Background

MONO is a full-size model in the MoNo series, and it all started with redesigning the base design of the MoNo series for the 56mm development. We had a few concerns when designing this model: too much spinning force. At 54mm development, the design had more than enough spinning force to be comparable to a full-size model. It is easy to imagine that a full-size design would have as much spinning force as an oversized design. Therefore, when we started designing MONO, based on the design concept of the MoNo series, we decided to proceed with the design in the direction of maintaining this sufficient spinning force while also making it easy to move by appropriate edges and weight distribution.

Operation Darkmagic

YoYoJam Darkmagic is design reference of MONO and it's already decided when we start this MoNo series project. Darkmagic is a full-size version of the Hitman, with thick aluminum rims for stability and high walls for better controllability. The rims are thick and stable, but the highwalls make it easy to move around. It is a yoyo for enjoying tricks at a leisurely pace, rather than for quick speed tricks. This is exactly the concept that the full size MONO is aiming for. Low-edge yo-yos are the norm these days, but due to the unique highwall design, there have been no yo-yos released that pay homage to the Darkmagic for quite some time.

Much of the detail is still available at Thedarkmagic.com, which was set up at the time by the signatory, Andre Bourey. If you are interested, please see the link below. The shape of the aluminum rim is designed to make it easy to do Grind trick, Thumb grind and Snap grind, Andre's specialty at the time.

https://thedarkmagic.com/

MONO Design Concept

In developing the MoNo series, we decided to use the Darkmagic as a reference from the very beginning, as it is a full-size model that follows the same flat rim and high wall design as the Hitman, Peak and Wooly marmot. Above all, the fact that it has been a long-selling model for many years proves the excellence of this yo-yo as a design. Of course, the rim design that facilitates grind tricks, thumb grinds, and snap starts, an important design point for Darkmagic, was also reflected when creating the base design for the MoNo series. Smooth Ultimatte Coating and rim shape that bites firmly during grind trick. Flat rim shape for easy snap-starting. The rim shape has also groove for easy thumb grind. The rim shape is the result of considering the spinning force and the resistance for tilting., but the designer's playful mind was to design it so that thumb grind can be performed. (Incidentally, the owner did not know this until MoNo release.)

While sampling the side shapes of Darkmagic, we mixed the design with the base body of the MoNo series. The original Darkmagic is around 56mm, but we designed it at 56.5mm to differentiate it from the MoNo 54.5mm. The width is 43mm to balance the aspect ratio, and the edge is much higher than that of MoNo. The purpose of this design was to ensure better controllability in response to the significant increase in spinning force resulting from the 56.5mm diameter. First, we targeted a weight of 67.0g and proceeded with the design, once we confirmed the shape with a 3D printer.

3D printing

- Diameter: 56.5mm

- Width: 43 mm

The 3D printer prototype was used to check the side shape design, mainly around the edges. After checking the contact between the edge and the string, we widened the control edge slightly due to strong interference of the outer control edge. We also readjusted the ratio of round to flat rim and the radius of curvature so that the side shape would be more beautiful. With the drawings reflecting these modifications, we proceeded to trial production in A6061 material.

1st Prototype

- Diameter: 56.5mm

- Width: 43 mm

- Weight: 67.0g

- Coating: Smooth Ultimatte Coating

When it finally arrived, it was a yo-yo that looked distinctly different from the MoNo 54mm. Not only the large diameter, but also the highwall design with high edges makes it look so. It has more than enough spinning power, but it has good controllability unique to the highwall design, giving a glimpse of the concept of a yo-yo for adults who enjoy performing tricks. It is a strange yo-yo that moves as you want it to, despite its weight. On the other hand, the 67g weight came into play, and I felt a little tired after using it for a long time. We reviewed the overall weight balance and made the next prototype, which we lowered the weight to the low 66g range.

2nd Prototype

- Diameter: 56.5mm

- Width: 43 mm

- Weight: 66.4g

- Coating: Smooth Ultimatte Coating

The weight of the 1st Prototype was reduced to 66g, and the weight of the 2nd Prototype was reduced in the center of the yo-yo. However, it was too peaky. As a conclusion, we decided to re-evaluate the weight balance. We redistributed the weight from the outermost edge of the yo-yo in the horizontal direction to the center of the yo-yo. The aim was to improve the controllability. As a result, the weight distribution in the circumferential direction is now closer to the outer circumference. In order to reduce the moment of inertia, the weight has been reduced from the low 66g range to the high 65g range to maintain the spinning force.

Production model

- Diameter: 56.5mm

- Width: 43 mm

- Weight: 65.8g

- Coating: Smooth Ultimatte Coating

Elegant and comfortable feeling, was my first throw impression. The high-wall design ensures good controllability, yet it is stable and solid. Thanks to the Smooth Ultimatte Coating, the yo-yo is firm yet elegant, and you feel like you've played a good yo-yo even in a short time. As I had hoped, this yo-yo is the opposite of the mono 50mm. As an adult, it is sometimes difficult to find time to play yo-yos. This yo-yo can be recommended for those who want to enjoy yo-yoing even for a short time, or for those who want to practice yo-yoing in earnest, taking advantage of its high spinning performance. The shape of the rim is also designed to make it easy to perform grind tricks, thumb grinds, and snap grinds as a tribute to the original. The default is an M4-12mm axel, but if you want to use it a little heavier, you can insert up to M4-16mm on the drawing design. However, since the screw holes are tight, please handle with care, for example, using screw lubricant together.

Coloring

We have been developing a new color scheme from the prototype. Initially, we were thinking of a combination of silver and space gray throughout MoNo series. However, if all the colors were the same, it would be difficult to distinguish them from each other. This is especially true when the sizes are close, such as 54mm and 56mm. So we are releasing a new coloring from MONO, Starlight. It is an austere khaki brown color that pays homage to Anti-yo's Eetsit, which owner have used for many years.

Epilogue

MONO is the third release from At Design Lab Tokyo. We live in an age where things are so commonplace, we have found it meaningful to take a non-clasic approach and challenge the classic full-size yo-yo. As those who are familiar with yo-yo design may have noticed, MONO's design approach is heterogeneous. We maximize performance by multiplying the exact opposite of the market standard design approach. This makes it a unique yo-yo with an old-school feel and a one-of-a-kind feel. We hope that not only those who love old school yo-yos, but also those who have recently started playing yo-yos and are not familiar with old school yo-yos will pick up one of these yo-yos.

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