# Benefits of plastic for unresponsive play? **URL:** \ **Category:** General Yo-Yo\ **Created:** [August 9, 2018, 5:47pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/benefits-of-plastic-for-unresponsive-play/291648 "2018-08-09T17:47:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![zslane](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/zslane/32/19816_2.png) [@zslane](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/zslane)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2018, 5:47pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/benefits-of-plastic-for-unresponsive-play/291648/1 "2018-08-09T17:47:06Z")
Can anyone think of any advantages of plastic over metal for unresponsive play other than price? ---
**Author:** ![codinghorror](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/codinghorror/32/8052_2.png) [@codinghorror](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/codinghorror)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2018, 5:54pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/benefits-of-plastic-for-unresponsive-play/291648/2 "2018-08-09T17:54:26Z")
Damage to objects and people is the other primary one. Plastic is softer and safer. ---
**Author:** ![andy569](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/andy569/32/1256_2.png) [@andy569](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/andy569)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2018, 6:33pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/benefits-of-plastic-for-unresponsive-play/291648/3 "2018-08-09T18:33:22Z")
Plastic hurts less. That’s about it. ---
**Author:** ![smileypants707](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/smileypants707/32/19045_2.png) [@smileypants707](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/smileypants707)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2018, 6:33pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/benefits-of-plastic-for-unresponsive-play/291648/4 "2018-08-09T18:33:50Z")
Some people just enjoy plastic more than metal. If we’re looking at cold hard facts, a metal yoyo will outperform aplastic yoyo any day. But it also kind of depends on the skill set of the person driving the yoyo. For example, Gentry Stein won nationals with a replay Pro. ---
**Author:** ![MarkD](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/markd/32/40845_2.png) [@MarkD](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/MarkD)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2018, 6:54pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/benefits-of-plastic-for-unresponsive-play/291648/5 "2018-08-09T18:54:04Z")
Possibly aesthetics & feel? You can’t get translucent or UV-reactive aluminum yoyos, and they feel different in the hand. Aluminum has a lot of other advantages, though. ---
**Author:** ![zslane](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/zslane/32/19816_2.png) [@zslane](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/zslane)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2018, 6:54pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/benefits-of-plastic-for-unresponsive-play/291648/6 "2018-08-09T18:54:54Z")
To emphasize what smileypants707 said, I kinda feel that on a practical level, Gentry winning nationals with a Replay Pro only tells us that a Replay Pro _can_ be used for very competitive play. However, because it is Gentry who pulled that off, we have to be honest and acknowledge that most of us aren’t going to extract the same degree of performance from it. ---
**Author:** ![vegabomb](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/vegabomb/32/199_2.png) [@vegabomb](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/vegabomb)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2018, 6:57pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/benefits-of-plastic-for-unresponsive-play/291648/7 "2018-08-09T18:57:24Z")
Plastic yoyos that are turned and not injection molded have a great feel in the hand. Normally made of delrin or celcon (those both may be the same thing, not positive). I know it’s not performance based but I really like them. ---
**Author:** ![smileypants707](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/smileypants707/32/19045_2.png) [@smileypants707](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/smileypants707)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2018, 6:58pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/benefits-of-plastic-for-unresponsive-play/291648/8 "2018-08-09T18:58:47Z")
I reeeeeally would like to get my hands on a Cabal. I’ve heard nothing but good things about it ---
**Author:** ![MarkD](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/markd/32/40845_2.png) [@MarkD](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/MarkD)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2018, 7:44pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/benefits-of-plastic-for-unresponsive-play/291648/9 "2018-08-09T19:44:48Z")
> [@vegabomb](#): > > Normally made of delrin or celcon (those both may be the same thing, not positive). It’s sold as **POM** , **Delrin** , **Celcon** , **Ramtal** , **Duracon** , **Kepital** , and **Hostaform**. > **[Polyoxymethylene](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyoxymethylene)** > > Polyoxymethylene (POM), also known as acetal, polyacetal, and polyformaldehyde, is an engineering thermoplastic used in precision parts requiring high stiffness, low friction, and excellent dimensional stability. Short-chained POM (chain length between 8 and 100 repeating units) is also better known as paraformaldehyde (PFA). As with many other synthetic polymers, polyoxymethylenes are produced by different chemical firms with slightly different formulas and sold as Delrin, Kocetal, Ultraform, PO... There are also polycarbonate turned yoyos, or hybrids that have polycarbonate in them (the Iceberg). ---
**Author:** ![shatterFX](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/shatterfx/32/66476_2.png) [@shatterFX](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/shatterFX)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2018, 8:26pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/benefits-of-plastic-for-unresponsive-play/291648/10 "2018-08-09T20:26:59Z")
After putting a huge ding in a Shutter playing outside on concrete, I mostly only take plastics with me when I go places now. They can usually take a lot of damage before they would be considered unplayable. And now with the level of quality you can get in a $20 plastic, you’d be crazy not to have a couple. Replay Pro, YYF Wedge, Recess First Base - all great plastic throws. Now, do I think they’re better than metal? Not at all. Just better for taking places because if I break a $20 plastic, it’s not a big deal. ---
