One Drop and YoYoJam

Engineered for Performance

Two companies on opposite U.S. coasts share a passion for yo-yoing and a knack for precise engineering. They’re turning out high-tech yo-yos for the pros -- and inspiring the rest of us to get reacquainted with a classic toy that’s come a long way from the spooled plastic versions of our childhood.

What’s interesting about both companies is that none of the founders started out as yo-yo enthusiasts. Instead, both companies are led by expert machinists who know all about precision engineering and the nuances of spinning parts. That attention to detail and performance yields incredibly smooth running yo-yos that elevate modern yo-yoing from child’s play into a genuine art form. (You can see some of the incredible tricks the pros can do in our video.)

One Drop Design is led by David Metz and Shawn Nelson, who design and manufacture yo-yos in their own factory in Eugene, Ore. Dale Bell and Valerie Aaron are the father-daughter duo behind YoYoJam, which makes its yo-yos in Florida and Georgia. A friend challenged Dale to put his engineering expertise to work creating a yoyo that wouldn’t wobble, and the rest is history.

Both One Drop Design and YoYoJam work with professional yo-yoers, but you don’t have to be a pro to take one of their beginner or intermediate yo-yos for a spin. There’s a hint of nostalgia in the designs -- but just a hint. As soon as you start playing with high-tech yo-yos, it’s immediately clear these are not your grandfather’s yo-yos!

— Ann

Ships to Canada.

YoYoJam Collection: - Photos are representative of the style and model of yo-yo, actual colors may vary.

• Journey
  
  • Great starter yo-yo, which will grow with you or “pocket” yo-yo for a seasoned competitor.
  • YoYoJam DOUBLE O-RING response system.
  • Long-spinning ball-bearing, and butterfly shape for long and complicated string tricks

• Phenom - Solid Metal
  
  • Developed by three time World Champion Hiroyuki Suzuki and YoYoJam
  • Highest level of precision, performance, craftsmanship, and uniqueness.
  • Anodized aluminum body and bronze rings plated with 24 carat gold
  • High-density bronze ring at the core, the weight is now centered exactly at mid point forming an amazing combination of stability and agility.
  • Overall shape is extremely sharp and angular creating maximum area for string and less friction during horizontal spin axis play.
  • Ships with a genuine Dif-E-Yo KonKave bearing installed for absolutely smooth unresponsive play.

• Dark Magic II
  
  • Designed by World Yo-Yo Contest Judge André Boulay
  • For Advanced level yo-yoer
  • Ships with a standard bearing installed, which allows the yo-yo to be more responsive for beginner to intermediate play.
  • When you are ready to move on to more complex tricks, simply change to the Speed bearing included in the package to move up to an unresponsive yo-yo capable of the most complex string tricks.
  • Wide metal aluminum rings, extra weight, and width for learning string tricks that require a stable and long sleeping yo-yo. - YoYoJam Solid Spin Axle System

One Drop Collection:

• Café Racer:
  
  • For Intermediate to Advanced Yo-yoers
  • Great first metal yo-yo
  • Smooth, nimble, excellent stability and a nice catch zone.
  • Large stainless steel One Drop Value Bearing
  • Stock Response: Flow Groove

• CODE1:
  
  • For Advanced Yo-yoers
  • Designed by popular vote.
  • YoYoNation.com community members voted on every aspect this design.
  • Solid feeling yoyo, ultra-stable, ultra-smooth yoyo
  • Wing shape, fixed gap
  • Stock Response: Flow Groove