One Drop Dingo Gen 2 Release
One Drop is releasing the Dingo Gen 2 on December 12, 2024 for $66.
You can find more information about the Dingo Gen 2 on its Archive page.
A Look at the Layer Infinity Classic
Inspired by vintage Russel yo-yos, Layer Infinity’s Classic is a design I’ve only seen, yet never played until now. Using Kasm guts, the Classic modernizes things and lets players throw modern 0a or use bearing locks for fixed-axle play. Since the whole thing can be taken apart, players can swap cap colors to mix and match to their heart’s content.
I’ve only recently started playing with 3D-printed yo-yos, and so far I’ve been pretty impressed with the quality obtained using the technology. Layer Infinity, however, takes things to the next level. The Classic feels like a professionally manufactured throw, with a solid feel, snappy response, and a comfortable 51g weight.
While throwing standard Gravity Pulls, Forward Passes, and Breakaways, the Classic excels with an almost instant response. Looping is very smooth, but take my word here with a grain of salt as I’m not a 2a player. With a lighter toss, the Classic sleeps well, but still responds nicely for stalls, though catching it is a bit trickier due to the gap width and shape. That being said, I was able to perform a few Kick Flips with it. I’m proud of myself for that. Don’t diminish my accomplishments.
The Classic is a throwback to yo-yos that I don’t remember playing with as a child; it certainly invokes a nostalgic feel when playing it, especially if you’re using the Jazz colorway, a combination suggested to Layer Infinity by the Yoyo Boomers Club. It’s a great yo-yo to mindlessly throw down and pull up. I use it on walks, or while on conference calls for work. I’ve attempted a bit more 0a play with it, but I’m just not up to snuff to pull it off with much success.
Don’t let the fact that this throw is 3D-printed discourage you from trying it. It’s a ton of fun, built well, and it’s just as deserving in a collection as any other like it.
MK1 Announces Lord of the Rings Licensed Yo-yo
Ring Bearer Release Date
The Ring Bearer will be released on MK1’s website at 7 p.m. EST on December 6, 2024. MK1 has said 111 numbered One Ring colorway Ring Bearers will be available on release.
EDIT: Dec 6, 2024:
The last two colorways of the Ring-Bearer have been announced:
Elfstone and Arkenstone.
“These aren’t rings, but the Arkenstone is a big plot point (and a big gemstone) in the Hobbit, and the Elfstone is green so I love it automatically.”
EDIT Dec 3-5, 2024:
MK1 has released a new picture of the Ring Bearer with the throw’s stats, as well as a peek at some of the upcoming colorways.
Specs:
- 7075 Aluminum + SS Rings
- Weight: 63.3g
- Diameter: 55.9mm
- Width: 46.3mm
- Gap Width: ~4.5mm
- Bearing: C
- Response: 19mm pads
- Axle: M4x8mm
Colorways:
- The One Ring – Black w/Gold Rims (confirmed)
- Vilya – Blue w/Gold Rims (confirmed) – Based off of, the ring that eventually found its way to Elrond.
- Narya – Red w/Gold Rims (confirmed) – First given to Círdan the shipwright, and later, to Gandalf, who carried it during the Third Age.
- Nenya – Silver (confirmed) – Given to Galadriel by Celebrimbor
- UNSeen – Black (confirmed) – Different Elvish inscription on the yo-yo
- Smaug – Red w/Gold Ring (confirmed) – YoYoExpert exclusive with Smaug engraved in the cup
The Box
Mark also shared that the boxes for the Ring Bearer are similar to MK1’s hexagonal boxes, but are designed to look like Hobbit Holes:
Original Post
MK1 has just announced a licensed Lord of the Rings yo-yo, the Ring Bearer™.
Here’s the announcement from Mark at MK1, originally posted on the YYE Forums:
“Back in early ’23 I had what I thought was a really straightforward idea to engrave the ring inscription from Lord of the Rings on a bimetal yoyo design that I had been sitting on for a bit. I called up my Dad (a big Tolkien fan and avid reader) to chat about this, and he reminded me of the reality of trademarks – but he also recommended contacting the licensor to ask for permission. Is it really that easy, I thought.
I looked up the best licensing contact for my proposed use and found one for Middle-earth Enterprises. I sent them an email and waited – for many weeks – until I got the response I was hoping for. This was, however, only the beginning of my adventure!
It’s now quite clearly almost 2 years after “early ’23” so I’d like to talk about everything that went into this amazing project, the Ring-Bearer.
