MORE YO-YO REVIEWS

I have not included specific sleep times for all of the yoyos as I feel this will vary from person to person. These are just my personal opinions of the yoyos.

Come back soon for more great yoyo reviews.

Russell Pro Coca-Cola

Fixed wooden axle/Imperial shape.
The Coca-Cola yoyo is available in many 'looks'. They are all great looping yoyos. Their weight is fairly light, but this helps when going for a high number of loops. They are brilliant for 2 haned play, but string tricks can be very difficult to execute do to the narrow string gap. Coca-Cola yoyos are a nice addition to any players collection, so try to get some if you can.
***

Russell Master

Fixed Wooden axle/Imperial shape. A classic, inexpensive one piece yoyo which is good for looping and 2 handed play. Suprisingly smooth, and good for learning the basics with a half decent sleep time for a fixed wooden axle yoyo. If you're quick enough, you can even Split the Atom with it! The only drawback with the Rusell Master is you'll have to work to get out any knots because it is a one piece yoyo (see Maintenance page for fixed wooden axle tips).
**

Custom Reactor

Fixed Wooden axle. A smaller than usual aluminium butterfly yoyo. It feels fantastic in the hands and is equally as good looking. Comes in a range of beautiful anodized colours. However due to it's axle system, this yo has a very much reduced sleep time making it very difficult to do any complex string tricks. A great yo to have in your collection nonetheless.
Also available now, the new version of the Reactor, with ball-bearing, and the Chain Reactor, a modified shape/ball-bearing yoyo (smaller version of Custom's Axle..see below).
Look out for the Eric Wolffe signature series, available in black; a limited edition CR with the signature of the creator of the Chain Reactors' Performance Rings (similar to Brake Pads). These very collectable, little beauties are going to be worth something one day.
*** Click image for better view of Signature Series Chain Reactor

Custom Chain Reactor

Modified Shape/ball-bearing.
A superb little, aluminium yoyo. Offers long sleep time potential and complex string trick capabilities. The yoyo is incredibly hard to put down once picked up. It's overall performance can be compared to that of the Cold Fusion. It comes with Performance Rings for super responsiveness and control. The yoyo will really come alive with type 6 string, so use this if you can. A lovely yoyo to carry around with you due to it's minature size. This yoyo is highly recommended for intermediate and advanced players.
A great tip to increase the responsiveness and predictability of the yoyo is to use some lube, such as grease, on the bearing. This will save you money on Performance Rings and give the yoyo a nicer feel when playing.
****

Team Losi Da Bomb

Ball-bearing/Imperial shape.
This was the first yoyo from the Team Losi camp, and I have to say this yoyo ROCKS!!! It sleeps forever, real smooth on string tricks and loops are breeze with it. I didn't plan on buying this yoyo, but I'm so glad I did now. I guess I should have known that it would have been good because the Cherry Bomb is such a great yoyo also. However, the Cherry Bomb is not such a good looper, but the Da Bomb can do it all. It is quite a light-weight, but this doesn't have a negative impact on it's performance in the slightest. It has an adjustable string gap and 'grooves' on the inside of the halves to add the Team Losi weight rings, should you wish to. It is very responsive and looks fantastic too. Hats off to Team Losi, they've done an excellent job in producing two superb yoyos. If you're after a ball-bearing yoyo which can loop as well as it can play on string tricks, you've found it!! Perhaps the only flaw with the yoyo is that it's looks might not be to everyones' liking, and the TL weight rings are not supplied with the yoyo.
Also available now from Team Losi, the Grim Sleeper (same as the Da Bomb, but with different graphics), the A-line series yoyos and the Silver Series yoyos (the Cherry Bomb and Da Bomb with a chrome finish).
****

Team Losi A-Line Da Bomb

Ball-bearing/Imperial shape.
A much heavier version of the Da Bomb, made from a different kind of plastic, and available in 2 funky colours. Great looking and equally impressive in play. Handles string tricks better than some butterfly yoyos on the market can, and can sleep for a long time. Outstanding for looping, with easy control. This yoyo is a must if you are happy using a Da Bomb, but want more weight. Recommended for intermediate and advanced yoyoers only.
*****

