Burger

by | Mar 22, 2025

The following story was taken from the RSO website:

In my formative years, my family had a cherished tradition – most Sunday mornings were marked by pilgrimages to the McDonald’s nestled by East Coast Park, followed by cycling trips by the beach. I would get a Happy Meal with an accompanying toy most weekends. Those outings were the highlight of my childhood, and the mere mention of the golden arches would light up my eyes with excitement.

Burger is THE Happy Meal for RSO fans.

FINGER LOOPIN’ GOOD

Burger’s catch zone draws inspiration from the VsNYYC Ti Walker (a titanium version of the Sky Walker) a “grail” revered by yo-yo enthusiasts worldwide as one of the best yo-yos ever made. While I’ve yet to personally experience the privilege of handling or possessing a Ti Walker, my collection proudly includes all three colourways of the Ti-Vayder. The Ti-Vayder is a 2019 brainchild of codinghorror that closely emulates the Ti Walker through the marvels of 3D scanning. While not precisely identical, particularly due to a modernized response system among other changes, it bears a striking resemblance. Unlike illicit knockoffs which had been floating around on the market, the Ti-Vayder project received belated blessing from its original designer, Heath Vizier, the creator behind VsNYYC.

Fun fact: Following the launch of the Ti-Vayder, I reached out to Heath on Facebook inquiring about the possibility of a re-run of the Ti Walker in its original form. However, he told me that he had promised to never to reproduce it.

The Ti Walker is a blend of elements from V and H shaped designs. It deviates from a pure V-shaped design with the inclusion of a step in the catch zone, imparting an H-shaped aesthetic. The inclusion of this step serves to distribute weight towards the rim of the yo-yo. Some players might aptly describe its form as resembling a W shape. There are yo-yos featuring a comparable shape to the Ti Walker. The Yoyofactory Skyline closely resembles it, whereas the sOMEThING Anglam takes on a steeper design.

Cross section of the Ti-Vayder obtained from the YoYoExpert Forum (red) superimposed on a 3D render of Burger.

Burger is a “puffy” homage to the Ti Walker, reminiscent of the love handles adorning the Michelin Man (who also coincidentally resembles someone who indulges a bit too much in fast food). A more medially positioned step and pronounced curvature to the Burger catch zone transforms the overall shape of the yo-yo into an organic O-shape. The design process mirrors the delightful experience of coaxing bread dough to rise, except in yo-yo form. The Burger has a slightly smaller diameter than the Ti-Vayder, featuring a diameter of 52mm as opposed to the Ti-Vayder’s 53.5mm.

Comparing their cups, the Burger and Ti-Vayder are worlds apart. The shallow groove around the Side Effects (SE) hub is an instantly recognizable RSO design element, familiar to players who own SE releases like Gravity and Droid.

Clockwise from top left: Sushi, Gravity and Burger.

Perhaps the most crucial distinction lies in the rims of the yo-yos. The Ti-Vayder’s substantial rim weight is predominantly concentrated at the farthest edges of the rims, whereas the Burger’s is slightly more centralized, approximately 6-7mm from the outer rim, just at the groove where the rubber O ring is placed. This is the same rubber O ring that fits the Silver Bullet Titanium, Gravity and Sushi.

As of this writing, only Reuben Ng from Atmos Projects and Wayne Ngan from Layer Infinity have had the opportunity to play the production Burger. Both were assigned the task of conveying Burger’s playfeel. In comparison to the Ti-Vayder, it exhibits a less aggressive playstyle and is more responsive to changes in direction. Weighing in at just 61.5g with aluminum dome SE (in contrast to the Ti-Vayder’s 63.7g), Burger’s presence on the string feels almost “airy,” and when cradled in the hand, the yo-yo offers a sensation reminiscent of holding a fluffy bun. The larger diameter CLYW / G-grip Landing Pads give Burger a greater initial momentum on the throw.

The concentration of rim weight at this groove was achievable solely due to the presence of a single step in the catch zone, a luxury that I did not have when designing Gravity and Sushi.

The groove on Burger which accommodates the rubber O ring (red arrow), is where most of the weight is concentrated.

This design feature allowed for preservation of a rim-weighted distribution while at the same time allowed for the yo-yo to accommodate Duncan Freehand caps. Note that Burger will NOT accommodate the custom polycarbonate caps and rings that were included with Gravity and Sushi.

We note that players rarely played the Gravity or Sushi with Freehand caps. As such, Burger will not ship with a cap removal tool. However, it will be available for separate purchase if needed.

HEAVEN IN A BURGER

RSO had Burger in the oven back in October 2021, after Sushi was wrapped. Following the remarkable success of Gravity, my objective was to craft a trio of yo-yos that could be personalized with caps/rings and SE. Like the development of Sushi, the creation of Burger extended beyond the anticipated timeline due to an extensive prototyping process. Perfecting the design has been a two-year-long endeavor.

