# Why are CLYW yoyos so popular?
**URL:** https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/why-are-clyw-yoyos-so-popular/66158
**Category:** General Yo-Yo
**Created:** [May 12, 2014, 3:29am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/why-are-clyw-yoyos-so-popular/66158 "2014-05-12T03:29:28Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 2
### Author:  [@GregP](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/GregP)
#### Post date: [May 12, 2014, 5:06pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/why-are-clyw-yoyos-so-popular/66158/21 "2014-05-12T17:06:48Z")
> [@Yoyo](#):
>
> People complain about prices because all Clyw used to be $115, except for the campfire which was $75.
No, people complain because… People?
---
### Author:  [@UsagiCat](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/UsagiCat)
#### Post date: [May 12, 2014, 5:23pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/why-are-clyw-yoyos-so-popular/66158/22 "2014-05-12T17:23:01Z")
I just like good yoyos
---
### Author:  [@JaredOverstreet](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/JaredOverstreet)
#### Post date: [May 12, 2014, 5:43pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/why-are-clyw-yoyos-so-popular/66158/23 "2014-05-12T17:43:03Z")
> [@Palli](#):
>
> . The Puffin character is actually based of myself so that explains why his passion for pizza is so much. I’ve been making pizzas for 6 years, have a big passion for it and would actually dare to say that I might be a better pizza maker than a yoyoer.
Still a better love story than Twilight™
OT:
To best understand why CLYW are so ‘Popular’ let’s look at the Wikidefinition of popularity:
```
"Popularity is a social phenomenon that dictates who or what is best liked, sometimes referred to as in vogue. Through [b]peer influence[/b], target objects can quickly skyrocket in how pervasive they are in society. The more pervasive something is, the more people have access to it. Since [b]popularity is judged in a social context[/b], the more people who [b]support or know something or someone[/b], the more popular it will then be judged. "
So, I've put the important parts of that in bold. A lot of the members on CLYW, are also active members of the yoyoing community, worldwide. They have been around longer than a lot of the companies that exist, and have proven themselves to the community via competitive scores, helpful insight and in general being contributive. Yoyoing is a very social hobby, with meets and competitions and forums, etc. People know the players. They know the company. Because of this, it is popular.
To further expand on this, however, it is worth defining a form of popularity; Perceived Popularity.
```
“Perceived popularity is a characteristic used to describe individuals who are well known for being popular.”
```
Everybody knows CLYW is popular, and so because of that, CLYW is popular.
```
My personal opinion is that CLYW makes quality throws. I hate the Peak and Gnarwhal, but I LOVE the Summit, Chief, Sasquatch and Yeti. Every ‘return top’ they make is unique and plays to different preferences.
---
### Author:  [@abby1371](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/abby1371)
#### Post date: [May 12, 2014, 7:00pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/why-are-clyw-yoyos-so-popular/66158/24 "2014-05-12T19:00:36Z")
It’s mostly hype it’s always has. I know this at a Yoyo club I used to go to a kid that could barely do rewind said and I reenact:
Yoyo kid: now the the best brand ever is CLYW
Me: have you tried one of their yo-yos before? (mind you I have)
Yoyo kid: no
Me: then why do you think there the best if you never tried one?
Yoyo kid: cause everyone else talks about them.
So yeah when everyone else talks about them people believe it even when they haven’t tried any of their yoyos. that and the company
Makes lots of yoyos and such a big deal.
---
### Author:  [@yoyo\_yizzo](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/yoyo_yizzo)
#### Post date: [May 12, 2014, 7:11pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/why-are-clyw-yoyos-so-popular/66158/25 "2014-05-12T19:11:28Z")
> [@Shai\_Hulud](#):
>
> I’ve thrown CLYWs. I don’t even remember which ones because I was so unimpressed. They might be decent throws but at $130 - $180 they should be phenomenal. In my opinion they aren’t.
>
> It’s _kind_ of a matter of opinion as to their competitive qualities. Some have slightly better shapes than others like Summit and Arctic Circle 2 while others like Wooly Marmot 2 would fail. Mainly I draw this conclusion though by the fact that nobody wins major contests with CLYWs or even places particularly high except Zach Gormley, AFAIK. And his signature the Arctic Circle has a better shape than most CLYWs.
>
> Were CLYW really the first company to do splash designs?
>
> A) I find this hard to believe
> B) It’s not really a good thing if they did. Yoyos used to look way more artistic like the Hspin designs for instance and now most of the North American brands are all about the same boring splashes and acid washes.
>
> @yoyo-yizzo
>
> How can you guarantee they’re as good as what I’m throwing if you don’t know what I’m throwing? I’m currently throwing YYR Draupnir, YYR Laser, YYM Agonist, Auldey Ares Star, and Turning Point Prominence. CLYW yoyos are not this good. Maybe they’re more “fun” to some people but to me the most fun yoyos are the ones that play the best.
