SHOWCASE Vol.2 in Pictures

Photo credits to: Andrew Lin & Colin Wan

Spinworkx Trick Collection #8

A short & sweet 5A trick from one of the coolest trick innovators around.

SHOWCASE Vol. 2 Freestyles

1A Champion: Malcolm Chiu

1A 1st Runner-up: Muhd Hafiq

1A 2nd Runner-up: Norman Wee

X Champion: Kwan Jun Jie

X 1st Runner-up: Ian Loh

X 2nd Runner-up: Jeremy Tan

Check out the rest of the freestyles here:

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgjCTH_Essz1AG-cKqFdB6liWB1ipVCQT

SHOWCASE Vol. 2 Results

SHOWCASE Vol.2 Sequence List

Yo-Yo Setup of the Month: YoYoJoker Exceed (Spinworkx Edition)

YoYoJoker has something cool and unique going with their EX-series of yo-yos. When we first saw them at AP13, we knew that it was something we must have. However, we decided to try and take it one step further and not just get Ex-series yo-yos, we figured to try and make a Spinworkx edition Lock Crest, and the people over at YoYoJoker were nice to oblige.

After a little bit of discussion and planning, the Spinworkx Lock Crests were ready, and we could not be happier with them. After trying them out on the different Ex-series of yo-yos, personally, it was best on the very first YoYoJoker Ex-series yo-yo, the Exceed.

So that is how we fell in love with, and chose our yo-yo of the month for February 2014.

Exceed (Spinworkx Edition)

The Ex-series of yo-yos is a set of yo-yo releases from YoYoJoker that allows the Spinner to completely customise how their yo-yo feels and plays. With different body shapes, Response Units for different bearings and pads, and different Lock Crests for cool and unique designs, there is bound to be a setting that every Spinner will like and be comfortable with. At the moment, there are 4 body shapes released, with more planned to follow.

The first body shape released was the Exceed, and it features something of a H-shaped profile. This version of the Exceed we are featuring is the Black Spinworkx Edition Exceed.

YoYoJoker has set out to create and produce high-quality, unique and excellent performing yo-yos from Japan. The Exceed is one yo-yo that showcases exactly what YoYoJoker is out there to do. Despite having various parts and components, the Exceed still plays incredibly smoothly and spins well.

YoYoJoker owner Daisuke Shimada has over 13 years of experience under his belt, having won the World Yo-Yo Champion title in the past for his 3A. He is familiar with the various shapes and specifications that would allow the yo-yo to perform at its best, and for what style or division of play.

The H-shaped profile on the Exceed allows it to spin long and remain stable during play. Even though the Exceed is not as hefty as other yo-yos that feature the same diameter and width, it still feels incredible to play with.

We love the Black on Black Spinworkx edition Exceed (of course, we are biased), and here we have a photo comparison of how the White version of the Exceed looks like.

As you can seen in the photo, the White Exceed uses Red Response Units instead of the Black ones on the Spinworkx Exceed. Spinners can customise not just the size of bearing for the Response Unit, but also the color. This enables cool color combinations for the Response Unit & yo-yo body.

The only real difference between the White and the Black Spinworkx version of the Exceed is the color. Everything else is essentially the same.

As you can tell from the pictures before, our choice setup for the Exceed is a full black yo-yo. Black body, Black Lock Crests & Black Response Unit. This gives the Exceed a look that makes it seem like a full plastic, or full metal yo-yo. It also gives one the impression that it does not have as many components as it truly has.

The gap profile of the Exceed shows off its curvy H-shape. Despite being H-shaped, the Exceed is surprisingly very comfortable in the hand. Unlike other H-shaped yo-yos that stick out a little in hand, the Exceed is comfy and nice. As seen in the picture above, the Exceed uses a large size C bearing. We have chosen to use a flat YYJ Speed Bearing in our Exceed to guarantee a long and smooth spinning yo-yo. The yo-yo halve is made out of solid delrin to ensure that the Exceed is durable and long-lasting.

