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.