Living just down the highway from the shop, team member Jt Nickel visits frequently with new stories and tricks to share. He is a walking encyclopedia and plays a huge role in testing prototypes we have scattered around here. After months of behind the scenes testing, we are pleased to finally share with everyone Jt’s signature yo-yo, the Top Deck.
When we sat down to design the Top Deck with Jt, the focus was on pure performance. Taking inspiration from our titanium yo-yo, the Citizen, where we took advantage of the material by making a very thin body to help shift weight to the rim. We decided to use 7075 aluminum alloy, which has more density and strength than the usual 6061, so that we could push the limits on the weight distribution in a similar way that we did on the Citizen.
Here is how Jt describes it:
“I wanted the Top Deck to move with ease and grace, similar to the Summit, but with a little more stability, for that extra edge during a session. We came up with a design that incorporated a mid-weight step (like the summit) but distributed the rest of the weight into the rim. Combined with an organic catch zone and the false rim look from the Cascade, the end result gave me my absolute favorite yo-yo to date. Fast, stable, comfortable, and made out of 7075 for some extra kick as well!”
7075 aluminum alloy is much more expensive than 6061. Because of this our previous 7075 models (Valor and Format:C) retailed for $120. Using techniques we pioneered to achieve incredible value on models like the Benchmarks, the Vanguard and the Gauntlet, we were able to find a way to have the Top Deck retail for $79 without sacrificing quality. We are continuing to push the limit on the value while making our yo-yos in house in Eugene, Oregon, USA.
This is such a well done, phenomenal yoyo. I’m seriously blown away that it’s going to be $79 - that is a ridiculously incredible price for such a wickedly awesome yoyo.
