# Let’s Talk Tom Kuhn SB-2 **URL:** \ **Category:** General Yo-Yo\ **Created:** [January 16, 2024, 3:04pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/let-s-talk-tom-kuhn-sb-2/392149 "2024-01-16T15:04:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![GnarlyCharlie](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/gnarlycharlie/32/279610_2.png) [@GnarlyCharlie](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/GnarlyCharlie)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2024, 3:04pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/let-s-talk-tom-kuhn-sb-2/392149/1 "2024-01-16T15:04:45Z")
So last night there was a steal of a deal on an SB-2 on eBay. I was trying to wait till the last minute to drop in my bid, however… I fell asleep with only 15min left on the auction. The winner walked away with it for $26. Anywho, now I’m back on the hunt, and just curious how people like theirs and what they think about it. ---
**Author:** ![Grendel](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/grendel/32/92975_2.png) [@Grendel](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Grendel)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2024, 3:26pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/let-s-talk-tom-kuhn-sb-2/392149/2 "2024-01-16T15:26:50Z")
I’m keeping my 95 but I’ve got a mint 96 I’d let go. I found out you don’t really need more than a couple. They are great for there age. I like the sound actually more so than other metals. ---
**Author:** ![TryCatchThrow](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/trycatchthrow/32/171307_2.png) [@TryCatchThrow](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/TryCatchThrow)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2024, 3:39pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/let-s-talk-tom-kuhn-sb-2/392149/3 "2024-01-16T15:39:21Z")
Ed has been showing off pics of a new SBX on Instagram and other places. I don’t own an SB-2 but I’m personally going to wait for this one instead: [https://www.reddit.com/r/tomkuhn/comments/194ff4u/cool\_to\_get\_the\_heads\_up\_to\_this\_place\_def\_a\_tk/](https://www.reddit.com/r/tomkuhn/comments/194ff4u/cool_to_get_the_heads_up_to_this_place_def_a_tk/) ---
**Author:** ![chrismacg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@chrismacg](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/chrismacg)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2024, 3:48pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/let-s-talk-tom-kuhn-sb-2/392149/4 "2024-01-16T15:48:53Z")
When the SB-2 was released it was a big step forward for yo-yo technology. The adjustable gap and the bearing allowed for longer spin times and more room for complex, multi-layered string tricks. Despite all these advances, the SB-2 isn’t ideal for modern, unresponsive yo-yo tricks. I like the SB-2, but I don’t play with the SB-2 as much as I do my original Silver Bullet. If I want a bearing yo-yo I have hundreds of choices that are more fun than the SB-2 (the Ti-SB or the SB-4 for example). If I want a slim-line yo-yo with more spin than my No Jives, I’ll play the original Silver Bullet. Having said all this, I’m excited to try the SB-X (SB-10?) that Ed’s been showing off. It looks like a lot of fun. ---
**Author:** ![GnarlyCharlie](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/gnarlycharlie/32/279610_2.png) [@GnarlyCharlie](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/GnarlyCharlie)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2024, 3:49pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/let-s-talk-tom-kuhn-sb-2/392149/5 "2024-01-16T15:49:42Z")
It does look cool, there’s just something so classic and appealing about the etching in the original SB2. Especially once they get really worn. ---
**Author:** ![GnarlyCharlie](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/gnarlycharlie/32/279610_2.png) [@GnarlyCharlie](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/GnarlyCharlie)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2024, 3:51pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/let-s-talk-tom-kuhn-sb-2/392149/6 "2024-01-16T15:51:15Z")
What differentiates the SB from the SB-2? ---
**Author:** ![chrismacg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@chrismacg](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/chrismacg)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2024, 3:54pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/let-s-talk-tom-kuhn-sb-2/392149/7 "2024-01-16T15:54:16Z")
The Silver Bullet has a wood axle. It’s a metal fixie. The SB-2 has a bearing and an adjustable gap. The SB-3 has a click-adjustable gap (you don’t have to unscrew it to change the gap). The SB-4 has a bearing and response pads and is more like a modern unresponsive yo-yo. The Ti-SB is made of titanium and can be set up with multiple types of response/gaps. ---
**Author:** ![chrismacg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@chrismacg](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/chrismacg)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2024, 4:09pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/let-s-talk-tom-kuhn-sb-2/392149/8 "2024-01-16T16:09:25Z")
> [@GnarlyCharlie](#): > > I fell asleep with only 15min left on the auction. I kick myself all the time for missing the end of an auction. I was planning on bidding for this one too. I want a dingy SB-2 to test laser cleaning on. That one looked perfect for it, and at $26 it was a steal. ---
**Author:** ![edhaponik](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/edhaponik/32/150896_2.png) [@edhaponik](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/edhaponik)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2024, 4:22pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/let-s-talk-tom-kuhn-sb-2/392149/9 "2024-01-16T16:22:50Z")
an absolute classic! still love mine to death and it plays like butter. (also, lest we forget… the tortoise version was the first splash anodized yo-yo!) ![IMG_7206](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/yoyoexpert1/original/4X/b/a/c/bacbbde8ea1afe41ef851d482d4c680c6b341076.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![GnarlyCharlie](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/gnarlycharlie/32/279610_2.png) [@GnarlyCharlie](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/GnarlyCharlie)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2024, 4:26pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/let-s-talk-tom-kuhn-sb-2/392149/10 "2024-01-16T16:26:13Z")
