Bowl Mg
The Bowl Series needs no introduction. It is the most popular RSO range to date. Since the release of the original titanium Bowl in August 2018, there are now nearly 800 Bowls in their various iterations in the yo-yo community.
Its simple yet versatile structure sets the Bowl apart, allowing me to experiment with different metal alloys without the limitations of Side Effects, bimetal rings, or extreme weight distribution. Except for Bowl 303, the formula for the Bowl Series is elegantly straightforward – proportionally adjust the thickness of the walls of its predecessor based on their densities, fine-tune the curves and angles, and it’s ready to go.
I’ve never explicitly mentioned this before, but the goal of the Bowl Series was never to create yo-yos with identical playfeels. Instead, it was to produce visually similar designs using different materials to create a diverse range of play experiences. As a result, each Bowl may look similar to the others, but they are uniquely crafted to deliver contrasting playfeels.
MAGNESIUM IS FOREVER
Let’s start by addressing the proverbial elephant in the room. Some have questioned the use of magnesium for yo-yos, as it’s only slightly denser than delrin (1.8 vs 1.4 g/cm3). On the surface, it may seem like a no-brainer to opt for delrin instead. However, it’s not quite that simple.
A delrin Bowl simply wouldn’t have the same look and feel of a Bowl. Achieving adequate spin times would require a metal insert to form the bearing seat. We had Crucial SPR spacers in the past, but they wouldn’t hold up against today’s yo-yos. Nowadays, most delrin yo-yos incorporate a metal nipple/hub, usually made of anodized aluminum. Atmos Projects has cleverly tried to mask the metal hub with a machined delrin cap with the Snowberry, but it’s impossible to achieve the Bowl’s signature clean bump at the hub area with this method.
But it’s not just about aesthetics – magnesium offers a wholly different playfeel compared to delrin. It’s like holding a piece of expensive pottery with all the physical properties of a metal, making magnesium an exceptionally unique material. Plus, when tapped on or in contact with the string, a magnesium yo-yo emits a high-pitched “ting” of a typical metal yo-yo that sets it apart from its delrin counterparts. You could quickly tell them apart even if blindfolded.
Injection-moulded polycarbonate would help maintain the Bowl’s sleek design, but it’s about a third less dense (1.2g/cm3) and feels significantly cheaper than delrin. Polycarbonate yo-yos I own tend to get tossed into random storage boxes and lack the collectable factor, unlike their higher-end counterparts.
Bowl Mg is a stunning yo-yo that beckons to be held. Its exquisite, almost white/light grey matte finish is a sight to behold, unlike anything you’ll find on other metal alloys. Unlike the shiny, subpar feel of white powder-coated aluminum yo-yos, the Bowl Mg’s finish is akin to the revered Yoyofriends Moon Rock finish – I don’t own any of Yoyofriends’ yo-yos, but the Bowl Mg appears to be just a hair closer to white than the Moon Rock aluminum ones.
But it’s not just a pretty face – the magic happens when you start throwing it. This yo-yo’s playfeel is nothing short of nimble and airy. The weight is evenly distributed thanks to magnesium’s low density, giving it a distinct, almost “fluffy” movement signature on the string and impressive hang time. It’s like playing with a yo-yo made of marshmallows or helium – I even tried levitating it with my mind, but my skills have yet to master that feat.
Bowl Mg comes with CLYW/G-grip sized Landing Pads that provide some notable benefits. These pads are wider in diameter, allowing for greater string contact surface area and consequently more momentum and a longer spin time. However, compared to standard 19mm pads, they are also thicker, requiring additional space at the center of the yo-yo to fit them in. Thankfully, the low density of magnesium provides ample material for accommodating these pads.
ON CLOUD NINE
Players will be intrigued by the nuances that distinguish the various Bowls available. Among the stainless steel, titanium, 7068 aluminum, and magnesium options, their respective densities are 7.65, 4.51, 2.81, and 1.8g/cm3, with magnesium being the least dense.
Although Bowls do not fall under the category of rim-weighted yo-yos, the titanium Bowl boasts the most significant rim weight, while the Bowl 303 exhibits the most center weight. The Bowl 7068 sits between the titanium and 303, and the Bowl Mg falls between the 7068 and titanium options. It’s important to note that there were some deviations from the Bowl formula for the 303, as the high density of stainless steel posed challenges in proportionally thinning down the walls of the yo-yo, compared to the titanium and 7068 aluminum counterparts.
