Throw-Yo Threads’ first strings produced. These strings were made of 100% polyester and came in 3 different varieties:
Filtered Potions
These strings were made of spun polyester and were wound tightly. They did not use pretwisted strands, and could be hard to string up on a yo-yo.
Semi-Filtered Potions
These strings were made of a blend of spun polyester and trilobal polyester and were wound tightly. They did not use pretwisted strands, and could be hard to string up on a yo-yo.
Unfiltered Potions
These strings were made of trilobal polyester and were wound tightly. They did not use pretwisted strands, and could be hard to string up on a yo-yo.
“If we had to point at the weirdest yoyo we made to date, it would undoubtedly be the PYBIT. Its super bulky can-like shape made it stand out of the organic shapes or standard V-profile swamp of its time.
With it being so extreme and experimental, we only made a handful of these specimens. They became highly sought after by collectors. Voices pleading for a re-run became louder and louder over the years.
Right from the beginning we knew, it cannot simply be a re-run of the exact same design. We wanted something even more unusual than the original design. Keeping the maxim dialed to ‘bonkers’, we thought:
“Why not make a bimetal version, but without adding a second metal?” – “That does not make any sense!” “Perfect!”
Out came the Mango PYBIT!
The new PYBIT for 2021 features a bi-7068 aluminum construction with a slick black body and fruity mango gloss rings for extra mojo. In addition, we widened the catch zone to allow for easier play. For the first time, PYBIT 2021 now features the beloved ILYY-dimple horn.”
Run #1
Release: April 2011 Diameter: 52mm Width: 47.5mm Weight: 67g Bearing: L Response: 15x22x2 pads
The first production run of the PYBIT had 10 units in a blue colorway with a Candodize finish.
Special #1
Release: July 2012 Diameter: 52mm Width: 47.5mm Weight: 67g Bearing: L Response: 15x22x2 pads
The Special #1 run of the PYBIT had 8 units in an orange colorway with a Candodize finish.
Run #2
Release: March 2021 Diameter: 52.75mm Width: 52.75mm Weight: 66g Bearing: C Response: 14x19x1.2 pads
The second production run of the PYBIT had 52 units in a black/mango colorway with a Soda Blast finish.
RSO proudly celebrates its fifth anniversary! Over the past half-decade, RSO has had the distinguished honor of collaborating with some of the most illustrious individuals in the realm of yo-yos. These luminaries include the legendary Sonny Patrick, the remarkable duo Frank and Dom of ILoveYoYo (ILYY), the esteemed Dr. Tom Kuhn, the visionary Brad Countryman, the ingenious Paul Yath, and the iconic Doctor Popular. Creations such as the YWETi (a titanium Side Effects [SE] yo-yo), Doombot (a titanium-brass bimetal yo-yo), Gravity (a titanium SE yo-yo with caps), and Droid (a titanium bimetal Side Effects yo-yo) were pioneering models of the yo-niverse.
On this RSO’s fifth anniversary, it is only fitting to unveil a special edition of “The Bowl,” the yo-yo that initiated RSO’s extraordinary journey into the world of yo-yos on 30 August 2018. Let us reflect upon the events of that remarkable year.
The Bowl marked my venture into yo-yo design, characterized by its simplistic yet elegantly machinable shape, comprising only of arcs. Two compelling reasons dictated the choice of this design. Firstly, I lacked proficiency with CAD software, with Fusion360 being my only tool at the time, as opposed to the more feature packed AutoCAD I utilize today. Secondly, we aspired to craft the yo-yo from titanium, a novel material in the realm of yo-yos at that time, and machinists were somewhat averse to undertaking risky designs. Titanium has since become a staple in yo-yo manufacturing.
Approximately fifteen individuals from the Yo-Yo BST & Talk Facebook group were assembled to collaborate on this yo-yo. While I did not conceive the initial CAD, I undertook the pivotal task of refining it, particularly at the hub and rim, to reach the ultimate CAD. The original CAD featured an eccentric orb-shaped protrusion at the hub, which, through subsequent revisions, was eliminated, and replaced with a few cuts within the hub. Playful monikers such as “The Dong” and “Toilet Bowl” were thrown about during this creative process.
Gradually, I assumed full control over the CAD. The final iteration showcased a sleek bump at the hub, though less conspicuous, strikingly reminiscent of the design elements that ILYY had incorporated into many of their earlier yo-yos. Determining the aesthetically optimal size for this bump was, without a doubt, the most challenging aspect of the CAD design process. Furthermore, the rims were rounded, eschewing any trace of straight lines in the ultimate rendition of The Bowl.
