a champion horse pedigree. To this day, I still consider the Torrent, Ernie’s introductory design to the General-Yo brand, to be one of the best yoyos I have ever thrown. One of the latest General-Yo designs landed on my porch. The KLR. Did I let this killer into my home? Yes, yes I did.
Included:
- Sticker
- Poly String
N-Mart Review: Adegle PSG
The Plastic Sandglass, or PSG, has been around for some time now. Many of you out there have already played this plastic. Much of what I have to say in this review will not be new to many.
Adegle created a yoyo awhile back called the Sandglass. This is the plastic version. There have been a few yoyo companies that have done the same thing-design a plastic throw based off the specs of one of their popular metals. But just because these plastics are “copies” of their metal brothers, does not mean they play the same at all. Different material=Different feel.
On to the review.
Included:
- White Poly String
- Cylindrical Case
N-Mart Review: Zombie by Aero-Yo
Some things I’ve learned about zombies:
- They feel no fear, why should you?
- Use your head: cut off theirs.
- Get up the staircase, then destroy it.
- Get out of the car, get onto the bike.
- Keep moving, keep low, keep quiet, keep alert!
- No place is safe, only safer.
- The zombie may be gone, but the threat lives on.
If you follow these rules you will be safe-r.
Okay, on to the review of the Aero-Yo Zombie!
Includes:
- Metal Tin
- White Poly String
Doc’s Review | Aero-Yo Cold Metal CO2
A few years ago there was a brand called Cold Metal. I always thought their yo-yos had a really cool look and style to them. I got to try them here and there but never had a chance to own one or do a review. Then the company seemed to disappear for a while until recently, resurfacing as a line under the Aero-Yo brand. When the CO2 showed up on my doorstep, I tore into the package like a kid on Christmas day.
Included:
- Killer tin can
- Cold Metal Dog Tags
- Poly String
N-Mart Review: Sense by Yoyoskeel
Spidey Sense. Sixth Sense. Common…Sense.
This week I am reviewing the Sense by Yoyoskeel. A short history lesson about Yoyoskeel. Yoyoskeel was the first high end yoyo company of Malaysia, founded by Malaysian national champion Muhammad Shakeel Mohd Rose. Yoyoskeel has been making quality yoyos since 2010.
And here we have the Sense. Before this review the only other Yoyoskeel throw I’ve played with was the Stalker, their first release. I liked the Stalker, but wasn’t “awed” by it. The Sense has a very interesting design, and some of the approaches to the design make me a little leery but I’m hoping I’m wrong about my preconceived notions.
Here is a more in depth look at the Sense by Yoyoskeel.
Included:
- White poly string
Doc’s Re-review | The Liopleurodon 2012 by ILYY
Like all yo-yo companies, ILYY takes their popular releases and tweaks the specs to modernize the design. When I look at these new releases, I like to highlight the differences between the two models. I loved the first Liopleurodon. It was large and full bodied, and perfect for a mixture of play styles. That being said, there were a few things I would change now in retrospect. This won’t be as in depth as a full review since the differences between the 2009 model and the 2012 model are very few, but are very important.
Included:
- ILYY Red Velvet bag
- ILYY Button
- Poly String
N-Mart Review: Deadly SpINS-The Wrath
This week I am reviewing The Wrath from new company Deadly SpINS. I love seeing all these new companies! There are some amazing new designs coming out! So, who is Deadly SpINS?
In their own words: “We are a small Yoyo Manufacturer looking to provide dead smooth competition ready throws in crazy colorways with all the works + more in the extras department.”
Without further adieu, here is The Wrath, “a yoyo that plays on a rampage!”
Included:
- Three types of String Lab strings (types 1,2,&X) to match the throw
- OD 10-ball bearing
- Trifecta 10-ball bearing
- Extra CBC red pro pads slim
- Two axles,1 black and 1 black silver
- Two stickers, 1 String Lab and 1 Wrath logo
- All in a brown drawstring bag then into a clear impact resistant jar with black lid
Doc’s Review | The Trigger by YoYoJam
YoYoJam excels at making yoyos. Even more, they excel at making plastic yoyos. With a long history of fantastic plastic throws, YoYoJam has a continuously set the standard higher and higher. Many of YoYoJam’s best throws hold the signature of long term YoYoJam team member Johnny DelValle. JD’s signature throws include the Hitman, Lyn Fury, X-Con, X-ConVict, Hitman Professional, X-Con Professional and the EneMe. Chances are that one of the yo-yos on this list was in, or is in your collection. JD and YoYoJam’s latest model is the Trigger. I got a chance to try this at Bay Area Classic, was intrigued and a few months later there was one on my doorstep.
Included:
- Poly String
N-Mart Review: King Yo Star Smooth
This week I am reviewing the King Yo Star Smooth.
