I’ve been getting deeper into yo-yoing recently and I’m looking to pick up my first bimetal yo-yo. I’ve been playing for a while and currently use a YoYoFactory Shutter, which I absolutely love. I’ve had it for about 8 years, so I figured it might finally be time for an upgrade.
The bimetals I’m most interested in right now are:
Offset Logic 2, Offset Outlier 6, Shutter Elite
The Offset throws especially caught my attention because of their competition focus and wide designs. For example, the Outlier 6 has a very wide (~60 mm) body and stainless steel rims for long spin times and stability.
If anyone here has one of these and would be open to selling or trading, I’d love to talk. I’m also open to other interesting bimetals if you think there’s something I should consider.
I’d also really appreciate any advice for buying a first bimetal—things like:
Good beginner-friendly bimetals
What to look for in terms of width/stability
Models that are durable for everyday play
For context, I’m comfortable with mounts like Double or Nothing, working on whips and slack tricks, and generally trying to push into more advanced combos.
Hey! The difference between 44mm wide and 60 will be insane. Even 5mm is a big difference. I prefer 47-52mm, I think it’s a nice balance. Tricks where you have to move the yoyo between strings is easier on thinner yoyos..couldn’t imagine trying to do something like white buddha on a 60mm wide yoyo. That’s not to say don’t go for it, but it is made for a different trick style. The shutter elite should feel familiar while still being different enough to own both.
Most yoyos/brands today are good, just have to find the design/size you like. Weight distro and shape play a big role. Just try to see what you like about your yoyos and why. Like the shutter has a lot of weight in the center and looks like an H-shape. Shutter elite is more rim weighted, but will still have the Gentry “feel” to it. There’s more to it than that (like the YYFr netrunner and peregrine x play very different even though they look the same visually), so you’ll just have to use some to figure out what you really like.
I personally don’t look at durability, each yoyo I have is made well, and I try to avoid dinging them, so durability isn’t an issue.
I wasn’t a fan of the Shutter, I preferred the Horizon, I dislike dense feeling yoyos, I like rim weight and yoyos that feel floaty (different from light weight, though they are similar). People say rim weight makes yoyos feel dense, but I don’t think it’s a direct correlation, I’ve disliked dense feeling yoyos that are both rim and center weighted. Where the SS is located does make a difference too in how you feel the weight of the material. Mid rings (I think that’s what they’re called) like the Shutter elite, is a sheet of metal pressed on in that spot, is the least noticeable because of the amount of SS used. Outer rings like the YYF R4 or inner rings like the Akita use more SS and so you’ll notice more of a difference that it’s a bimetal. Most go for outer or inner rings for that reason, but all three are good (I really like G2’s Area51).
My brand recommendations are yoyofriends, I have the netrunner and peregrine x. I’ve heard good things of the hummingbird 2 as well. W1ld is a good brand, same with OD (they have a bimetal coming out sometime). Caribou Lodge’s Akita looks similar to the shutter elite, though they’d play different, but I think you’d like both. G2 has good yoyos as well.
That’s a lot but I hope it helps! Pm if you have any questions