From left to right: first prototype, second bimetal prototype, third aluminium prototype, production version.

The CAD for Burger was finalized on the last week of November 2021 and the first prototypes reached me 2 weeks later. At that time, it was named Astronaut as its catch zone reminded me of the bulky space suits (I am now using this name for a different yo-yo). Entirely by coincidence, I noticed soon after that a Japanese yo-yo player (@sho1_leatheryoyoshop_fe) had independently conceived a design akin to Burger. I contacted him via Instagram, sharing an image of Burger, specifically focusing on the catch zone. To our amusement, he echoed my sentiments, acknowledging the catch zone similarities while pointing out distinct differences in other design aspects. To my knowledge, his design did not progress to the production stage. The serendipitous nature of this encounter makes it worth sharing.

The first Burger CAD was conceived on 24 November 2021. At that time, it was named Astronaut. The catch zone shown had undergone further changes – it was made rounder and the single step placed more medially – before arriving at the first prototype. This screenshot has been redacted.
A post by @sho1_leatheryoyoshop_fe on Instagram dated 22 December 2021. He had no prior knowledge of Burger (or Astronaut at that time).

Over the ensuing years, the first prototypes found their way to a few RSO customers. The general consensus was that a notable drawback of the first prototype was its insufficient rim weight. Even with aluminium ultralight SE installed, it felt like a rock on the string.

First prototype (left) and production version (right). Notice the more pronounced groove for the rubber O ring on the production version.

My first instinct to add more rim weight was to incorporate steel rings, making Burger a bimetal Titanium-Stainless Steel (TiSS) yo-yo. I felt highly confident in its feasibility, having previously launched a highly smooth batch of Droids, another TiSS yo-yo with SE. Although the effort saw some success, allowing most halves to be eventually tuned for smoothness—an accomplishment challenging with any TiSS SE yo-yo—the playfeel of the TiSS Burger ultimately fell short of expectations.

Undecided on this prototype, I spent a whole year testing it. Considering the significant investment I had already made in the prototypes, I wanted to ensure I was making the right decision moving forward. I even enlisted Reuben from Atmos Projects to try it out.

Ultimately, the prototype felt overpowering, lacking soul and the “fluffy” movement signature reminiscent of a burger bun that I had envisioned. Its playfeel didn’t align with its appearance. Given the required selling price for the TiSS Burger, I felt it was unworthy of production and was compelled to return to the drawing board.

Second bimetal TiSS prototype (left) and production version (right).
Second bimetal TiSS prototype (left) and production version (right).
Second bimetal TiSS prototype. Although the groove for the rubber O rings were removed, the rubber O rings could still be placed snugly under the steel rings. Freehand caps would sit on top of the steel rings.

The final prototype played like a charm and perfectly embodied my vision for Burger. With the first prototype CAD as a starting point, weight was redistributed more peripherally to the groove which accommodates the rubber O ring. This brought just the right amount of weight to the rim, less so than the stainless steel rings of the TiSS prototype, effectively addressing the problems posed by the initial two prototypes.

Significant rim weight was added to the rubber O ring groove of the first prototype (red arrow), with a deeper groove on the production version (green arrow).

As with Droid, an additional aluminium prototype, along with a third titanium one, was made before commencing mass production to address any potential issues. Fortunately, the assembly process for Burger proved to be much simpler than Droid, thanks to its monometal nature.

Aluminium prototype (left) and production version (right).

FLAVOR MEETS THE STRING

The Burger artwork draws inspiration mainly from In-N-Out, which is (sadly) only available in the U.S. I’ve had the privilege of visiting the U.S. twice in my life—first in 2007 for a family holiday in San Francisco and Las Vegas, and later in 2010 for a month-long medical elective at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center as a medical student.

In-N-Out located at Mountain View, CA, in 2007.
Inside the In-N-Out restaurant, which doesn’t seemed to have changed much since 2007 comparing with recent photos on Google Reviews.
My younger brother and late father enjoying their In-N-Out cheeseburgers in 2007.

One particularly cherished memory revolves around the In-N-Out cheeseburger. Throughout my elective at UCLA, I made it a routine to purchase a cheeseburger on Gayley Avenue almost every day on my way home… for an entire month! Looking back, perhaps indulging in so much fast food wasn’t the healthiest choice, but I truly savored every bite of that burger!

I spent a month long attachment with the liver transplant team at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in 2010. I eventually did not choose a surgical residency and I am now an interventional radiologist.
In the hospital changing room.
Setting off for work from our apartment we rented in Beverly Hills.
Many trips were made to the In-N-Out restaurant at Gayley Avenue, LA, on my way home from the hospital.