>
> Bottom line…I’m not saying CLYW makes bad yoyos. The ones I’ve tried were relatively good and I’m sure the rest are too. But they’re also overhyped, overpriced, with stagnant designs, both in specs and artistically. In my opinion.
>
> But the Puffin 2’s will be gone in a day or two, and the next CLYW will be hyped like crazy and it will sell it out in a few days as well. Meanwhile equally good or better companies struggle to move a handful of yoyos in North America.
>
> @ Palli, I know CLYWs are popular in Japan too. I see them sell out quite quickly on the major Japanese sites. Japanese players love them because they differ from most Japanese yoyos, probably. But nobody is using them in their competitions.
well first off the clyw yo that disappointed wasn’t yours was it?
And yeah it may be overhyped but i don’t feel there overpriced and there splashes are awsome idk why your being negative
if you ever played with more then 1 CLYW you wouldn’t have posted this thread
maybe you rather spend $150 on a YYR then A Clyw
clyw is all I throw. Not to brag or nothing but it’s the brand I stand by
And I never touched a yo you said that’s better then CLYW
Because I support CLYW to the Fullest ;D
---
### Author:  [@unklesteve](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/unklesteve)
#### Post date: [May 12, 2014, 7:18pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/why-are-clyw-yoyos-so-popular/66158/26 "2014-05-12T19:18:41Z")
Oh hey, this thread again.
[ ](https://64.media.tumblr.com/9b70465e02f5f8e8f5f4c8070b2618b1/tumblr_n3noq7BKPS1sm73m6o1_400.gif)
---
### Author:  [@Shai\_Hulud](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Shai_Hulud)
#### Post date: [May 12, 2014, 7:51pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/why-are-clyw-yoyos-so-popular/66158/27 "2014-05-12T19:51:24Z")
> [@Elluzion](#):
>
> Art, comics, unique!, team created throws, hold value well in BST, cool history, great team members, evolutionary progress (revitalizing their former popular throws), and chris (the owner) is a transparent easy going guy.
>
> And for the record, people need to stop complaining about the prices, they are on par with high end japanese throws, and if you really want a CLYW you can get used fools gold for cheap
Personally I think while the prices are on par with high-end Japanese throws, CLYW yoyos are not. And that’s the issue. If they were sold for $80 - $110 they’d be on par with their competitors. They’re all just good 6061 yoyos. And you can find good 6061 yoyos (possibly better) for $80.
My issue is why they are so popular given the prices.
I agree with most of what JaredOverstreet said. They’re so popular because of marketing and social contagion.
And yeah, they’re good throws. But so is almost every yoyo priced over $100, and many priced under.
Anyway, I didn’t mean to repeat past discussions. I’ve only been posting here a month. Therefore I won’t push the thread any further. I was just curious, but I realized before even making the thread I would have an extreme minority opinion, by definition.
---
### Author:  [@GregP](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/GregP)
#### Post date: [May 12, 2014, 8:05pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/why-are-clyw-yoyos-so-popular/66158/28 "2014-05-12T20:05:52Z")
“Better”, as most people are aware, is utterly subjective.
I can afford “high end Japanese throws,” and I am interested in many of them! But I’ve played several of them and have made my choices based on what I enjoy. As it happens, there’s not a YYR or TP in my collection (yet), while there are 4 CLYW yoyos.
So called “high-performance” yoyos can sometimes be boring. Solid, amazing spin time, incredible stability. Bland. I don’t need bland. I play with toys for fun. 🙂 That said, Puffin 2 in particular shares a lot in common with “high end Japanese throws,” which maybe explains why a lot of the time I will still reach for the original Puffin instead of the 2!
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### Author:  [@JetEyeNight](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/JetEyeNight)
#### Post date: [May 12, 2014, 9:37pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/why-are-clyw-yoyos-so-popular/66158/29 "2014-05-12T21:37:08Z")
> [@Shai\_Hulud](#):
>
> Why do yoyos like the bonfire, wooly marmot 2, puffin 2, etc., sell out super fast? They don’t perform as well as similarly priced Japanese yoyos, or many others. They use the same splash patterns over and over and charge $10 - $30 more for the better looking ones. Granted, their splashes look better than average, but that’s not saying much.
>
> They all have the same organic/slight V cut shape. Their diameter to width ratio is always really low, when competitive models are moving in the other direction. It seems like they just tweak the weight/diameter/width specs a bit for each release, which releases occur more often than most companies of similar size, put out the same splash patterns plus maybe a couple new ones for $30 each, and they all sell out regardless.