Team Losi Cherry Bomb

Teflon sealed ball-bearing. A butterfly shaped yoyo which is very quiet whilst in motion and very smooth on string tricks. An adjustable string gap which allows the player to set the gap to their own preference by simply twisting the halves of the yoyo. Quite a light yoyo, but performs brilliantly thanks to the Team Losi weight rings which are supplied with the yo. Long sleepers are no problem with the Cherry Bomb and you'll find that they increase the more you use the yoyo. There is also very little slow down on complex tricks, but I feel that the gap must be adjusted right for the yoyo not to 'bite'. Also supplied is a wooden axle sleeve. Try the CB out with a Slick 6 string and see what you think- recommended.
Look out for the new Silver Series yoyos from Team Losi..coming to the UK soon!
****

Team Losi Silver Series Cherry Bomb

Ball-bearing/Butterfly shape.
A beautiful yoyo finished with a 'true' chrome coating. This is the original Cherry Bombs' elder brother. It feels quite a bit heavier and plays better on the string than the original Cherry Bomb. It sleeps for along time and is quiet in operation. If you already own a Cherry Bomb, is this worth getting?..well, the answer to that is YES!! But only if you are unhappy with the original Cherry Bombs' light weight.
****

HandQuake 1.4b

Ball-bearing. A beautiful butterfly shaped aluminum yoyo. Very slender and also quite light; fits into jeans pockets easily. This yoyo sets you apart from the crowd. Amazing sleep times with very smooth, quiet performance. On my first day I clocked a sleeper over 3mins with the Handquake, and I don't practise throwing long sleepers! Superb for string tricks with a little modification. Makes all other yoyos seem huge and sluggish in comparison (even the Custom Reactor). Each yoyo also comes with it's own serial number and the month and year it was made in is also engraved on the yo. If you order the spare washers for the HandQuake, you can even adjust it's string gap (recommended). This yoyo really appreciates Slick 6 strings, so stay away from type 8 if possible. The HandQuake is not available in most places yet. Order it direct from the manufacturer (HSpin Yoyos) in Switzerland.
If you fancy something a little different, this yoyo is for you. Fantastic for your collection.
*****

Tom Kuhn SB-2

Ball-bearing/modified shape. An aluminium yoyo with an adjustable string gap. Takes a lot of tinkering with to get the gap just right for optimal performance. The gap is adjusted using a string gap tool which is supplied with the yoyo (the yoyo must be unscrewed to adjust the gap width). Long sleep times and reasonable string trick play for the SB-2 are no problem with the gap set right. The SB-2 is available in a variety of beautiful anodized colours as well as the original silver. The latest offering is the Spectrum Series SB-2. This is a limited edition version and is much sought after by collectors. Also, the 'Tortoise Shell' coloured SB-2 has been taken off the production line, so these SB-2's are going to be in demand in the future, so take great care of yours if you have one.
If you want to, you can also register your SB-2 serial number at the SBII Registry (see below for link). The SB-2 also comes with a 40 page flight manual, weight rings, a gap adjustment tool, a soft carry pouch, and five extra strings in a presentation box. Considered to be more of a collectors yoyo than a players' nowadays.
HOT TIP: For maintenance of your SB-2, look no further than the SBII Experience site. Here, you'll find a page dedicated to getting the most out of your SB-2..check it out.
***

Duncan Wheels

Fixed metal axle/Butterfly shape.
The Duncan Wheels has been used by many people including the ex-Duncan guy Arnie Dixon in his trick video. I must admit, I love this yoyo. It plays so well considering it's a fixed metal axle. You can Split the Atom, Hydrogen Bomb and Reach for the Moon easily with this yoyo. It is inexpensive and makes a great present for newbie yoyoers. Try to use a thinner type string on this yoyo. Highly recommended.
***

BC Rainbow

Fixed wooden axle/Imperial shape.
A beautifully made wood yoyo. The Rainbow plays very well on both string and looping tricks. It is a favourite of Yo master Dennis McBride for 2 handed tricks, and if you've ever seen his 2 handed trick video, you'll know why! The yoyo is fairly heavy, and can slip on the string from time-to-time. But generally it is very reliable and responsive. A good wooden yoyo is hard to beat, and when they look like the Rainbow does, it makes it that much better.
Buy one to help master your technique, it'll pay off in the end.
***

BC Apollo

Fixed wooden axle/Butterfly shape.
The BC Apollo is a wooden, butterfly shaped yoyo. It is basically the same as the BC Lightning apart from it's shape. It does sleep long enough for you to be able to crank out some nice regeneration combo's and is great for Reach for the Moon. Again, this yoyo is good to tighten up your technique, so you don't always rely on a transaxle yoyo to get out your tricks.
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