The Burger artwork was done by ATILA. The dominant color palette of the artwork closely mirrors the red hue of the In-N-Out logo. Burger would not be complete without a mini burger box, with Burger ingredients on the side flaps (noticed the titanium bars?) The certificate takes design cues from the In-N-Out menu, while its ketchup sachets were referenced for the pin.

To infuse a touch of McDonald’s aesthetics, a hint of yellow was incorporated. McDonald’s is my favorite fast food chain.

The custom burger box that ships with Burger is slightly smaller than a real life burger box.

This write up would not be complete without obligatory shots of Burger… in its burger form.

Engraving showing different layers of a burger.

HAVE IT YOUR WAY

RSO has collaborated with Layer Infinity to offer fellow fast food enthusiasts two weight rings we have affectionately named Return Toppings: Lettuce and Tomato. The Lettuce Return Topping weighs approximately 1.8g each, while the Tomato variant weighs 2.7g each. When paired with aluminum dome SE, Burger will have a weight of 65.1g and 66.9g, respectively. Each Return Topping features a pattern reminiscent of the vegetable that inspired its name. These weight rings are also compatible with Gravity and Sushi.

“These weighty rims—delectably named “Return Toppings”—are 3D printed with a process similar to my other products like Crystal rims and Kasm. The translucent face reveals the actual structure inside, with one significant difference. While the patterns on Crystal rims and Kasm were computationally generated as infill by the slicer software, Return Toppings’ patterns are actually part of the CAD model itself. This way, the pattern can be as detailed as the printer’s resolution allows.

3D printing with translucent filament poses an interesting challenge. The goal is for the initial layer to be as clear as possible for the internal structure to show up. This process is very sensitive to machine settings like layer height, temperature, and filament retraction, which differ from those used in printing ordinary opaque objects. Combined with size and mass calibrations, Return Toppings required a small mountain of prototypes just to determine the ideal settings for production.

This run of Return Toppings is designed to resemble two ingredients you’d find in burger sandwiches: Lettuce and Tomatoes. While the Lettuce (1.8g each) provides a comfortable balance between rim weight and zippiness, the Tomatoes (2.8g each) are noticeably heavier and more powerful.

What type of Return Toppings would you like in your Burger?”

– Wayne Ngan, Layer Infinity

These stickers were crafted for Burger. Feel free to print them (with a diameter of 48 mm) and stick them on the caps that came with Gravity and Sushi!

WHAT’S IN THE BURGER BOX

KETCHUP ENAMEL PIN

RESTAURANT MENU Certificate of AUTHENTICITY

PAIR OF LETTUCE RETURN TOPPINGS

PAIR OF TOMATO RETURN TOPPINGS

A PAIR OF CLYW SLIM / G-GRIP SIZE TYPE 50 RSO LANDING PADS

YELLOW STRING

Eetsit The End Titanium

by | Mar 22, 2025

From RSO:

“This special edition of The End Titanium is a must-have for all RSO and Anti-Yo collectors. The contrasting blasted brown and clear electroplated halves offer a reverential tribute to the iconic yo-yo of which the OG End was crafted from – none other than the legendary Anti-Yo Eetsit.”

Derty Mag

by | Mar 22, 2025

The following story was posted on the RSO Website:

A SERENDIPITOUS DISCOVERY

Once upon a time in the wildly spintastic town of Gigglesworth, lived a boy named Spencer, who had a real knack for stringing people along — like his parents, who still held onto the faintest hope that he’d become a doctor. One glorious afternoon, while valiantly exploring the dusty wasteland of his dad’s attic, he discovered a box labeled “Top Secret.” Naturally, he opened it, because ignoring giant warning labels is what heroes do, right?

Inside, to his absolute horror (or delight, we’ll never know), he found an impressive collection of adult magazines—classics like “Playtoy” and “Hustler.” Just what every awkward teenager needs for some… spinfluence. Spencer’s face turned fifty shades of red as he slammed the box shut. But not before catching sight of something shiny nestled among the fine literature.

RIBBED FOR EXTRA STIMULATION

It was a yo-yo. Not just any yo-yo—this one was sleek, shiny, and cheekily named “Derty Mag.” Spencer chuckled. “Perfect! Just what my social life was missing, a yo-yo with more personality than my entire high school.” He slipped the string on his finger and gave it a whirl. To his surprise, it spun with more sass than half the adults he knew.

The yo-yo came with a rather… informative brochure, chronicling the life of its creator, Russell Andert, affectionately dubbed the “Hugh Hefner of Yo-Yos.” Apparently, Russell had a mission: to create the “dert” series of yo-yos that could deliver maximum sensation while keeping things oh so pleasurable.