The Exceed uses a total of 8 components all together. 2 yo-yo halves, 2 Response Units, 2 Lock Crests, 1 bearing and 1 axle. For a yo-yo with so many components, it plays smoothly without any vibe or wobble. Definitely precision engineering at it's best. For our Exceed setup, we have chosen a YoYoJam Speed Bearing (as mentioned above), Yellow Kitty String and standard YoYoJoker Silicone response pads.

The Black body Exceed usually only comes as an extra / additional / separate purchased Ex-series body. The Spinworkx Lock Crest is also another unique and limited edition item that makes our Exceed a collectible, other than just another great playing yo-yo. The Spinworkx Lock Crest features the Spinworkx logo on one side, and the Spinworkx 'X' on the other.

A closer look at the Response Unit shows the large Size C bearing, and the translucent/transparent YoYoJoker silicone response pads that we have chosen to use in our Exceed for this month.

The Exceed is a great yo-yo that works well for any kind of string trick or combo, and is a superb carry around and practice yo-yo. The customisability of the yo-yo makes it unique and oh-so cool! Definitely a must for every yo-yo player looking to have a cool yo-yo to show off to your friends.

These Spinworkx Edition YoYoJoker Exceeds are available at Spinworkx in limited quantities. So do check in with us if they are still available if you intend to get one, or some.

Exceed (Spinworkx Edition)

1) YoYoJoker Exceed (Black body)

2) YoYoJoker Black Response Unit (Size C)

3) YoYoJoker Black Spinworkx Edition Lock Crests

4) Yellow Normal Kitty String

5) Large YoYoJam Speed Bearing

That brings us to the end of this month's Yo-Yo Setup of the Month. Don't be shy, and let us know YOUR Yo-Yo Setup of the Month. Drop us a comment below, leave us a message on our Facebook Page with the title - My Yo-Yo Setup of the Month, or tag your setup with a picture on our Instagram Page, with @spinworkxsg #yoyoofthemonth.

Till next time, 

Keep Spinning round and round!

~

Spinworkx First Mount #22 - Basic Chopstick Mount

When the video 'The Fidget' of Jason Lee, filmed by Spencer Berry came out years ago, players all around the world were amazed at what a simple Chopstick mount could do. Not only did it make tricks look different, Chopstick mounts opened the door to more possibilities and trick variations. Chopstick tricks were difficult to do, and some Chopstick tricks still are tough to hit. 

The most basic Chopstick trick would be the 1.5 Chopstick Mount or the Basic Chopstick Mount. This mount would be a great starting point to learning and practicing Chopstick styled tricks. It may seem a little challenging and tough to hit at first, but keep practicing and working at it, and slowly your fingers will get more accustomed to the placing of the strings.

Also, an easier way to get into this mount would be landing a trapeze first and then going on into the Basic Chopstick Mount.

Let us describe how the Basic Chopstick Mount, in this instance, is like.

First, throw a Breakaway. (Surprise surprise)

Once the breakaway has been thrown, immediately have the string rest on your non-throwing hand thumb.

When the string is resting on your thumb comfortably, with your palm facing up, have your index finger and/or middle finger of your non-throwing hand 'pull' using the back of those fingers the string segment that is between your non-throwing hand thumb and throwing hand as in the following picture.

Once you have your hand in this position, push the string down with your non-throwing hand index/middle fingers, and twist your hand with your palm now facing downwards.

Now you should have a string segment in between your non-throwing thumb and non-throwing index/middle fingers.

You will need to land the yo-yo onto this string segment. So the yo-yo will need to travel up and in between your non-throwing thumb and index/middle fingers before landing onto the string.

As the yo-yo will need to travel between your fingers, this is where you will need to be as accurate as possible. Of course, more practice will definitely help you familiarize with the dynamics of the trick. While practicing this at first, do it as slow as possible to get the idea and feel for the trick.

Once you are able to land on that string segment, you should have landed the Basic Chopstick Mount.

The trick may sound easy, it may look easy, but the execution in one smooth motion takes a bit of practice. However, once you are able to land it successfully consistently, it'll look cool in any trick/combo you can use it in. So don't give up!

