Had a couple of requests to display similarities and differences between the CLYW Beater and the prototype. Hope you guys enjoy this quick write up!
Wanted to talk quickly about how I came to possess the prototype. Last year around this time Steve Brown asked me to powder coat some prototype Beaters in matte white. He sent 5 like the one I have, then 1 that was close to identical to the production run. I coated 4 in matte white then 2 in the andromeda galaxy shown next to the production model. I saw he gave one away as part of a secret santa, not sure what he’s done with the others, but I bet they’re probably getting played and beat up. I kinda regret not taking better pics of the white ones, but here they are.
The shape between the production model and prototype are a tad different. The production model is more rounded and “fuller” than the prototype. On the string the production model plays with a bit more float and feels very relaxed. The prototype plays with more presence on the string and feels a bit zippier as well. They both still feel very light on the string, but the production model slightly more so.
The response area is minimally different. The under cut on the prototype begins right where the response falls off, where as on the production model there is some space inbetween the under cut and the response area.
The specs appear to be the same. The production model is made from 7075 Al while the prototype is machined form 6061 Al. Hard to say if I prefer one over the other. The production model and prototype play different enough that I can’t say if one is better. I am a huge fan of both, and would absolutely recommend the Beater if you enjoy a very comfortable yoyo that feels very light and relaxed on the string while being very forgiving.