**Author:** ![zslane](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/zslane/32/19816_2.png) [@zslane](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/zslane)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2018, 8:33pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/benefits-of-plastic-for-unresponsive-play/291648/11 "2018-08-09T20:33:57Z")
The idea of standing on a hard surface while practicing things I’ve not absolutely mastered makes me cringe, precisely for the reason you outlined shatterFX. ---
**Author:** ![Rosenberg](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/rosenberg/32/20465_2.png) [@Rosenberg](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Rosenberg)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2018, 9:52pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/benefits-of-plastic-for-unresponsive-play/291648/12 "2018-08-09T21:52:30Z")
Yep, I will always love translucent plastic yo-yos. They remind me of the yomegas I always wanted when I was a kid. I still love protostars, partly for that reason. (It has a weight ring, I know) ---
**Author:** ![zslane](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/zslane/32/19816_2.png) [@zslane](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/zslane)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2018, 9:54pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/benefits-of-plastic-for-unresponsive-play/291648/13 "2018-08-09T21:54:38Z")
I have a translucent “neon blue” Replay Pro that I love to just stare at, mesmerized by its azure beauty. ---
**Author:** ![codinghorror](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/codinghorror/32/8052_2.png) [@codinghorror](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/codinghorror)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2018, 12:01am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/benefits-of-plastic-for-unresponsive-play/291648/14 "2018-08-10T00:01:00Z")
> [@smileypants707](#): > > a metal yoyo will outperform aplastic yoyo any day Agreed. Delrin with weight rings is in the ballpark of metal though. And I would rank any and every Delrin / POM yo-yo well above regular plastics… like @vegabomb said. ---
**Author:** ![NoT\_ATHROWER](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/not_athrower/32/14242_2.png) [@NoT\_ATHROWER](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/NoT_ATHROWER)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2018, 12:17am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/benefits-of-plastic-for-unresponsive-play/291648/15 "2018-08-10T00:17:16Z")
Lol about that…I once hit myself in the face with a clyw big dipper. My lips swelled to twice its size and also a lot of blood. ---
**Author:** ![Old\_Yoer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/old_yoer/32/20548_2.png) [@Old\_Yoer](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Old_Yoer)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2018, 6:43am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/benefits-of-plastic-for-unresponsive-play/291648/16 "2018-08-10T06:43:47Z")
There are some benefits, or what could be construed as benefits, around the edges, as others have already mentioned. The fun factor is the difference-maker for me. I mostly play plastic and plastic/metal hybrids because that’s what I like. I like the look, feel and play on the string of my favorite plastics more than anything else. If I needed pure performance, I’d choose a metal, but plastics do everything I need them to do. ---
**Author:** ![zslane](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/zslane/32/19816_2.png) [@zslane](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/zslane)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2018, 5:09pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/benefits-of-plastic-for-unresponsive-play/291648/17 "2018-08-10T17:09:04Z")
That’s very interesting! What is your favorite plastic/metal hybrid at the moment? ---
**Author:** ![codinghorror](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/codinghorror/32/8052_2.png) [@codinghorror](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/codinghorror)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2018, 8:23pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/benefits-of-plastic-for-unresponsive-play/291648/18 "2018-08-10T20:23:42Z")
You don’t see a lot of plastic/metal hybrids these days, there are a handful with maybe weight rings on the _inside_ but I know back in the day when metal yoyos were far less common (2005-2010-ish?) it was a more common integrated design element in plastic yoyos. The 2010 Dark Magic II for example ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/yoyoexpert1/original/4X/6/d/e/6de377480f61d9c676b11f530bfaa55f166d01e8.jpeg) Illustrating how yo-yos were evolving around 2010 this is the first Dark Magic with silicone response pads vs plastic starburst, as well as the “standard” C bearing size! ---
**Author:** ![YoYoExpertGarrett](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/yoyoexpertgarrett/32/1543_2.png) [@YoYoExpertGarrett](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/YoYoExpertGarrett)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2018, 9:02pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/benefits-of-plastic-for-unresponsive-play/291648/19 "2018-08-10T21:02:44Z")
There’s still a good deal of hybrids coming out, not as many as when YoYoJam was in production, but a decent amount of companies are making them. iYoYo iCEBERG, iYoYo iPPON, YYR POM Draupnir, Mowl Surveil, C3 Gamma Crash, Magicyoyo Vapormotion, 2sick En Passant… And i’m sure more that i’m just blanking on. ---
**Author:** ![codinghorror](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/codinghorror/32/8052_2.png) [@codinghorror](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/codinghorror)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2018, 9:31pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/benefits-of-plastic-for-unresponsive-play/291648/20 "2018-08-10T21:31:06Z")
Yeah, what I meant is that metal is very mainstream now … the prices for a full metal yoyo are so low and machining so good, that it’s hard to argue in favor of hybrids which are more complex / expensive to make. I do love delrin with weight rings, and vapormotion too :wink: [Next page](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/benefits-of-plastic-for-unresponsive-play/291648.md?page=2)