My current throw is a YoyoFactory Replay Pro. I’m looking to get a metal yoyo soon. I can probably justify $50-60 to the wife. I live just up the I-5 from One Drop and would love to support local. But which should I get? (Currently working on The Matrix. Have the Plastic whip down.)
I prefer something with a little larger diameter. I had a DV888, but it just was a little small for me.
Looking at:
Vanguard
2013-14 Benchmark Series
Maybe the Downbeat.
Rally (Though it’s plastic. Is it an upgrade from the Replay?)
Another question is, is there a significant difference in performance between the different shapes? All I’ve been able to find is that it is personal preference. My only experience (besides old school Duncans) are the DV888 and my Replay.
I have a vanguard and really enjoy it. I might get a Benchmark W or V shape at some point but the Markmont Classic and the rebirth will come first.
I also went from the Replay Pro to the Vanguard and its i good step up in my opinion. The Benchmark series is lighter than the Vanguard and you can swap out the Side effects for weight change or incase of damage to the threads, so thats something else to think about.
Whichever one you get you will love the smoothness and the great response pads this company provides with its yoyos
I started with the DV888 too. Since then, I was lucky enough to get one of the second run OD Terrarians (Moon Lord) and I love it. There really is a huge difference between the DV888 and what One Drop produces. Umm, you really do get more for your money…
There might even still be a Terraian out there in the wide wide universe although it looks like YYE is sold out.
So I contacted One Drop directly to find out if they sell directly from the shop. They do! AND they are giving me and my boys a tour of the place! AND they are holding on to a Terrarian for me! Since I’m going to be there, I may have to pick up a Markmont Classic as well…
Had my visit to the One Drop shop on Friday. Got to spend the afternoon with Paul Dang. Seriously cool guy. I had my two young sons with me and he included them in every step of the tour, etc. While we were there, they were taking the new Top Decks out of the polisher and packing them up to be shipped to the anodizer. Going to be a very cool throw.
Afterwards, we got to play with their yoyo “museum.” Literally 1000+ yoyo of all makes and models. Paul took the time to shorten strings for both boys and even got down on a knee and taught my 6-year-old the bind. My 6-YEAR-OLD is now using an unresponsive yoyo because Paul took the time to teach him. Guess what they are BOTH asking for for their birthdays now? I got to play with the new Gauntlet and a prototype delrin yoyo they are working on.
If I had the cash I would have come home with one of each. The Format C was a blast to throw, as was the T1. The Downbeat is a monster that I’m going to have to work up to. Ended up coming home with a Terrarian, a Markmont Classic, and a Vanguard. Plus Paul threw in extra 10-ball bearings, side effects, lube, flow response, and stickers.
Needless to say we are now customers for life. If you are ever in Eugene, OR, the shop is a must visit.
Very cool story. I was fortunate enough to meet Paul at NH States last year, you summed it up, super cool guy. Someone wanted to see a Ti yoyo spark, so Paul took a group outside and put on a spark show with his CiTizen. He let everyone who wanted throw anything he had with him, and was playing 4a catch with my son.
Between the people and products, One Drop does it right!
The Terrarian is Surface Grass (I think). Green base with yellow and silver. It’s been my go-to so far, though I LOVE the feel of the Markmont in my hand. I picked up the Vanguard mainly for the colorway and for my boys to mess around with.