>
> What am I missing? Is a Wooly Marmot 2 better than the Positron 2, for instance? You would certainly think so given how they sell. Or are they just more “fun” because they have goofy parrots who like pizza and nostalgic wide organic shapes, etc.?
Don’t worry about it. If you don’t get it, then you don’t get it. No one can teach you to “get it”. It’s preference. Not everyone is looking for Turning Point. While performance beasts, they often lack personality. CLYW has personality in spades.
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### Author:  [@Nikolai](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Nikolai)
#### Post date: [May 12, 2014, 10:06pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/why-are-clyw-yoyos-so-popular/66158/30 "2014-05-12T22:06:13Z")
CLYWs speak for themselves.
I’m sure if you tried a bunch of raw unanodized yoyos, from many different manufacturers without knowing which were which you would probably have many of your favourites be CLYW. To me, it seems the original post has a predisposition to dislike caribou lodge.
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### Author:  [@Coffelt](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Coffelt)
#### Post date: [May 13, 2014, 12:56am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/why-are-clyw-yoyos-so-popular/66158/31 "2014-05-13T00:56:23Z")
Monitoring trends in preference and well engineered marketing equals the machine that is CLYW. Many other companies that were ahead of the curve I machining without the hype have since died. GeneralYo is probably the only company that sells out as easily. Obviously is different as it is driven mostly by passion (not that the Canadians don’t have passion). SPYY made some of the greatest yoyos that future players may never throw.
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### Author:  [@Pat.C](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Pat.C)
#### Post date: [May 13, 2014, 10:16pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/why-are-clyw-yoyos-so-popular/66158/32 "2014-05-13T22:16:50Z")
The lodge makes really dope yoyos, whether you think they’re “competition ready” or not. Like Palli said it’s all about the skill of the player.
I think clyw is popular because their team is full of super cool guys who do super cool tricks. That’s a winning combo for sure!!
---
### Author:  [@mr.nightshadow95](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/mr.nightshadow95)
#### Post date: [May 13, 2014, 11:42pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/why-are-clyw-yoyos-so-popular/66158/33 "2014-05-13T23:42:47Z")
They’re good yoyos. The only thing is maybe a little over priced but I like their quality
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### Author:  [@yoyoavenger](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/yoyoavenger)
#### Post date: [May 13, 2014, 11:51pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/why-are-clyw-yoyos-so-popular/66158/34 "2014-05-13T23:51:00Z")
> [@Shai\_Hulud](#):
>
> I’ve thrown CLYWs. I don’t even remember which ones because I was so unimpressed. They might be decent throws but at $130 - $180 they should be phenomenal. In my opinion they aren’t.
>
> It’s _kind_ of a matter of opinion as to their competitive qualities. Some have slightly better shapes than others like Summit and Arctic Circle 2 while others like Wooly Marmot 2 would fail. Mainly I draw this conclusion though by the fact that nobody wins major contests with CLYWs or even places particularly high except Zach Gormley, AFAIK. And his signature the Arctic Circle has a better shape than most CLYWs.
>
> Were CLYW really the first company to do splash designs?
>
> A) I find this hard to believe
> B) It’s not really a good thing if they did. Yoyos used to look way more artistic like the Hspin designs for instance and now most of the North American brands are all about the same boring splashes and acid washes.
>
> @yoyo-yizzo
>
> How can you guarantee they’re as good as what I’m throwing if you don’t know what I’m throwing? I’m currently throwing YYR Draupnir, YYR Laser, YYM Agonist, Auldey Ares Star, and Turning Point Prominence. CLYW yoyos are not this good. Maybe they’re more “fun” to some people but to me the most fun yoyos are the ones that play the best.
>
> Bottom line…I’m not saying CLYW makes bad yoyos. The ones I’ve tried were relatively good and I’m sure the rest are too. But they’re also overhyped, overpriced, with stagnant designs, both in specs and artistically. In my opinion.
>
> But the Puffin 2’s will be gone in a day or two, and the next CLYW will be hyped like crazy and it will sell it out in a few days as well. Meanwhile equally good or better companies struggle to move a handful of yoyos in North America.
>
> @ Palli, I know CLYWs are popular in Japan too. I see them sell out quite quickly on the major Japanese sites. Japanese players love them because they differ from most Japanese yoyos, probably. But nobody is using them in their competitions.
To me it sounds like instead of making this a thread discussing CLYW’s popularity, as the title would suggest, you created this thread to start a conversation in which you could exhibit your own personal opinions and contest with others about who is right and who is wrong. The title of this thread should be, “Do you like CLYWs? If so then listen to me about why you’re wrong.”
