It’s time for a massive update!
Plumpy V2 Testing!
We’ve arrived, case closed, pack it up, this is it!
When @AudreySickburn at Return Bottoms dropped the V1 prototype in my lap, they practically nailed my dream on the first try. But V2 is where the slight fine-tuned mad scientist magic really happened.
I wanted a yoyo that didn’t really exist in the current marketplace (or even much in the past). As an old-head who loves oversized, bubbly, schoolyard-legend throws, and who occasionally likes to dabble in unresponsive play, I wanted something that bridged all that together in a single package.
The primary goal was a big ol’ chunker of a responsive throw that was built around performing on a full-sized, lubed-up C-bearing. We weren’t talking slender Modern Responsive stuff here, but Chunky, Plumpy, and Unapologetic. That said, I also wanted something where I could throw in a dry bearing on a whim and throw some unresponsive play in the mix as well.
As a lover of classic response, I wanted it just loose enough for flowy play, but snappy when you need it. If you’re going the unresponsive route, fair warning, she’s got a little bite out of the box! Give the pads a tiny bit of break-in time, or run a thinner string. If you’re impatient, you can always go full vintage and pull a pad, though personally, both pads with a standard string after some break-in was the absolute sweet spot for me. We intentionally kept the gap tight because loosening it further would’ve compromised the responsive play, and responsive was the main quest-line.
(If you want to see the original V1 prototype getting put through its various styles, check out the V1 testing video here: https://youtu.be/1_nHw_GxHwk)
What’s new for V2?
I absolutely haven’t been able to put this thing down. For V2, we shaved a little mass off the walls and shifted it straight to some nice, fat lips (I love a good IGR, and yes, thumb grinds are still cool!). That weight redistribution gave it a noticeable boost in power, stability, and spin time.
She’s a biggun, ESPECIALLY for a responsive. 58mm D x 48.25mm W x 69g (giggity).
Despite those beefy specs, it doesn’t play heavy at all! In fact, our proto testers refused to believe it at first. I even played a little Modern Responsive on a special edition golden version that accidentally came out to 90g (included in the video)!
And don’t worry, the Hippo Nippos are still fully prominent, and the walls are still more than thick enough to handle bumps and bruises along the way.
If you want a beefy, oversized responsive the likes of which you haven’t seen before, that’s still unresponsive capable as well, then “Let’s Get Plumpy!”
As mentioned previously as well:
Profits for this design will support the Dogs for Better Lives (DBL) organization.
They rescue dogs from shelters and train them to be Hearing Assistance, Autism Support, Facility dogs, etc. Giving them a special education, then placing them for adoption into a home where they become a life-saving partner.
This is an excellent organization, because not only are they saving animals, but it roughly costs tens of thousands of dollars to train and place just one service dog, and they help provide these animals to those in need free-of-charge. Additionally, 100% of public donations go directly to their programs.
Quick Note: Apologies for some of the extreme close-ups, it was 97°F with a real-feel of 110°F, so I was constantly fighting the sun. 