Not quite. This is the new Off String yo-yo. No due date on release but it sounds like this will be one of the last generations before production. At 2005 Worlds Duncan President Jason Sowey saw a lack of Duncan’s used in off string play. Thus, 2 1/2 years later, here it is!
Its a more rounded wing and body based off of the FHZ (not like the Flying Panda’s body based off of the FH2). Hopefully that means FHZ caps will be a part of this model. The wings are made of a harder less grippy rubber that is really nice for bounces and grinds.
The inside is different then other Duncan models. This yo-yo has 3 small holes around the bearing similar to the Yo-Yo Jam Aquarius. Also the gap on this yo-yo is smaller for better off string response.
Now the question arises, is this a good move? I played with this yo-yo for a wile and i was very impressed with the playability, feel and performance. But is producing such a niche yo-yo on a mass production level going to fly? I would hope that spacers that will widen the gap and friction sticker (which will be included) will make this just as good for 1 and 5A as the Panda is (was?)
On a completely different tangent… Check out the new Takeshi FHZ. Purple Enyo and special edition Takeshi caps. These will be exclusively available on Duncan’s website
The Shuriken isn’t your average yo-yo. Or even your average mini yo-yo!
Made of carbon steel weights 64g is 1.65″ high and 1.2″ wide. SPYY sized bearing and flush pads.
I got a chance to play with this at Madfest this weekend. Out of the other new recent mini yo-yos I’ve played with (CU, G.5) I enjoyed playing with this the most. the feel is more comfortable in my hand and it feels more like a real yo-yo. Due out on a few weeks.
Sadly, there are anodizing issues with the Train Wreck.
We just uncovered a problem with the Train Wreck. At ECC, two people returned Train Wrecks after they did thumb grinds and some of the anodized finish came off (see the pic above). We were hoping they were fluke occurrences. We reported this to Steve Buffel, who is the guy at SPYY. Steve tested it for a day, and it happened to him. He said the anodized finish was too thin and may come off in time. To reflect that, Mitchell’s and Steve have decided to reduce the price of the Train Wreck from $94.95 to $68, and sell it ‘as-is’ with no warranty. The finish problem should not affect the play, however, it is likely to lose it’s finish with use. Steve’s had other problems with the Train Wreck with many halves scheduled for the the general release being damaged at the anodizer. So, the status of the entire run is up in the air.
ECC in all it’s glory will be recapped tonight on YoYos Coast to Coast. We’ve got clips from the likes of Spencer Berry (talkin’ Green Triangles), Both Save and Deth, Joe Wilson, John Higby, Mark Hayward, Adam Brewster and Joey Fleshman PLUS, in a encore co-hosting – newly engaged Thom Uleau! We’ll talk about all that went on at ECC, including Friday night Yo-Yo Club at Mitchell’s (when our heroes scared away a carload of teenage girls), Friday night’s mayhem at the Severance household (an alert Mark Allen doused a fire started by Matt Doc), Saturday’s contest itself, Saturday’s after party at JonRobs (where I nearly whupped Seth Peterson’s hairy butt in an impromptu wrestling match), PLUS Thom Uleau’s surprise proposal to his long time girlfriend.
Tom “Hollywood” Uleau – you may remember him as MC of contests like “the Mid-Atlantic Regionals,” “Maryland States,” and “Pennsylvania States” or, perhaps, as ne’er-do-well AJ Kirk’s ne’er-do-well roommate or as the newest member of the AYYA Board of Directors. In any case, Tom will be on house to co-host his first (and likely last as he’s moving to Florida) Yo-Yo’s Coast to Coast this Monday at 9:30 pm (East Coast Time) – tune in at YoYoRadio.net
Yes, shockingly enough, YYC2C is not dead yet. Despite a prolonged hiatus (we’re working out an independent agreement to the YYC2C writers), we’re back – just in time for the second East Coast Classic / Delaware State Yo-Yo Contest on Saturday – January 12th. Tune in Monday for what promises to be a fun show. And, entirely Tyler-free! (well, maybe not entirely, but largely Tyler-free anyway)
If this is any snippet of what we are in for in ‘08 I can’t wait. John Ando’s 1A alone is in the top 10 of 08 and we are only 2 days into it. It’s really neat to see how his 2A skills infuse in his 1A. I lot of arm usage and rotation.
Not to mention Yuuki’s more simplistic styling of new tricks and Miguel never misses a beat with his freehand. And who doesn’t like a good MF Doom beat behind an awesome video.
Sadly, there are anodizing issues with the Train Wreck. 
