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| Zero Gravity Return Tops Knuckle Yo - Stainless Steel - ZipLine Strings (mini) |
| Exhibit #4561 |
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| Type | Special Release |
| Shape | Specialty |
| Axle | Bearing |
| Finish | Anodized |
| Color | Rainbow |
| Packaging | Boxed |
| Construction | Multi-piece metal |
| Response | CBC Slim Pad |
| Diameter | 22.5mm |
| Width | 35.8mm |
| Gap | Fixed |
| Gap Width | 3.45mm |
| Weight | 47.72mm |
| Condition | Mint |
| Date | 2022 |
| Owner | Rick Brough |
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Rainbow anodized stainless steel yo-yo body with purple/blue anodized knuckle bar. One yo-yo halve was engraved with KnuckleYo while the bar was branded with a tiny engraving of the ZipLine Strings logo. Yo-yo and bar were each packaged in their own black cardboard tube.
From the ZipLine strings website:
"ZipLine Edition KnuckleYo
by Zero Gravity Return Tops
Release Date: October 21, 2022 at 18:00 MT
A few months back ZipLine was fortunate enough work with Zero Gravity on a killer yoyo multi-tool called the Throw Key, and this experience lead ZipLine to becoming super fans of everything ZGRT was up to. While still in the making, ZGRT reached out to us to see if we'd be interested in checking out their next project, and we were seriously blown away when we received the prototype. Having already been familiar the skill toy known as the knuckle roller, we were super excited to see ZGRT's creative spin on it. The KnuckleYo literally transforms into a micro yoyo?!? Yes … a resounding YES!!! And to make a long story short, we love it and we were lucky enough to get a couple of our own exclusive colorways with ZipLine Edition engravings.
Note: While in yo-yo mode, please use the included string for best results.
We helped prototype a special string specifically for the KnuckleYo, and ZGRT's latest formula became the basis for the official KnuckleYo string. You'll immediately notice that the string is super thin and fairly short (likely, much different than anything you're used to), but it's an essential ingredient for getting practical use while yoyo mode. This string needs to be thin in order to get an adequate number wraps (for length) within the gap of the yoyo to provide a decent throw and bind.
You can find two types of string replacements in the ZipLine shop (directly beneath this product).
Remember, micro yo-yos can be both extremely challenging and incredibly rewarding!
Options
a. Purple/Blue grip + Rainbow stainless steel beads (seen in this exhibit)
b. Purple/Blue grip + Raw stainless steel beads
c. Clear (silver) grip + Rainbow stainless steel beads
d. Clear (silver) grip + Raw stainless steel beads
Each set included the following:
• 1 KnuckleYo body
• 2 stainless steel beads = 1 yo-yo (size A bearing and M4 × 14mm axles)
• 1 KnuckleYo string (ZGRT formula), aka CS (Case Study) #115 (spun by ZipLine). See also ZipLine Stranger Strings, Case Study #115 pack.
• KnuckleYo sticker
• ZGRT pin
• ZGRT pouch"
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From the Zero Gravity Return Tops website:
"We have a tendency in wanting to turn everything we see into a yoyo. Some ideas from this tendency are, of course, kind of crazy but some others are kind of cool. One day, having this obsession in mind while looking at a knuckle roller, we asked ourselves our typical initial question: what if…
And here we are introducing the KnuckleYo.
Recipe
Yo-yo configuration only:
Diameter: 22.5mm
Width: 35.8mm
String gap: 3.45mm
Weight: 47.72gm (stainless steel)
Bearing: Size A, concave
Axle: M4 x 14mm
Response: 19mm slim pads
Halve material: Brass, Copper, or Stainless steel (seen in this exhibit)
The KnuckleYo pushed our very own limits in creating a knuckle roller that is capable in turning into a yoyo—hmmm we are not sure now if it was the other way around: a yoyo that is capable in turning into a knuckle roller?
The initial challenge we hit right away was the weight and dimensions the KnuckleYo needed to have in other to be functional as a yoyo and as a knuckle roller. We played around with different dimensions, shapes and materials. Some worked perfectly, some just did not such as Titanium. One of prototypes we made out of titanium did not perform the best as a yoyo. The limitations of the dimensions and its density did not play well.
For such reasons, we ended up using only Stainless Steel, Brass and Copper. All of them have similar densities but different enough to have a different weight distribution for each material. In other words, although the weight is the pretty much the same, each material variation has a slightly different weight distribution.
The other challenge we had was in the designing part. We wanted to have thin walls with thick rims but the size of the cup prevented to use standard tooling. This of course led us to work with the machinist and create customized tooling.
The initial idea was to accommodate begleri as part of the features by using a 275 paracord that fit the M4 hole size no problem. It worked perfectly. The problem we had was that the axle was going through the cup side making the yoyo assembly a little bit frustrating. For such reason we ended up adding a stop to prevent the axle to go to the side of the cup, but that reduced the diameter of the ending part of the axle hole. For such reason, a <2mm diameter paracord could do the trick to turn the KnuckleYo in begleri.
For the engine of the yoyo, we did not want to use a mini bearing. We wanted instead to use a a bearing size that had a good performance and that was easy to find out there in the market. At the same time, we wanted the bearing to be concave to some how reduce the friction of the string with the pads. We ended up choosing an A size bearing and customized pads to properly fit the bearing and yoyo dimensions—by the way, our Throw Key can also remove this bearing if it gets stuck ;)
Playing with a mini yoyo is challenging. This is not the exception but definitely has great stability to perform complex tricks and to improve your yoyo accuracy. One element that definitely is key with this throw is the string, we tested several combinations in terms of materials, length and thickness along with Zipline to find the perfect match that suited the KnuckleYo not only from the performance perspective, but also from the winding up and binding perspectives.When not in yoyo mode, you can toss it in your pocket and start using it as a knuckle roller practically anywhere yo go.
This project made us connecting with different people with different skills to test the prototypes and to receive feedback after testing them. We would like to thank them all for their time and extraordinary response that helped us to develop this project.
As we always say, let nothing hold you down."
Original retail price: $64.50 US.
Of interest...
To see all mini yo-yos in this museum, in the left panel, select Exhibits.
In the right pane, in the Name/Model field, type mini, then select Browse. | |
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