Let’s talk about the name “Smooth” for a minute. It’s pretty bold today to name a yoyo “smooth” don’t you think? For those who have been around yoyos for awhile, you know what smooth feels like… and you also know what smooth doesn’t feel like. To name a yoyo as such is a bold move because it has to be exactly that. If I were to produce a yoyo and name it “rock,” then you would ascertain that the yoyo would play like… a rock. Or what if I named a yoyo “Mediocre?” All I’m saying is, the Smooth better live up to its name! 
Enough of that!
Let’s get on with the review, shall we?
Includes:
- Poly String
N-Mart Review-King Yo Star Divano
King Yo Star, a yoyo company out of China, may be unfamiliar for the majority of us. King Yo Star’s designer is a guy named Kuyos, who in fact had a hand in designing the first manufactured wide throw, the Superwide by YoYoFactory. Here we have the Divano, another wide throw by designer Kuyos.
This is my first experience with anything from King Yo Star. They have a fairly decent and diverse line up, all at great price points. That said, wide throws are hit and miss for me (literally they’re very easy to hit being that the gaps are huge-I’m hilarious). Often the weight is just too much and the throw just feels like a rock at the end of the string. On the other hand, wide throws can be a joy to play with! If done properly, a wide yoyo can have great balance and spin times.
Let’s see which side of the fence the King Yo Star Divano falls.
Includes:
- Poly String
Doc’s Review | The Aware by X-Cube
I remember when Alex (Xela) Val first told me he was going to start making yoyos. He wanted to break the mold of popular yoyo shapes and designs. His first yo-yo, the Steamroller, did just that. In a public release that came before the ultra wide surge, the Steamroller was an unexpected joy that was both undersized and oversized. A few designs later brought the Zeus, featuring the now popular inner cup and gap undercut. Most recently Alex has released the Aware. I remember talking to Alex about it when he leaked me the pictures. He said it would again be different, unique, and introduce elements that are not commonly found.
Includes:
- Very cool tube box with sticker
- Poly String
N-Mart Review: YoYoJam Classic
Classic cars. Classic literature. Classic movies. Classic hairstyles.
“The word classic means something that is a perfect example of a particular style, something of lasting worth or with a timeless quality.”
Enter the YoYoJam Classic.
“A beginners yo-yo seems like a simple thing to design but the Classic is a huge achievement. The shape is large and comfortable yet angular and rim weighted. For a solid plastic yo-yo, the Classic has more rim weight then most and thanks to the secondary plastic cap the yo-yo has a solid weighted spin and incredible feel on the string. All of these are extremely important in getting long stable spin time when first starting out!,” says YYJ.
Will the Classic live up to its name? Well, that’ll be for us all to decide. Until that time, let’s take a moment to look at what the YoYoJam Classic has to offer for us today.
Included:
- White poly string
N-Mart Review-One Drop Cascade
One of my favorite bands, Horsefeathers, has a song called “Cascades.” It’s really not pertinent to this review of One Drop’s yoyo the Cascade, I just figured you’d all like to know that.
This is a yoyo that I have anticipated for some time. I had the opportunity to play a prototype (the black one that you may have seen floating around). It was nice, but it wasn’t great. A little too much center weight for my personal taste. For a wide throw, I expected something with a lot more rim weight and balance. But… when I found out that One Drop had decided to go back to the drawing board and make some minor adjustments, I was very excited to see what would emerge.
Here’s a little story about the Cascade, straight from the people at One Drop YoYos:
“It went through three different iterations. Version 1 was a source of contention here at the shop. Everyone disagreed about liking it and some vigorous debate took place. However, we did all agree that it needed changes but we were on the verge of scrapping it.
Justin “Vendetta” Lotempio was visiting us at the time and convinced us to at least try a revision. Version 2 was much improved and everyone agreed it was an awesome yo-yo that really felt and played different.
Mark Montgomery really liked it and suggested a couple of small tweaks which resulted in version 3. For this revision we smoothed out some areas of the cup and added a touch of rim weight. We went to production with version 3 and are really excited to get this beautiful yo-yo out into the world.”
In addition, the Cascade had a few objectives: wide, curvy/organic, mid-size (53 mm), and side effects.
Let’s put the Cascade to the test!
Included:
- White poly string
- Sticker
N-Mart Review-Echo by Duncan
HERE IS THE REVIEW OF THE DUNCAN ECHO… here is the review of the Duncan Echo… Duncan Echo… Echo…
Do you see what I did there?
I reviewed the Duncan Metropolis a few weeks back. And like the Metropolis, the Duncan Echo is another one of Duncan’s affordable all metals. The aim, it appears, is to offer a modern unresponsive throw at a fraction of the cost. Mission complete!
There were many good qualities to the Metropolis, but I didn’t absolutely love the Metropolis, maybe it’ll be different with the Echo. It sure looks promising! Let’s take a look!
Included:
- White poly string
- Instructions on binding and such
- Clear optional caps
Recent Comments