First Derty Mag CAD.

His pièce de résistance? The Derty Mag, which, according to the brochure, had a 1mm smaller girth and a “special groove for extra friction and sensation.” That groove went through more trial and error than a bad haircut, until he finally nailed the perfect one for peak stimulation.

“D”

As Spencer practiced, the yo-yo seemed to gain a life of its own, executing tricks with a level of enthusiasm that made him feel like the star of some sort of talent show. “Skin the Gerbil” somehow turned into “Rub the Bean,” and “Split the Atom” evolved into “Split the Eve,” each trick sending the yo-yo on spins that felt a bit too saucy for a simple afternoon of yo-yoing. The real kicker? When Spencer unscrewed the yo-yo, he found it housed a “D bearing” inside—because, obviously, a basic C bearing would never handle this kind of action.

C bearing (left) and D bearing (right) Derty Mag prototypes.
Derty Mag (right) is 1mm smaller in girth compared to derti (left).

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER

One night, their nosy neighbor, Mrs. Kathy, decided she just had to investigate the commotion. Just as Spencer was mid-trick—probably throwing down with a “Double Entendre Loop”—the Derty Mag made a bold escape, landing squarely in Mrs. Kathy’s lap. She gasped, clutching her pearls like they were some kind of force field. But then, out of nowhere, she let out a giggle. “Well, I never!” she said, half-scandalized, half-impressed. “That yo-yo is certainly… stimulating.”

Spencer, emboldened by Mrs. Kathy’s newfound appreciation for the fine art of yo-yoing, decided to step up his game. Soon, he was pulling off tricks at school that made the girls swoon and the boys look on in envy. Moves like “Kama-sutra-kaze,” “Gyroscopic Flip,” and crowd-favorite “Knicker Twister” had everyone in stitches.

POPEYE THE YO-YO MAN

It didn’t take long for Spencer to become the town’s newest celebrity. His yo-yo hand got so jacked, people started calling him “Popeye the Yo-Yo Man.” The once-snooze-fest town of Gigglesworth was now buzzing with laughter and some highly questionable yo-yo tricks, all thanks to one nosy kid and a box of, let’s just say, unexpected discoveries.

WHAT’S IN THE BOX

DERTY MAGAZINE Certificate of AUTHENTICITY

POPEYE THE YO-YO MAN ENAMEL PIN

A PAIR OF D SIZED TYPE 50 RSO X YOYOLAB LANDING PADS

CREAMY WHITE STRING

Sago

by | Mar 21, 2025

From TRT:

“We’re proud to present to you our first foray into performance oriented bimetal engineering, designed for float, speed, and fun!

This is the Sago.

Each cup is a mere 9.5g of 7068 aluminum, adorned with a 21.5g stainless steel ring. The overall weight is kept slightly lower than what most would consider the norm. Sago weighs in at only 65.1g to maintain an easily maneuverable and incredibly wild flow. When you’re ready to move, just say go.

FPM’s PinkPads provide satisfyingly snappy binds inside of the 4.4mm response gap while still allowing for ample string layering, and a 12mm axle ensures endurance.

Each Sago comes with a @ziplinestrings ZS.AIR string, TRT sticker, and pog. All packaged in a hand stamped box.”

Colorways

The Sago comes in four colorways: Citrus Splash, Florida Bay Fade, Clear w/Rainbow Rims, and an Unknown colorway.

Unknown Sago Colorway

The Unknown colorway for the Sago comes with a few extra goodies.

What’s in the Box

Each Sago comes in a hand-stamped, numbered box, making every piece feel special. Included with the yo-yo is a Zipline ZS Air 100% nylon string, a TRT sticker, and a TRT Series #4 POG, with special variations for the Unknown Edition.

Black Hole

by | Mar 15, 2025

From ZGRT:

“Introducing the Black Hole – the pinnacle of precision and performance. This throw embodies the perfect balance of form, design and function.

The construction and design of the Black Hole fall into a meticulously creation to achieve an impeccably rounded cup enhancing both its aesthetic appeal and its dynamic capabilities as well as flawless weight distribution. The perfect round shape of the cup is not only visually stunning but also a delight to the touch and great for finger spinning.

We added nice and wide stainless steel rims to deliver powerful and long-lasting spins. The rims also have a blasted finish that mixes with the body of the throw and reduces friction when in contact with the hand. In terms of the weight, the Black Hole is in the 67g range for strength and stability, making it a formidable powerful beast.

Despite its weight, the Black Hole plays effortlessly maintaining its momentum and speed far longer than ordinary throws. The shape of the Black Hole brings a wide and slightly concave catch zone for a comfortable throwing and landing when doing grinding.”