I second this, for the cost/price/performance ratio IME the ButterflyXT is the best traditional responsive for beginners. Overall, I find small bearing throws though to be the best for bearing responsive, so long as the bearing is greased correctly - something like a Freehand One might be a good option.
I am working on the YoTricks Screentime Challenge with my granddaughter (8yo). I’ve given her a couple of YYF Whips, since they’re cheap enough for her to loose. As for YoYo thick lube, I’ve tried several different kinds but have settled on either Singer Sewing machine oil ($7.99/4oz at Hobby Lobby) or some clear Remington oil ($2.47/2oz) both seem to make the bearings responsive enough for her to learn with. I recently upgraded her to a YYF Velocity with the adjustable response pads and I have them turned all the way in (tight for responsive play) but plan to loosen them as she gets better. That’s what works for me, I hope this helps.
2 Likes
As a fellow teacher, I get the logistics behind doing maintenance versus helping your kids at club. If at some point your collection of yoyo’s needs replaced I am going to second the recommendation for the Recess First Base above, my kids absolutely love it!
I’m assuming that you are working with younger kids, probably elementary or lower middle school right? One thing that I’ve done with my club kids (6-8) is that I teach a chunk of them basic maintenance on how to keep my loaner army of unresponsive’s nice and if they have down time in my class they just go through and check for knots, replace strings, lube bearing etc. They also will jump in during club to teach their classmates and take the load off me, which is nice.
I definitely still spend way more time being damage control than playing in club but that’s the role haha.
4 Likes
I’ve still been thinking about this off and one, and I think I’ve decided that the best yoyo to give away is the whip, or the butterfly XT, and also give them some fat string with it to aid in staying responsive the longest. In my classroom box, the ones that get played with the most are the butterfly XTs.
I got to play with @Slestak75’s kit of modded responsives, and I think the whip is the closest stock to his setup with a THICK string. Really impressed that his entire setup has been unmaintained for the entire time it’s been out. If I come up with something that is under $10 total that is modded and just a workhorse that needs no/little maintenance, I’ll post it.
4 Likes
I currently have the box and can attest, these things are great!
I also have a whip, and when stock, fresh out of the package, it played awesome, but the finishing was “yeah this is for sure a $5 YoYo”. It plays really nice tho, will get beginner where they are going.
3 Likes
I think the future of giveaway YoYo’s will be 3d printed. Easy to replace and cheapest option after the printer hurdle it’s self
5 Likes
I’ve played a 3d printed yoyo, but it felt really fragile, and I was thinking it could shatter if it dinged just right. Have you printed a yoyo that takes a bearing that can take a beating? And how maintenance free can they be?
First off going 3d printed your going opposite direction. Instead of maintenance free your going commodity cheap to replace and make a bunch. You can go to your local main branch library with a maker space and get a plate of halves printed for free making the YoYo’s the cost of a bearing and hardware.
As for strength examples of very sturdy 3d anything from layer infinity, the Hollywood modern drop, and dale tubat’s prints all hold up well.
I’ve got a print Arthur made to test stem kits that’s been going strong for a year and I let my kids throw that sucker around a playground. They legit were racing it down the slide and playing catch with it. After readjusting the stems the thing plays as good as it was pre playground.
Also if designed well 3d printed yo-yos can be very smooth.