Yo-yo Basics
There are so many different types of yoyos; it can be difficult to pick the best one to fit you. Yoyos are made from wood, plastic, and metal. There are a many sizes. Some are as small as a United States Quarter. Some are as large as a softball. There are four basic types of play:
1.String play, known as 1a
2. Two Looping yoyos, known as 2a
3. Two sleeping yoyos, known as 3a
4. Off string, known as 4a
5. Counter weight play, known as 5a
Most yo-yos can be grouped generally into three shape categories. We will discuss the three shapes of the yo-yo, followed by the four axle types. We hope this information will help you find the best yo-yo for your needs.
When a person acquires an interest in yoyos, they usually start by buying a classical shape yoyo with a fixed wooden axle. You can develop a feel for the yoyo. The throw down – the catch –the comfortable string length – the basic yoyo tricks - the neutral string wrap and the fun of the yoyo can be accomplished with this basic yoyo.
Next, a person usually wants to develop more tricks and feels a more advanced yoyo is required. The modified yoyo shape is probably the best move. The modified shape is a combination of the two other shapes – classic and butterfly. It can let you do several string and loop tricks. The modified shape yoyo will allow you to learn all the looping tricks. If you want to advance in string tricks you will need the next shape yoyo.
The butterfly shaped yoyo got its name from the butterfly insect. When a butterfly insect opens its wings the shape that is made is the shape of the butterfly shaped yoyo. This butterfly shape creates a wide string gap and makes it easier for the person to land the yoyo in the string gap and perform a trick.
Common Yo-yo Shapes
Classic Shape:
The oldest and most widely known shape is the Classic. It is also known as the imperial and traditional shape. The Classic shape has a narrow string gap and body. These features make it ideal for looping. Because of its narrow body and its quick response, It is the best yoyo for beginner.
Wing Shape:
The Butterfly shaped yoyo is the most popular yoyo among the intermediate and advanced players. The Butterfly is also known as the Wing shape. From the side view it looks like a butterfly insect with its wings extended, thus its name – Butterfly. The advantage of the Butterfly shaped yoyo over the other shapes is it has a wide string gap. The wider the string gap the easier it is to land the yoyo on the string. Many yoyo string tricks require the landing of the yoyo on the extended parts of the string a multitude of times. Advanced string tricks also require long sleep times and the wide string gap makes it possible to put large efficient bearings in the yoyo producing sleep times well over 5 minutes.
Modified Shape:
The blend between the Classic shape and the Butterfly shape is the Modified shape sometimes called the Modern shape. The Modified shape allows for string tricks because the rims are rounded for easier landing and sensed the rims are thicker, the additional weight produces longer sleep times. Yet the slim body makes looping easier than the Butterfly shape.
Yo-yo Axle Types
Fixed Axle:
A fixed axle is a yoyo where the body and the axle are attached and move together. They act as though they were one piece and in some yoyos they are. Most fixed axles are made of wood but some are made of metal. The Classic shaped yoyos mostly use fixed wooden axles.
Transaxle:
The Transaxle yoyo has two cylinders an outer cylinder and inner cylinder which move independently from each other. The outer cylinder is the Transaxle which spins around the inner cylinder (fixed) axle. The bottom loop of the string covers the outer cylinder. The Transaxle gives the yoyo a better sleep than the Fixed axle. This better sleep makes tricks possible that would not be possible with the Fixed Axle.
Ball Bearing:
The Ball Bearing axle uses ball bearings between the Transaxle and inner axle. This Ball Bearing configuration makes the yoyo have less friction, more sleep time, less responsive and better at string tricks. It has been found that Transaxles sleep longer than Fixed axles and Ball Bearing sleep longer than Transaxles.
Clutch Transaxles:
The Clutch Transaxle is simply a clutch which opens up to allow the yoyo to sleep when the yoyo is spinning at high speeds, but as the yoyo slows the clutch activates, stopping the transaxle from spinning and returning the yoyo to the hand. In some cases this is a handy feature. Returning the yoyo automatically can save you having a dead yoyo. In other situations, you may want to control when the yoyo returns because early return may prevent the completing of a trick.