The weighting spectrum of the Bowls is best represented visually below:
The weight distribution of the 303 is noticeably different from the rest, with the Ti not being its direct opposite. In contrast, the Mg feels more similar to the Ti than the 303 due to its more “homogeneous” weight distribution.
Aesthetics and playfeel are two facets that set the 303 and Mg apart. If one were to draw an analogy to describe their movement signature, the Mg could be likened to a featherweight helium-filled balloon, while the 303 resembles a substantial water-filled balloon. The Mg flits about with ease, dancing with the slightest nudge, and conveying a sense of weightlessness. In contrast, the 303 bounces around with a more deliberate pace and weightier sensation, requiring a more conscious tug to guide it.
The differences in density and weight distribution give each Bowl a distinct performance characteristic, and examining these distinctions can assist you in discovering the ideal Bowl that matches your yo-yo preferences. During a recent visit by Reuben from Atmos Projects, he tested all the versions of the Bowl and concluded that Mg and Ti, both of which he now owns, were his preferred choices. Shimon Osada, an RSO collector to whom I sent a Mg prototype, favors the 303 but frequently uses his Mg as an alternative. I am sure other players will have contrasting viewpoints, as I personally find it difficult to pinpoint my favorite one – they are all my babies.
BACK TO ORIGINS
The arrival of the Bowl Mg signifies the culmination of the Bowl’s journey, bringing it full circle. It bears a striking resemblance to the I Love YoYo (ILYY) 2WEI, which was the main inspiration for the Bowl series. I hold the 2WEI in high regard and am fortunate to possess all iterations, including the original grey and updated blue and green models. However, despite the similarities in appearance, the Mg and 2WEI differ significantly in their playfeel. Depending on the production run, the 2WEI weighs between 67-69g.
DITTO
The Bowl Mg is not without its flaws. The problem with raw magnesium is that it oxidizes very quickly and poses a challenge during the anodization process. Regrettably, my machinist was unwilling to divulge the techniques required to attain the ideal coating for magnesium yo-yos.
I was particularly struck by the varying surface graininess of the Bowl Mg halves. It took significant time to meticulously match halves with comparable textures. Roughly one-fifth of the run boasted a stony, grainy texture akin to the ILYY candy blast (I am naming this finish “Rambo”), while the remaining majority possessed a smooth and velvety feel reminiscent of blasted aluminum yo-yos. It’s worth noting that the velvety finish ones also have small grainy patches that can only be detected when held in hand and are not discernible visually. I would be giving customers an option to choose either finish, but the velvet one is the “standard”.
Except for General-Yo’s Magnum, Kyle Weems’ Death Robot Mg, and Yoyofriends’ Cloudstrike, I believe I have collected the majority of magnesium yo-yos currently available on the market. This comprehensive collection allows me to compare and contrast the Bowl Mg with magnesium yo-yos from various other brands. One should note that all of the yo-yos in my possession are A-grades and were purchased either directly from the manufacturer or through authorized retailers.
One thing for sure is that Bowl Mg does not feel as smooth as the surface of the Freehand Mg. Despite its appearance of uneven bumps and ridges, the surface of the Freehand Mg is exceptionally smooth to the touch.
Turning Point, a company renowned for their rigorous quality control, sets the benchmark for magnesium yo-yos. They have released more magnesium yo-yos than any other company worldwide. It is common to observe black speckles on Turning Point’s magnesium yo-yos.
Though present, the Bowl Mg’s black speckles are similar in subtlety, if not less visible than those found on Turning Point’s magnesium yo-yos. The speckles are not visible in the images of the Bowl Mg above since capturing them with a camera requires a focused effort. Additionally, the Bowl Mg’s white shade is similar to that of Turning Point’s magnesium yo-yos.
One of my favourite yo-yos in the collection, the sOMEThING Anglam MGSS, is similarly affected.
Although the imperfections mentioned above may catch one’s eye, they are far from diminishing the allure of the stunning white aesthetic that magnesium yo-yos exude. I am happy that the finish on the Bowl Mg is on par with the industrial standard.
ART BY ATILA
ATILA is the mastermind behind the artwork, showcasing RSO’s beloved sloth with a bowl cut, none other than Owen, who has been prominently featured on previous full-sized Bowl releases. In this latest iteration, Owen has taken on the guise of Rambo in a dense jungle landscape, brandishing a formidable machine gun (“Mg”) as he embarks on a clandestine mission.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX
RSO SPECIAL FORCES ENAMEL PIN
TOP SECRET MAP Certificate of AUTHENTICITY
A PAIR OF CLYW SLIM / G-GRIP SIZE TYPE 50 RSO LANDING PADS
RED STRING