We bypassed the customary prototype phase, proceeding directly to full-scale production. I was exhilarated at the arrival of the consignment of thirty meticulously bubble wrapped yo-yos crafted by Fenghuida Precision Machining (FPM). The playfeel of the yo-yo was nothing short of heavenly, with a perfect balance of weightiness and float. Following the distribution of the yo-yos to the stakeholders of the project, the few dozen remaining were made available for sale. Unexpectedly, they were snatched up in an instant.
Jumping ahead five years, there have been multiple iterations of The Bowl in different editions, materials, and sizes. The full-sized titanium variant has remained the crown jewel, fervently sought after by enthusiasts worldwide.
Excluding B grades, a mere 123 full-sized titanium Bowls are in circulation from the previous OG, Japan Edition, and Udon Edition production runs. With this run of approximately 50 Fifth Anniversary Sakura Edition Bowls, we aim to broaden the opportunity for more players to experience The Bowl.
These are available in two exquisite colors – a captivating rose gold and a pristine clear finish. The rose gold finish was previously done on the non-SE YWETi, while the clear finish looks and feels almost identical to the clear Bowl 7068. Bear in mind that owing to the blasted finish, these yo-yos may exhibit a slightly higher susceptibility to fingerprints when compared to a polished finish.
The Sakura Edition Bowl weighs approximately 1g lighter than its predecessors, tipping the scales at 62.7 grams. Despite the labor-intensive nature of the process, these yo-yos will feature engraved serial numbers.
A select collector’s piece engraved with the words “5 YEARS” and an exquisite sakura emblem on the opposite half will be available.
This narrative would be incomplete without delving into the backstory of The Bowl’s artwork, skillfully crafted by Jason Week. During our brainstorming sessions, we ultimately converged on two main concepts. The first concept was a sloth, adorned with a distinctive bowl cut hairstyle, relishing a bowl of ramen, while the second concept featured a startled customer reacting to an unexpected bowl cut received from his barber. We eventually brought the first concept to life, with the second concept later used for Bowl 7068. The ramen-inspired artwork was then later further refined with introduction of the Japan Edition and Udon Edition Bowls.
In keeping with the ramen theme, I made it a point to carry the color test prototype of the Japan Edition Bowl to all of my ramen outings in Tokyo in 2019.
SONY DSC
Due to resource constraints, stickers were printed and affixed to paper boxes for the OG Bowl. The Sakura Edition Bowl will come in a fully printed die-cut box, in line with the more recent RSO releases, promising an even more impressive unboxing experience. ATILA, a distinguished artist and longtime collaborator, was tasked with adding his magical touch to the artwork and accessories.
“From all the designs and crazy ideas we devised in our yoyo journey, one project has always stood out as the unholy mother of insanity: the DR3I
Initially planned for a 2017 release, we had to postpone the release due to the immense manufacturing difficulties that spawn from this most ambitious construction. Being a full blown tri-metal yoyo, it was clear from the start the DR3I will require all skills and manufacturing brilliance in our machinists arsenal…and then some.
At that time, we were not able to produce more than three prototypes that fulfilled our performance requirements at reasonable cost. As mitigation, we went from tri-metal to tri-material and came up with the DR3I.ii that replaced the titanium body with a polycarbonate shell. This change allowed us to produce a few more for a mini-run. But we knew, only the real deal with its titanium body will eventually fill the void the initial concept idea created in our minds.
Now at the end of 2021, four years later and with a lot more experience and confidence in our bags, we gave this another try. Countless obstacles during production from machining, fitting and selection had to be overcome but we kept pushing forward only thinking about the ultimate target: DR3I must live! After sky-high mountains of scrap material and vast fields of shattered dreams, 23 pieces persevered. We are finally able to release our opus magnum to the world!
Here it is, the killer of lifespans and crusher of spirits: DR3I”
“The yoyo features a meticulously designed titanium body for maximum strength yet minimal weight. The DR3I’s power is provided by massive brass rings with a carefully shaped wave that complements the overall design and allows for exact rim weight placement. The inner cup is made of 7068 aluminum and inherits its anti-cone shape from the amazing Abyss. Thanks to the hollow construction, the angle of the anti-cone could be increased which yields even better finger spin performance. When spinning it combines the classic sounds of thin titanium and old-school throws with caps. The DR3I is a high-rpm yoyo with a satisfying oomph when binding.
The ‘Dinosalat’ anodization of the aluminum cup uses squeezed dinosaurs spiced with pirate-boot-matured Scotch. The resulting colors vary depending on the species of the used saurian making every DR3I unique.”
Prototype #1
Release: May 2017 Diameter: 54mm Width: 39mm Weight: 62.50g Bearing: C Response: 15x22x2 pads
The first prototype, years ahead of the first production run, had 3 units in a Polished Raw/Splash colorway.
