Starting in late April of 2025, the Yoyo Archive began to put out its printable zines.
Here are the instructions for using the Print and Fold versions:
Download the Print-and-Fold Edition.
Download the Print-and-Fold Edition.
Download the Print-and-Fold Edition.
The「Bandalo:re」by Bandlore is an odd little yo-yo. Its width is larger than its diameter, it’s capped, and overall, it’s kinda shaped like a doorknob. Being a fan of odd little yo-yos, I couldn’t wait to give it throw.
Bandalore is a fairly new company, and the「Bandalo:re」is their flagship yo-yo. The build quality of the yo-yo is damn fine, and it feels great in the hand. The weight is average for a modern yo-yo, coming in at 65g, but damn if it doesn’t feel much heaver when you throw it.
It’s like a rock tied to a string.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing, though. Even though the「Bandalo:re」feels extremely heavy, it remains fairly maneuverable. It’s not going to win any competitions, but it certainly may win some hearts with its satisfying binds and solid “thunk” when it returns to a player’s hand. This yo-yo feels like it’s made specifically for the fun factor, and for people who appreciate something a bit different in their collection. It’s outside the norm, and that’s a great thing.
I mean, it can still handle most of what you can throw at it.
If you can still find a「Bandalo:re」somewhere, snag it. It’s a ton of fun, and will quite possibly be one of the most unique throws you own. Slap a counterweight on it for some freehand play, and it’s sure to put a smile on your face.
The Tengu is the latest Sengoku throw, and the first monometal M-shaped yo-yo they have released. It also features a ”hyper-matte” finish that they claim delivers a “one-of-a-kind tactile experience.”
Well, it’s certainly one-of-a kind.
I tried hard to like the Tengu. I did. I loved the shape, the wide catch zone, and the weight. Overall, it seems like a great yo-yo. The problem for me is the ”hyper-matte” finish. It feels like a chalkboard in my hand, and my string kept snagging on the finish, causing the yo-yo to respond in the middle of tricks.
Some people may dig the finish. Some people may have more skill and can keep the yo-yo from snagging on the string as much as I did. Unfortunately, it was a real issue for me to the point where I can’t even stand to play it at all.
While the Tengu may not be for me, it’s gotten me interested in Sengoku’s other M-shaped yo-yos, the Samurai and the Shinobi. They’re a bit pricier, but they don’t have the skin-crawling “hyper-matte” finish.
MK1 and Spinworthy recently teamed up again to make the Plasm, a polycarbonate version of the RBC. This new version of the much-loved throw features a tweaked design that works better with plastic and is available in a range of cool, translucent colors. I was lucky enough to have MK1 send me one to put through its paces, and I can say that this yo-yo is an instant classic.
I’m going to preface this review with the fact that, unlike many, I am not a big fan of the RBC. It’s a beautiful throw, but I couldn’t quite figure out where it “fit” as a yo-yo. Unlike the wooden Blood Cell, a Spinworthy original, the RBC wasn’t made for fixed-axle play. It also felt quite awkward as a 1A responsive yo-yo. Again, I’m in the minority here, but other than how cool it looked, the RBC just wasn’t for me.
The Plasm is a completely different story.
I could immediately tell upon my first few throws that this yo-yo is far more capable. The catch zone is a bit larger, the shape a bit more forgiving, and it plays both 0A and 1A styles beautifully. It’s super comfortable in the hand and has a wonderfully satisfying response. You can feel the seam of the cap more than you can on the RBC, but it is by no means a problem or a distraction. The changes MK1 and Spinworthy made to take the RBC into the realm of plastic made a world of difference in how playable the yo-yo is.
Whether I’m Makin Da Zines or Skinning the Gerbil, the Plasm handles it all with ease and comfort.
Sengoku Yoyos recently sent me a Tengu to review, and to my surprise, also included a Shingen in the box. I immediately set to playing with my brand-new Tengu and left the Shingen off to the side because it looked a bit boring to me. The shape was very unassuming, and the engraving was not very eye-catching. Eventually I strung it up so I could prep for this review.
I was caught completely by surprise by this throw.
Made from 7175 aluminum, which allows for thinner machining in the body, the Shingen focuses as much weight as possible on the rims. The addition of stainless steel inner rings further increases the rim weight, making for an extremely stable yo-yo. The unassuming V shape of the yo-yo makes a bit more sense, pushing most of the material to the edges of the throw.
The Shingen is a powerhouse. It’s smooth, quiet, stable, and incredibly capable. It may not look like much, but under the unassuming veneer is a yo-yo that screams performance. Not only that, but the 7175 aluminum is incredibly durable, making it extremely ding-resistant, meaning you can spend more time being a bit more daring with the Shingen without worrying about damaging it.
The Sengoku Shingen has quickly risen to my top 5 yo-yos of all time. I’m glad I took the time to put it through its paces.