Yo-Yo Shapes 2 of 3: The Butterfly

This time I will introduce to you a yo-yo shape that modern players are definitely familiar with: The Butterfly!

A butterfly shaped yo-yo basically looks like an imperial yo-yo, cut in half, and reassembled backwards! Somewhat like this:

 The YoYoFactory FAST201

Debuting in 1958, the butterfly has a wider string gap to make it easier to catch the yo-yo body on the string. Although the butterfly shape is good for 'string tricks" like the Braintwister, Man on the Flying Trapeze and Splitting the Atom. However, it is not good for 'looping' tricks like Loop-the-Loop and Hopping the Fence, because the winged shape of the body does not allow it to easily flip while looping.

This shape is similar to a small Diabolo, sometimes called a Chinese yo-yo.

More on yo-yo shapes coming up soon! Keep a lookout for more! :)

OVER AND OUT!

Yo-Yo Shapes 1 of 3: The Imperial

As you've probably noticed in the market today, yo-yos exists in various shapes and sizes. To the casual observer and newcomer, they all seem the same. BUT, if you're looking to pick a yo-yo that suits your style of play and the tricks that you want to do, then, the shape plays a huge factor in your decision making process.

If I were to thorougly explain all the various shapes and sizes of the yo-yos here, my fingers would probably be calloused and the keyboard worn out. So I will talk about the first of three common yo-yo shapes - The Imperial.

The Imperial shape is often considered the original yo-yo shape, and is very commonly recognized. It is sometimes called a sculpted design. The shape's design is helpful in performing looping tricks. It was first produced by a man named Pedro Flores who is also the first person to mass-produce yo-yo. Most, if not all the older yo-yos have adopted this idea, namely, the more popular Hyper Russel. However, in 1929, Duncan bought over the rights to the design and have produced modern, high-tech yo-yos like the beloved Imperial yo-yo and the Speed Beetle.

More little known facts about yo-yo shapes next time! Watch this space!

Over and out!