If you aren’t familiar with the behind-the-scenes of licensed products, there’s a lot that needs to happen. Contracts, insurance, brand assurance, approvals. On top of that, I wanted to make this a big release, with extra colorways, cool box art, a mini-poster – the works. All of this extra stuff will get revealed soon, as I’m waiting for the shipment to arrive.
This will be as far as I can tell the first officially licensed Lord of the Rings yo-yo.
I’d like to also give a huge shout-out to my team & all the other people who helped make this happen, especially Mag who made the packaging artwork and many of the engravings for other colorways.
Specs and more colorways to come soon! There’s a whole lot more to show off.”
The Lord of the Rings™ and the characters, items, events, and places therein are trademarks of Middle-Earth Enterprises, LLC used under license by Mk1 Yoyos LLC. All rights reserved.
2024 Toys for Tots Drive – YoYoExpert x YoYoFactory x GIBB
Once again, YoYoExpert is running its holiday Toys for Toys fundraiser. For every $10 donated, YoYoExpert, YoYoFactory, and Gibb will match it, donating 4 yo-yos to Toys for Tots.
From YoYoExpert:
“Our Toys for Tots Drive is Back!
Since 2015, thanks to an inspiring idea from our friend Gibb, we’ve been donating yo-yos to Toys for Tots, matching his contribution each year with 50-100 yo-yos. Together, we’ve made a difference, and now we’re inviting the community to join us and make an even bigger impact!
For every $10 donation, Gibb, YoYoExpert, and YoYoFactory will each match it, donating a total of 4 yo-yos (SpinStar by YoYoFactory or SnapBack by YoYoExpert).
Choose to donate publicly (and receive a thank-you in our final announcement) or anonymously. Every contribution helps brighten a child’s holiday!
Giveaway Bonus:
We’ll randomly select two lucky donors to win:
- Grand Prize: Legendary 888 Titanium Aluminum Bi-Metal Yo-Yo from YoYoFactory
- Runner-Up: $50 YoYoExpert Gift Card
Let’s make this year the biggest yet! Last day to donate is December 9th.
(Note: Donations are not shipped and do not incur shipping fees.)
Thank you for your generosity, and special thanks to Gibb and YOU for making this possible!“
Throw-Yo x Yoyo Boomers Club Incentives
For the second year now, Throw-Yo Threads is teaming up with the Yoyo Boomers Club to offer several fundraising items to assist in YoYoExpert’s toy drive. This year there are 4 holiday fundraiser items in the Throw-Yo shop where all profits are donated to YYE’s Toys for Tots drive.
A Look at Yoyo Tricks for Kids
Yoyo Tricks for Kids is a new book by Jasper Todd that walks kids through 30 different yo-yo tricks of increasing difficulty. The truth is that there are 31 tricks, as readers can scan a QR code at the end of the book linking to a tutorial on how to do the DNA; one of the most popular tricks on the internet. At the beginning of the book, a QR code leads to a £29.99 set of videos (I did not get access to these for this review) to go along with the book if that’s your jam. There are loads of videos on the net of each trick to find for free, but I understand people need to make a living.
Let’s dig in.
Right off the bat, Yoyo Tricks for Kids details different kinds of yo-yos and how kids set up their first yo-yo. From there, the book delves into the basic throws and the tricks many people are familiar with: rock the baby, walk the dog, and around the world. There are a few others in there to really get them comfortable with their yo-yo before moving onto some harder stuff. Each trick is broken down into manageable steps, with images for every step.
The book is in black and white, well laid out, and has large, clear images. Yoyo Tricks for Kids is a large-format book, making it easy to follow along with the instructions while working on new tricks. It is attractive enough to keep the attention of younger kids while containing enough content to keep older kids engaged as they progress through an increasingly difficult level of tricks. Readers who complete all the book has to offer will have a solid grasp of the world of yo-yo’ing, with enough skill to move on to even greater heights.
Any child interested in picking up a yo-yo will benefit from Yoyo Tricks for Kids. There is an overwhelming amount of yo-yo content out there, which can be intimidating for younger players. Yoyo Tricks for Kids solves this by consolidating a core set of tricks into a single volume, allowing them to learn at their own pace without digging around the internet without a solid plan. place. As of this writing, the book is only $12, which is an incredible value for what you get.
A free digital copy of Yoyo Tricks for Kids was provided free for this review by Jasper Todd