Dressel Designs dropped the Musubi and Musubi SS at the same time, and I’ll be honest, my first instinct was to wonder if one was just a novelty version of the other. A simultaneous dual release of the same shape in two different materials can feel like a cash grab. Spending time with both quickly put that concern to rest.
The Musubi
The standard Musubi is an interesting throw. Dressel Designs took a 7075 aluminum body and stuffed a polycarbonate ring between the double rims, a clear nod to the Hawaiian snack it’s named after. Visually, it’s akin a plastic throw. On the string, it plays with a soft, bouncy float that I find incredibly easy to enjoy. It’s the kind of yo-yo you pick up without thinking too hard about it. It has plenty of power for complex tech, but it never feels like it’s working hard. The whole thing just moves pleasantly through whatever you throw at it.
The Musubi SS
The SS is a different animal entirely, despite sharing a similar design. It’s smaller, denser, and immediately communicates that through every throw. Where the standard Musubi floats, the SS drives. It hits the end of the string with real authority and spins with a smooth, resonant hum that feels distinctly steel. What surprised me most was how maneuverable it is. Given its weight distribution, I expected it to feel sluggish through direction changes, but it pushes through fast combinations without hesitation. It doesn’t drag you down. If anything, it pulls you forward. It may be one of the best releases of 2026 so far.
Do You Need Both?
Yes. And I say that as someone who went in assuming I probably didn’t. The Musubi and Musubi SS share DNA (don’t DNA kids, learn more awesome tricks!), but they play like completely different animals. The standard is a comfortable, well-rounded daily carry that suits just about any session. The SS is built for speed and power, and it delivers. They complement each other in a way that dual releases rarely manage to pull off.
Final Thoughts
Dressel Designs has an awesome set of fraternal twins here. Both throws bridge aesthetics and performance in their own way, and neither one feels like an afterthought. Whether you reach for the floaty comfort of the standard Musubi or the dense, driven feel of the SS, you’re getting something that was clearly well crafted.