Love how worn yours looks. What style of play do you think it excels at? ---
**Author:** ![GnarlyCharlie](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/gnarlycharlie/32/279610_2.png) [@GnarlyCharlie](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/GnarlyCharlie)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2024, 4:48pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/let-s-talk-tom-kuhn-sb-2/392149/11 "2024-01-16T16:48:27Z")
@chrismacg In my mind I’m imaging it to be similar to a Deep State, just with a more classic look. Would you say I’m close? ---
**Author:** ![edhaponik](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/edhaponik/32/150896_2.png) [@edhaponik](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/edhaponik)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2024, 4:48pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/let-s-talk-tom-kuhn-sb-2/392149/12 "2024-01-16T16:48:41Z")
i like mine on the less-responsive side. still tug responsive, but not aggressive. honestly i don’t like lubing bearings, so i have a pair of worn kentaro pads in there which are like a decade old at least and a medium/wide gap. low maintenance and works perfect. i don’t think it’s as good a slimline modern responsive as a deep state/alleycat/weekender, but it comes from a different era and wasn’t intended to be. i like that i can hit such a variety of stuff on it. very satisfying player. ---
**Author:** ![GnarlyCharlie](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/gnarlycharlie/32/279610_2.png) [@GnarlyCharlie](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/GnarlyCharlie)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2024, 4:53pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/let-s-talk-tom-kuhn-sb-2/392149/13 "2024-01-16T16:53:41Z")
Interesting, this is a great review! So it plays more like a predecessor to a slim modern responsive. Which makes sense seeing as how that’s pretty much what it is. I think it’s looks are 75% of the appeal to me. ---
**Author:** ![Captrogers](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/captrogers/32/647012_2.png) [@Captrogers](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Captrogers)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2024, 5:02pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/let-s-talk-tom-kuhn-sb-2/392149/14 "2024-01-16T17:02:30Z")
Same here it’s not the playability that makes me want an sb2 I’m sure I have better yo-yos in my collection but it’s both the fact I couldn’t ever afford one when I originally was playing a raider and ogling at the pretty metal yoyo and the fact it is a stunning yoyo. ---
**Author:** ![jblack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c4cdca/32.png) [@jblack](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/jblack)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2024, 5:10pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/let-s-talk-tom-kuhn-sb-2/392149/15 "2024-01-16T17:10:34Z")
I agree that the original SB has the best feeling, combining the weight and control of aluminum on the wood axle. It’s a shame Brad has not rereleased these. The SB2 was groundbreaking and made all the better as SB2.2 with the linen response discs. Pre-response they were a bit unpredictable on return. There are now so many versions/colors of the SB2, I haven’t picked up any of the recent engravings - has anything actually changed? For me, the SB3 didn’t improve the play at all - I rarely fiddled with the gap once set on an SB2 and the SB3 was more a novelty. I totally skipped the SB4. I know, shocking for a TK collector. Wasn’t a fan of the shape, the pad printing looked cheap. At that point, it felt like there was little investment in the brand and the cache and mystique had gone. I am a little irked to have a hole in the collection through. ---
**Author:** ![Exmime](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/exmime/32/40143_2.png) [@Exmime](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Exmime)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2024, 5:21pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/let-s-talk-tom-kuhn-sb-2/392149/16 "2024-01-16T17:21:52Z")
It is such a cool yoyo and the Original Modern Responsive IMO, blasted rim edition 👌 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/yoyoexpert1/original/4X/e/4/d/e4de4cb01d3456e2524825423014f2731773b706.jpeg) > [@What are you throwing today?](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-are-you-throwing-today/296879/616): > > The Original Ball Bearing Modern Responsive Tom Kuhn SB-2 laced with TK 100% cotton type 8 string. Weighting in at 50 grams without the weight rings. ---
**Author:** ![FireMind](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/firemind/32/122767_2.png) [@FireMind](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/FireMind)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2024, 5:27pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/let-s-talk-tom-kuhn-sb-2/392149/17 "2024-01-16T17:27:00Z")
Love the look of the blasted rims been meaning to pick one up. Similar to what others have said the SB2 has a special place in yoyo history. It really started a lot of design elements that are almost taken for granted in modern play ---
**Author:** ![FireMind](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/firemind/32/122767_2.png) [@FireMind](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/FireMind)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2024, 6:14pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/let-s-talk-tom-kuhn-sb-2/392149/18 "2024-01-16T18:14:40Z")
Oh wow didn’t know there was a TK subreddit I’ve been missing out ---
**Author:** ![jblack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c4cdca/32.png) [@jblack](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/jblack)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2024, 8:56pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/let-s-talk-tom-kuhn-sb-2/392149/19 "2024-01-16T20:56:49Z")
When was the blasted rim - I’ve only seen the brushed rims and this looks far better! ---
**Author:** ![Shwa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/shwa/32/108351_2.png) [@Shwa](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Shwa)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2024, 9:58pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/let-s-talk-tom-kuhn-sb-2/392149/20 "2024-01-16T21:58:38Z")
Is there any more info avail on SBX? [Next page](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/let-s-talk-tom-kuhn-sb-2/392149.md?page=2)