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### Author:  [@burdger](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/burdger)
#### Post date: [May 14, 2014, 12:24am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/why-are-clyw-yoyos-so-popular/66158/35 "2014-05-14T00:24:53Z")
I’ve wondered the same thing for a while. I’ve tried most CLYW’S now, and have just, today actually, found one I really like. I keep trying them for a few reasons:
1. There is hype there for some reason. Plenty of people have said they like this CLYW or that CLYW for some reason. 8 felt like I had to find one I liked eventually.
2. If you keep your eyes open, you’ll find most of them, eventually, for a good price in the bst, and you can always get your money’s worth back if you don’t like it.
3. You can’t deny that they have character. The throws themselves, although not my favorite so far, are fun, sometimes even just to look at.
Now, up to this point, I have owned multiple Yetis and Chefs because they seem to be the most hyped, and the easiest to get for a good price while guaranteeing you can get you money back. I really haven’t liked them much. Actually, my favorite was a Fools’ Gold Cheif. I’ve also owned a Cliff, Glacier Express, Avalanche, Gnarwhal, and now a Puffin. All have been ok, but the Gnarwhal was the first that I really enjoyed, and finally today, the Puffin is a throw I plan on always having in my collection.
That went on way longer than I had planned. I’ll stop now. Sorry.
---
### Author:  [@Shai\_Hulud](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Shai_Hulud)
#### Post date: [May 14, 2014, 12:57am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/why-are-clyw-yoyos-so-popular/66158/36 "2014-05-14T00:57:43Z")
> [@yoyoavenger](#):
>
> To me it sounds like instead of making this a thread discussing CLYW’s popularity, as the title would suggest, you created this thread to start a conversation in which you could exhibit your own personal opinions and contest with others about who is right and who is wrong. The title of this thread should be, “Do you like CLYWs? If so then listen to me about why you’re wrong.”
No…to sum up what I said, I thought they don’t perform as well as similarly priced yoyos from other companies and have uninspired designs. I admitted it was an opinion and knew it was a minority opinion by definition.
How can it be “wrong” to like a brand of yoyos? I never said anything like that.
I just wanted to figure out why they’re so popular and I think I have. The End.
---
### Author:  [@GoCrazyForYoyo](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/GoCrazyForYoyo)
#### Post date: [May 14, 2014, 2:34am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/why-are-clyw-yoyos-so-popular/66158/37 "2014-05-14T02:34:45Z")
People waste time hating on companies they don’t even play.
#CheckYoSelf.
---
### Author:  [@mr.nightshadow95](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/mr.nightshadow95)
#### Post date: [May 14, 2014, 2:35am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/why-are-clyw-yoyos-so-popular/66158/38 "2014-05-14T02:35:53Z")
> [@GoCrazyForYoyo](#):
>
> People waste time hating on companies they don’t even play.
>
> #CheckYoSelf.
Yeah unfortunately, but the OP was not stating hate. He simply just wanted to know what made them so popular.
---
### Author:  [@GoCrazyForYoyo](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/GoCrazyForYoyo)
#### Post date: [May 14, 2014, 2:53am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/why-are-clyw-yoyos-so-popular/66158/39 "2014-05-14T02:53:02Z")
> [@mr.nightshadow95](#):
>
> Yeah unfortunately, but the OP was not stating hate. He simply just wanted to know what made them so popular.
I wasn’t addressing the OP directly, but after re-reading the OP I think my post applies. The OP uses the guise of questioning popularity to unleash some loaded criticism. I don’t play CLYW. So I don’t go around criticizing there colorways, marketing, or lack of dedication to ultra-competition friendly yoyos.
---
### Author:  [@Shai\_Hulud](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Shai_Hulud)
#### Post date: [May 14, 2014, 3:04am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/why-are-clyw-yoyos-so-popular/66158/40 "2014-05-14T03:04:46Z")
> [@mr.nightshadow95](#):
>
> Yeah unfortunately, but the OP was not stating hate. He simply just wanted to know what made them so popular.
Thanks for being one of a handful of people to not vastly misconstrue my posts.
Also, to most everyone else… I’m a fair man. It’s possible I judged CLYW as a company too quickly. That said, I’m planning on buying a CLYW yoyo to see if I can understand the “fun” aspect better. Of all the ones I’ve looked at I like the specs on the Cliff the best. I like H-profiles more than organics and the Cliff was built for a 5A player so I figure it would be a good choice.
What do you all think? Is there a particular yoyo that epitomizes the CLYW experience?
EDIT: @ GCFY, Maybe I stepped over some social bounds or courtesies held within the yoyo community or something. I have a hard time understanding such things, or why people take umbrage at light criticism of their favorite products, etc., because I’m autistic. It was not my intent to “pick fights” but merely to ask a question and engage in light debate, but some people seem to have taken this personally. I’m not a “hater” and don’t appreciate the perhaps dozen or so times it’s been said in this thread based on distortions and exaggerations of what I actually have said.
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