A few pointers to take note of when learning the Basic Chopstick Mount:

1) Keep it slow and steady. Practice step by step and ensure you are doing it right and smoothly before practicing it with a little more speed.

2) Try to push your thumb and index/middle finger of your non-throwing hand as far apart as possible to allow as much space in between for the yo-yo to land in.

3) Throughout the duration of the Mount, remember to keep the yo-yo and the string always on the same, straight plane.

That is all for #22 of the Spinworkx First Mount project.

If you have any questions or feedback, drop us a note here, or shout out to us at our Facebook page.

You can also show off your Basic Chopstick Mount by tagging us on our Instagram Page, with @spinworkxsg #firstmount. 

Till next time,

Keep Spinning!~

FRESH: Turning Point Houska Dry

Name: Houska Dry

Bearing Size: Large (Size C)

Response: Narrow K-pads

Turning Point is well known to produce some of the finest yo-yos that are made in Japan. One of their first offerings, the Leviathan, took the Spinning world by storm and players loved the comfortable rounded shape, solid feel and excellent performance it brought. Singapore Champion Marcus Koh loved the Leviathan so much that he used it to win the Singapore National Competition back in 2009. Since then, Turning Point has come a long way with new, improved yo-yos and designs. The Houska Dry is one of those new designs.

The Houska Dry was conceived as an affordable metal to add to the growing line of Turning Point yo-yos. Players who have wanted to own Turning point yo-yos always were weary due to the hefty price tag that came with them. The Houska Dry is different in that sense. It is a great playing metal yo-yo for a fraction of the price. If you ever wanted to own a Turning Point yo-yo but just could not bring yourself to spend so much, look no further than the Houska Dry!

Turning Point has always been minimal with their designs and engravings, if at all. Most of their yo-yos are minimalistic, without any markings or word engravings whatsoever. This gives their yo-yos a nice, simple and clean look. What is more, the shape and style of Turning Point yo-yos are enough to set them apart from other yo-yos in the market without needing laser engravings to identify them.

Houska Dry comes in 3 colors for their first run, with other colors sure to follow. The finish on the yo-yos are bead-blasted smooth, to allow for easy grinds. The Raw Silver Houska Dry is not bead-blasted though. 

Turning Point may have created an affordable metal yo-yo in the Houska Dry, but it does not affect the performance of this yo-yo. With the traditional solid feel of a Turning Point, but with a little floaty-ness thrown in the mix, the Houska Dry is bound to be a favorite amongst Spinners looking for a quality throw without burning a hole in their pockets.

Looking at the gap view of the Houska Dry will remind some players of a Leviathan. With a step at the inner wall area, which Turning Point is well known for, it allows the Houska Dry to have slightly longer spin times while performing horizontal tricks as this step keeps the string away from the walls of the yo-yo. 

With its slight similarity with the Leviathan, we figured we would compare them to see how similar they actually are.

The Houska Dry (on the left) has a slightly slimmer width as compared to the Leviathan (on the right). Also, the inner wall step on the Houska Dry is more obvious and protruding than the slighter, smaller step on the Leviathan. The diameter of the 2 yo-yos are pretty close to each other.

The Leviathan, on the right, is clearly wider than the Houska Dry. The Houska Dry uses a flat, clean C-sized bearing for long spins, and Silicone Narrow K-pads for reliable and tight binds.

Due to the rounded shape, the Houska Dry fits very comfortably in the hand. Even with strong & hard throws, the Houska Dry will not hurt your hand when it returns. The round shape comfortably cushions the impact, making it ideal for players who are just starting out learning long spinning tricks on.

There is no surprise when we tried the Houska Dry as we knew we could trust Turning Point to produce great playing yo-yos. However, what surprised us was the price on the Houska Dry. Although the price tag lists this yo-yo as a budget metal, it's performance suggests otherwise. It plays great and is definitely good enough to be used on stage in contests around the world!

Be sure to pick up and try a Houska Dry soon. It is definitely a yo-yo that deserves to be in every true Spinners collection and arsenal.

The Turning Point Houska Dry is available at Spinworkx now!

Spinworkx Trick Collection #7

Yet another gem from Ian!
Enjoy!