ChristopherK's blog

I wanted to let you all know that Samm Scott and HSPIN have parted ways.
It's been two great years with Samm and I wish him nothing but the best for his yoyoing future.
Thanks Samm!
ChrisK

Over here in Europe we were extremly sad not to be able to witness this year's BLC contest with a new record of participants, with a lot of entertaining features and most of all...

...with the audience judging side by side to the real judges using any browser-cabaple handheld device!

Exactly. The audience could vote and did vote for their very own winners. HSPIN sponsored the development and implementation of the infrastructure of this very nice feature.

With great pride and applause, let me name the People's winners of the BLC 2010 and join me in congratulating them:

Rookie Division (4 way tie):
Dawson Schaefer
Ibrahim Itani
Julian Lach
Nick Kormos

1A:
Daniel Mizell

2A:
Yoshi Mikamoto

3A:
Elliot Ostergaard

4A:
Daniel Mizell

5A:
Daniel Mizell

We will be in touch with the event organizers to reward these fine players,

ChrisK

Shinya is one of our most far away supporters. It is always difficult to maintain a solid relationship with someone so far away. Which is why it comes from our hearts congratulating our very own Shinya Azuma for scoring 6th place during the Japanese Nationals 2010. Given the level of competitiveness among Japanese players (and Japan-made yoyos) this is an amazing (!) result for both Shinya and HSPIN!

Thank you SHINYA!

Shinya uses his own blue frackled signature edition CUT.

I am very excited to say that the ICON is expected to ship at the beginning of June 2010. We recommend you to start screening your favourite retailer's online shop for its arrival, where you will be able to obtain both the red and the gold option.
Alternatively, you can acquire the gold version from hspin.com here.

Price: USD 59

Magl33To's PREFERENCES: This yoyo marks the debut of a new era. HSPIN NETWORK members will influence the design of our yoyos more than ever, and more than most manufacturers allow players to contribute. This particular yoyo is based on the preferences of MagL33To from the UK. The design of the ICON logo is courtesy of Simmy, also from the UK.

NEW COATING FOR CORE SERIES YOYOS: The ICON will see the release of the new coating for our Core Series yoyos, that allows for maximum smoothness to the touch. The finish is much smoother than that of the BeySick and has proven to be excellent for all kinds of grinds.

POLISHED GAP SIDE: While the coating *is* indeed great, the bead blasting on it could be tough on your strings. The good news is that we're taking care of that for you! We decided to go the extra mile and to polish the gap-side of this yoyo. You will immediatly notice the shiny inner side and be safe in the knowledge that your strings are secure.

Enjoy and play like L33To!

ChrisK

While we are working on the design of the next generation PYRO and the signature yoyo for Plamek, I wanted to update you on the custom-made bearing we are going to provide these yoyos with (see Hadrien's post http://www.hspin.com/webpage/?q=node/2810).

Our Swiss-made high end series of yoyos (like the two above) will sport large bearings. Not only that, they will also have a string-centering V-shaped outer race. V-shaped bearings are standard in other industrial applications, however, this size is custom made for HSPIN, 5x13x5.

String-centering bearings have been around for a while and in different shapes (Konkave from Difeyo, Grooved from e.g. Born Crucial, and center-track from Central Bearing/YYF). V-Shaped is the shape we believe in most (more pronounced center and faster centering... but let's not get lost in details).

Using string-centering bearings has an impact on the yoyos responsiveness: The yoyos are less responsive, and more evenly less responsive, which also reduces risk of snagging. In turn, the yoyos need firmer binding.

You'll love the new designs we are working on. Hadrien has been a tremendous support in updating the new PYRO and shaping Plamek's signature yoyo, prototypes for both exist as of this week. We are contemplating whether to ship the yoyos with two bearings, both flat and V-shaped, to give players an option, but that will earliest be in summer/fall 2010.

Keeping you posted,

ChrisK

Friends,

A few months ago, I wrote that "Plamek is a person of amazing discipline, endurance, calm and sincerity. [...] there is pretty much nothing any yoyo maker can offer him on an equipment front".
http://www.hspin.com/webpage/?q=node/2477

It's been a fews weeks by now, though it's a good thing to let some grass grow over memories of the Polish Yoyo Nationals - still one of the most fiercely battled contests in my eyes. Plamek represented HSPIN on stage competing for the Polish title, Corli visited and performed in the international division.

Watching Plamek's freestyle, reminded me very clearly why I wrote the above.

We recognize Gacek as the overall winner of the contest, and we congratulate him. To us (the greater hspin network) however, Plamek is the superstar.

Enjoy!

ChrisK

Please join me in congratulating Shinya for an amazing performance and 3rd place at the West Japan Contest! Shinya used his own signature design CUT (http://www.hspin.com/webpage/?q=node/2131), which you can still purchase from us using our Secret Link. Well done, Shinya!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWc31ogXyUE

We are 25% into the year 2010 and I am excited to finally post the second part of our 2010 update.

*** Modular Yoyo Series - "Weapon Of Choice" ***

HSPIN brings you the "Weapon Of Choice" series of yoyos, the first design ever that will allow players to choose and custom-design their yoyo's handling along three parameters! The challenge is back on you to know what you really want in a yoyo!

Do you?

"Too light, too heavy, too small bearing, too big bearing, too much kick back, feels too light..." - our community is very specific (and demanding!) of what we want. There is no such thing as the best yoyo, but there are many good yoyos that suit many people's preferences.
The weapon of choice is a series of 6 V-shape yoyos that incorporate all the latest design elements.
You can independently choose
-- Bearing size (small HSPIN, large Oxy-size)
-- Weight (lighter 64-65g, heavier 66-68g)
-- Inertia (rim-weighted, center-weighted)

We will help you determine what model is right for you, and custom-made-to-order yoyo for you in spring/summer 2010! Preorder is necessary.

*** Hadrien Bennaceur ***

The HSPIN NETWORK is extremely proud of its latest joining member. Hadrien Bennaceur has decided to join us, and with him he brings several talents. While he is one of the World's best players who has experience battling on stage at the World Yoyo Contest, he is also an outstanding CAD designer and CNC machine programmer. What more could we want in one person? Riiiight... did I forgot to mention he plays the diabolo like a god?
But why do I think that Hadrien is best to flourish with HSPIN?

Supermodels vs. Yoyoplayers from Chris K on Vimeo.

Aren't yoyos associated with toys, children and "playing"?

Fact: The most influencial yoyo fanatics out there are between 17 and 37 years old. See what some of them say about themselves and their hobby.
In contrast, listen to two complete-opposite "cool" outsiders talking about the same hobby: Rachael Williams and Monique Forde, two professional models from London, UK.

Major THANK YOU for helping to make this happen:
Anamorphic - Filming and World Class Editing
Mark McBride, Dazzling Dave, Ed Haponik, Ondrej Sedivy for interviews.
Rachael Williams (http://rachael-williams.com) and Monique Forde for stunning appearances and interviews.

Enjoy,
/ChrisK