so what difference does the string make

[Gambit]

I’m gonna quote myself from another thread to save me the typing time:

@Gambit

For the most part strings come in varying degrees of thickness and softness/slickness. Addressing the issue of thickness first:

Thinner strings (example: Kitty String) will tend to be a little less gentle on the fingers, however the trade off is that you can fit more wraps of string in the gap of the yoyo before it starts rubbing the response and slowing down. They don’t tend to whip or hold tension as well as thicker strings.

Thicker string (example: Fat Kitty) is more generally more comfortable to use and has more momentum behind it for slacks and whips, however it’s more likely to snag or slow down the yoyo when you put multiple layers in.

Softness/slickness wise:

A softer string (example: YYSL Ammo) will be more comfortable to use, however will not whip as well as a slicker string.

A slick string (example: Toxic String) will whip and slack very fast. The trade off is that it will be rougher on the fingers, as well as sometimes requiring a specialised knot in order to keep the loop on the finger properly.

Now obviously there’s a lot of generalisations there, but it’s just the rough guidelines to give you an idea.

Generally, the most popular options tend to be Fat Kitty:

Kitty String - 100 Count (Fat) – YoYoExpert

and Blueprint Strings (not that there’s many left in stock)

Werrd – YoYoExpert

The reason why these are so popular is because they’re good value. Cheap, but play well with middle-of-the-road characteristics. If you want a specialised string you’ll need to shell out a bit more money, but it’s not a necessity.

The string doesn’t have much of an effect on how a yoyo itself plays; A new string will feel bouncy and stretchy which can make a slight difference in feel, and a thicker string may potentially affect spin times more than a thinner one, but the yoyo itself will mostly be unaffected.

Strings are one of those things that you really need to try out for yourself. I throw YYSL Ammo exclusively (thick and soft), but just because I love it doesn’t mean other people will. I tried many many different strings before I came across one that I like and would advise you to do the same if circumstances allow.

That being said, many people stick with bulk 100% poly and it serves them just fine, so don’t feel like you need a specific kind of fancy string. As with a lot of things with this hobby, it’s more about the person throwing than the equipment they’re using.