Be sure to check the Events page for more info about the meeting.

Here’s a short promo video I put together for the DXL Battle Championships 2010 which will be held next month on August 21. All the players featured in the video are members of The DXL Crew. The contest is shaping up to be a big one. We’re even expecting international players this year! Go to http://www.dxlbattle.com for all the current info.

Here it is, the yo-yo that has been rumored to be named the “2010 i”, The Electric Daisy.  RecRev’s latest installment is probably my favorite RecRev yo-yo at the moment.  A lot was put into the design, yet it looks and feels very simplistic and minimal.  They were retailing at a local contest a couple weeks ago for $50.  Make sure this is in your “definitely must buy” category for future purchases.  I bought two myself.  One to rock, one to stock.

I added these two babies to my collection thanks to Ernie over at General-Yo.  The larger silver colored yo-yo is The Magnum, a satin-polished, nickel-plated, full-sized yo-yo made out of pure magnesium.  It isn’t a fast player, but it feels real good in the hand.  The addition of the wooden box which was hand turned from one piece of wood by Ernie’s father really makes this something special.  As I understand, not all pieces will come with a box so I was one of the lucky ones.

I also want to thank Ernie for making something special for me.  A custom engraved ministar, with the name “glasseye” laser-engraved on one side (not shown).  How dope is that?  Many many many thanks to General-Yo for the nice surprise.  General-Yo is really making a big impact on the yo-yo scene here in Southern California.  It’s definitely one of the favorite throws of many of the players in the area.

Dif-e-Yo Tank

Have you ever purchased a product and wondered if it was going to hold up to your usage? Cell phones come to mind, some of them feel so cheap I’d be afraid to put it in my pocket. Then there are some things you pick up and it just feels right, nice and solid. Craftsman Tools come to mind, they just feel good.  I’ve always considered Dif-e-Yo products to be the Craftsman Tools of the yo-yo world.

Dif-e-Yo Bone Chip

When you hold a Dif-e-Yo in the palm of your hand it just feels right. Constructed in the USA, high quality Aluminum, it’s solid, regardless of the model.

Why are Dif-e-Yo’s so solid? A huge axl helps, simplistically yet well designed, and the focus on playability vs aesthetics. Also each yo-yo is tested by the owner, Frank Dif-e-Yo, prior to shipping to retailers. My only wish for Dif-e-Yo product line is Silicone. I wish they would move to a more modern style response, thin groove, silicone response. I have become a silicone lover. The consistency of silicone is something I haven’t been able to get from other responses.

Let’s hope more companies step up to the plate and create products that feel the way they should, solid. Dif-e-Yo has set the bar high, but I’m sure there are others who can keep pushing it higher.

I took the dive into a second quality yo-yo, YoYoFactory B-Grade DV888. I’ve always been a bit skeptical on investing into something that is being sold as less than meeting standard. This time around YoYoExpert made a deal I couldn’t pass up. The Price was right for the product. 

B-Grade to me used to mean, shelf yo-yo, something that would wobble so much it wouldn’t function as designed. I was wrong. This B-Grade DV888 plays nice, there is a vibration to it, something I wouldn’t expect to feel on a first quality yo-yo. The color is probably not what YoYoFactory expected either, I dig it though. There are some markings on the body that probably aren’t supposed to be there, don’t bother me.

You can see from the markings, YoYoFactory wanted to make sure everyone know’s this is a B-Grade.

The bottom line, there is absolutely nothing wrong with a second quality yo-yo. Nothing wrong as long as the consumer’s expectations are at the right level. The price is worth it in my simple opinion.

I added an Events page to the top menu of this website to list all the upcoming events around Southern California. Please go check it for the latest information regarding a dinner at John’s Incredible Pizza on Tuesday, May 25, 2010 as well as Beginner Yo-Yo classes @ Puzzle Zoo in Costa Mesa and 3rd Street Promenade. I’ll also be adding more information about BLC 2010 (South West Regionals) and the DXL Battle Championship.

This Saturday, we’re getting together again for a local meet. We had a great turnout at the last one, it’s a shame I didn’t bring a camera. The meeting will start at 1pm, hope to see you all there. Please click here for the location and more information.

Elements 8 Houdini Z hop from Sam Lopez on Vimeo.

Houdini Z hop
Yes i did say Kamikaze mount cause thats what i usually call it but i guess it is defined as a houdini mount. Houdini Pop over Fake GT undercuts drop hops whatever you’ll get into something you don’t usually try.

Anthony Rojas’ Video Can be seen Here.

Overcast from Anthony Rojas on Vimeo.

Discussion boards can be seen here:
http://www.yoyonation.com/talk/index.php/topic,54849.0.html
http://yoyoexpert.com/forums/index.php/topic,4307.0.html

Tags: Anthony Rojas, Sam Lopez —

Some of my favorite things in life, tasty bagels, cool bike shops, beautiful weather, yo-yo’s, and friendly people can all be found in one small California city, Chico. The city of Chico is also the place to witness the long history of yo-yo’s, the National Yo-Yo Museum’s home inside Bird in Hand’s retail shop. Bird in Hand is also home to The Chico Yo-Yo Club, the club that has been producing some of the greatest players in the US, folks like Augie Fash and David Melons. Oh did I mention the yearly US National yo-yo contest? Yup I love Chico.

Now the city adds another awesome title to its long list of awesomeness, Yo-Yo Manufacturer. The Chico Yo-Yo Company has had two releases thus far. What makes these yo-yo’s different? Well, they are made, tested, and loved all in the same US city, Chico, CA.

This is not the first time yo-yo’s bared the name Chico, but it is the first metal production.

Now this 66 gram work of art plays ultra smooth. The silicone response, looks hand poured, is just what the yo-yo needs, not too much bite. At just under 2 inches in diameter the size is just right for those who are hand sized challenged. Width is in proportion with the diameter, at 1.5 inches the yo-yo is considered undersized. An undersized yo-yo with big play is a good description.