In 2024, yoyofriends is celebrating its 8th anniversary, expressing gratitude for the support that has made this incredible journey possible. As a tradition, they release an anniversary model each year, and this time, they’re unveiling a budget bimetal design showcasing their manufacturing prowess. Opting for a 6061 bimetal instead of 7068, they drew inspiration from their successful budget yoyo, the Shortcut.
For the 8th-anniversary version, yoyofriends adopted an H-shaped structure with cutting lines similar to the Shortcut. They took a bold approach with the outer rim design, pushing it outward for a striking appearance. Despite the challenge of low contact surface area between 6061 and the SS rim, they aimed to maximize rim width and weight, enhancing bimetal power. To address potential rim shifting issues, a concave spot was added along the outer contact surface.
After player feedback on the first prototype’s excessive rim weight, adjustments were made for the final prototype, redistributing a small amount of rim weight towards the 6061 part. Released in the Black Friday Mystery Box II, the yoyo, named “Papercut,” pays homage to Linkin Park’s song which is a favorite song of some of the team members and features multiple cuts for a signature look. Yoyofriends is grateful for 8 years of support, and looks forward to many more.