So, I’ve always been a Huge one drop fan ever since i discovered them back in June. When i found out that their homebase is located in Eugene, Oregon (only an hour and a half away from where i live in Newport, Oregon) i was ecstatic. Where i live in Newport there is absolutely ZERO yoyoers. Not a single one. Since i’ve started i have learned and progressed solely from watching Andre’s videos (at first), coming to this forum, and youtube. So learning in person from other people has never been an option. So naturally when i found out about One drop i decided i absolutely HAD to go. Yesterday, after months of waiting i was finally able to. I called David from One drop on the phone and asked him about dropping by, to my surprise he said “Yeah totally!!! Come on down, we welcome visitors!!!” So me and Hannah, my girlfriend, took the road trip down there.
When i pulled up to the shop, i was greeted by a 6 unit shop building, similar to what Auto mechanics use. Who would guess the things that those mad geniuses are up to in there?!?! The only identifying mark on the whole building was a small One drop sticker by the door handle. I knocked and was greeted by David and Shawn, the geniuses behind these great yoyo. I’ve always heard they are stand up guys and love to have visitors at their shop, and it all was true!!! Some of the nicest most genuine people i’ve ever met in my life, they chatted with my girlfriend and I, and gave us a tour around the shop. Showing us all the lathes and every single process used in the making of their brilliant yoyos. I got to touch, photograph, and play with all that i saw. I was expecting friendliness but man!!! That was awesome!! I even got to play the new CODE 2 for as long as i wanted. (everybody look out for that one, its gonna be AMAZING!!)
I just felt that these guys deserved some recognition. Not only did they show us around, sell me some yoyos and let me play any yoyo out of his vast (and i mean HUUUUUGE) collection, David was also nice enough to be patient and help teach my girlfriend hannah a better way to bind. There was also another worker in the Shop named Andrew. (ando_commando on the forums) He was a super nice guy (my age, 22 yrs old) He hung out with us while david and shawn went back to work, and traded with me, and taught me new tricks. Look out for him at PNWR this year!!
All in all, i was blown away at how kind these guys were, and exactly why their yoyos are soo great. Everybody, if you haven’t tried a One drop, Do so immediately!! Also, everyone, if you are traveling through Oregon and happen to pass through Eugene, look these guys up!! They have their own forum, and on there you will find all the info you need to stop by. Seriously, outstanding human beings!!
Here are a few of the pics i took during my visit there (and yes i did ask if it was okay to do) I know they aren’t the greatest quality but whatever, here they are:
The only indicator that people are creating yoyos inside…
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/8476/1shop.jpg
A new batch of burnsides being made… Going from this, raw aluminum rods:
http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/1469/1shop4.jpg
to this…
http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/2750/1shop3.jpg
Raw burnsides, being spat out of the lathe. Fresh from being machined. Amazing!!
and then on to the Pyramatting (though there is a few steps in between of course)
http://img641.imageshack.us/img641/5816/1shop6.jpg
and eventually they become this:
http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/5733/1ods4.jpg
I took more pictures, but it would take forever to upload them all. It was truly awesome, and fascinating to see first hand the process from start to finish. It was very kind of them to walk us through and explain everything to us patiently. Im definetely going again!! They also have a weekly yoyo club that meets every friday in Eugene. Go to their forum for more details. Seriously, if you get a chance, stop in there. No matter how long of a drive it is, trust me it is worth it! I’m still talking about it, even though it was yesterday. Hannah is telling me to shut up about it. Hahaha! You’ll just have to see for yourself!
Thanks David, Shawn, and Andrew!!!
