Ask me about yo-yos

Ask me anything and I probably know it or can find out quickly.

Yo-yo's my only hobby besides LDs.

You'd be surprised by how much some yo-yos cost.

How much do some yo-yos cost?

What's the worst Yo-Yo accident you had?

Hmmm, the yo-yo I'm using right now is 30 bucks. The most expensive yo-yo I know of is the Duncun Anodized Freehand MG. That will cost you 450 USD. It's made from 99 percent Magnesium and had a ceramic bearing as well as being anodized, which is where they apply a protective coat electrolytically. There's no way I'd ever get that except if I had too much money to burn and I wanted it as a collectors item. Frankly, I don't think it's the best out there anyways. There are many high-quality aluminum yo-yos in the 100 dollar range. And there are tons of great plastic yo-yos in the 12-50 dollar range. The ones in the 40s-50s tend to have metal rims (weight focused on the outside increases spin time). And of course there are always the cheap dollar store yo-yos or the 3 dollar Duncan originals.

http://www.skilltoys.com/images/P/mgblack.jpghttp://www.skilltoys.com/images/D/mgblackresponse.jpg

I haven't had many yo-yo accidents, though once I smacked myself in the face and had a fat lip for three days. Also, I was letting a friend play around with one of my yo-yos in the hall at school once, and he didn't have it on right and it flew off his finger almost nailing a chick who was going to class. >.< Oh, I've also been hit in the nose on the rebound of an off-string yo-yo bouncing off the floor as I went to pick it up.

What's a yo-yo hobby like? Doesn't seem too versatile?

Well, there's actually a lot abot yo-yos that entertain me.

For one, you can buy and replace parts, so you can always upgrade yo-yos, as well as mod them if you have the tools and the talent. Also, I'm starting an small collection, so I'm always looking in stores for a yo-yo to buy and it's great fun getting a new one, even if it's a crappy one.

But probably the best part about yo-yo is the tricks. There's a vast multitude of tricks. I only know a handfull at the moment. But a lot of them have strange names, such as: Buddha's Revenge, Kwijibo, Eli Hops, Plastic Whip, and Skin the Gerbil. People are constantly making up new tricks too.

Oh, and competitions. There's State, Regional, National, and World competitions held every year. As well as some smaller local tournaments for some major cities (San Francisco for example, Bay Area Classic). The World Chamipionship is in Orlando, Florida this year I think.

Also, I find just messing around with a yo-yo relaxing.

Omg :D That's actually pretty awesome.

Yup yup. This guy, Mickey, is a god at 1A play, which is string tricks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rTgJcpAoz8

Is it really worth spending over $100 on a yo-yo? Do they perform alot better and let you do more tricks or is it more just about longer spinning much in the way a guitarist would spend alot on a neck-thru design (one piece for body and neck) to get a little longer ringing time (I know there there are more reasons theyre more expensive but just an example)? I play tennis and some people are amazed that people spend around $200 for a racket but there is a huge difference in the way they are made and how they perform. Also what kind of mods can you add to a yo-yo, they seem pretty simple as far as you have the outer parts and the round thing the string connects to and any lube. I yo-yoed alot in elementary school but never spent more than like $10 on one. Thanks.