Handmade Yo-Yo String
Made to order, one string at a time. Four families. Every blend named from the apothecary and built around how it plays.
Comfort
Soft, forgiving, and built around how a string feels in the hand first.
Emollient
Woolly Nylon 100%
disposition: plush // velocity: moderate // shelf life: moderate // feel: ultra soft
Shop Emollient comfortEssence
Rayon / Maxi-Lock Stretch Nylon 50%/50%
disposition: normal // velocity: moderate // shelf life: lasting // feel: soft
Shop Essence luxurySericin
Silk 100%
disposition: docile // velocity: brisk // shelf life: enduring // feel: soft
Shop Sericin comfortSerum
Maxi-Lock Stretch Nylon 100%
disposition: plush // velocity: moderate // shelf life: moderate // feel: very soft
Shop Serum luxuryTincture
Silk / Maxi-Lock Stretch Nylon 50%/50%
disposition: normal // velocity: brisk // shelf life: enduring // feel: very soft
Shop Tincture comfortTisane
Maxi-Lock Stretch Nylon / Bonded Nylon 80%/20%
disposition: grippy // velocity: slow // shelf life: enduring // feel: soft
Shop Tisane comfortVapor
Trilobal Poly / Maxi-Lock Stretch Nylon 50%/50%
disposition: normal // velocity: moderate // shelf life: lasting // feel: very soft
Shop VaporPerformance
Speed, snap, and technical play. These strings were designed to get out of the way.
Catalyst
Invisible Nylon / Maxi-Lock Stretch Nylon 50%/50%
disposition: bouncy // velocity: brisk // shelf life: lasting // feel: soft
Shop Catalyst performanceDetergent
Rayon 100%
disposition: slick // velocity: lethal // shelf life: immortal // feel: soft
Shop Detergent performanceElixir
Trilobal Poly 100%
disposition: crisp // velocity: fast // shelf life: immortal // feel: slightly coarse
Shop Elixir performanceEther
Trilobal Poly / Spun Poly 50%/50%
disposition: normal // velocity: brisk // shelf life: lasting // feel: slightly coarse
Shop Ether performanceInk
Rayon / Trilobal Poly 50%/50%
disposition: slick // velocity: lethal // shelf life: immortal // feel: slightly coarse
Shop Ink performanceSinew
Trilobal / Bonded Nylon 50%/50%
disposition: crisp // velocity: brisk // shelf life: enduring // feel: very coarse
Shop Sinew performanceSolvent
Spun Poly 100%
disposition: normal // velocity: moderate // shelf life: moderate // feel: slightly coarse
Shop SolventNot ready to commit? Try the Witch’s Brew →
Responsive
Fixed-axle and responsive play. Grip is the priority. Forgiveness is built in.
Honey
Cotton / Silk 75%/25%
disposition: normal // velocity: slow // shelf life: lasting // feel: soft
Shop Honey responsiveNectar
Trilobal Poly / Cotton 25%/75%
disposition: crisp // velocity: glacial // shelf life: moderate // feel: slightly coarse
Shop Nectar responsivePollen
Cotton 100%
disposition: grippy // velocity: glacial // shelf life: moderate // feel: coarse
Shop Pollen responsiveSpore
Cotton-wrapped Poly 100%
disposition: grippy // velocity: slow // shelf life: enduring // feel: slightly coarse
Shop SporeSpecials
Limited releases, collaborations, and commissioned work. Outside the main catalogue.
Emulsion
Varies 100%
shelf life: enduring
Shop Emulsion collabNight Soil
Rayon / Trilobal Polyester / Maxi-Lock Stretch Nylon 40%/50%/10%
disposition: slick // velocity: brisk // shelf life: enduring // feel: slightly coarse
Shop Night Soil commissionRope
Monster thick. 100% Spun Poly, wound past the point where anyone would call it standard, commissioned directly through Berv, for the kind of throwing that regular string doesn’t survive.
Reading the Data Line
Every string ships with a data line. Here’s what the values mean.
Disposition
How the string behaves during play.
- normal Balanced. No strong lean in either direction.
- slick Low friction. Slides easily off the finger, releases clean.
- bouncy Lively and elastic. The string pushes back slightly.
- grippy High friction. Catches reliably. Preferred for fixed-axle.
- plush Soft and cushioned. Forgiving under tension.
- crisp Snappy response. Defined, precise, a little demanding.
- docile Calm tension hold. Cooperative under most play styles.
- volatile Reactive. For players who want feedback from the string.
Velocity
The speed of the string off the finger and through the air.
- glacial Very slow. Built for fixed axle and deliberate, weighted play.
- slow Unhurried. Stays under control at every trick.
- moderate Steady and balanced. Neither rushed nor held back.
- brisk Above average pace. Responsive without being twitchy.
- fast High speed performance. Gets out of the way.
- lethal Maximum velocity. Ink and Detergent territory. Not for everyone.
Shelf Life
How long the string holds up under regular play before degrading.
- fleeting Burns bright and fades fast. Short-run intensity.
- moderate Average lifespan. Replace when feel starts to drop.
- lasting Above average durability. Holds feel longer than expected.
- enduring Long life. Stays true to character well into its use.
- immortal Exceptional staying power. Elixir and Ink tier.
Feel
The surface feel and texture of the string against the hand.
- very coarse Maximum texture. Grips hard, breaks in slowly.
- coarse High texture. Noticeable against the hand throughout play.
- slightly coarse A little bite. Breaks in toward something softer.
- soft Comfortable and low abrasion. Easy on the hand over long sessions.
- very soft Noticeably gentle. Minimal string feedback.
- ultra soft Almost no texture. The hand nearly disappears into the string.
Emulsion History
All seasonal Emulsions, in order of release.
- Pride Jun 2024
- Candy Corn Sep–Oct 2024
- Striga Sanguine Sep–Oct 2024
- Ugly Sweater Nov-Dec 2024
- Jazz Jan–Feb 2025
- Pride 2025 May–Jun 2025
- Trans Pride 2025 May–Jun 2025
- Pan Pride 2025 May–Jun 2025
- Enby Pride 2025 May–Jun 2025
- Poly Pride 2025 May–Jun 2025
- Ectoplasm Sep–Oct 2025
- Striga Sanguine 2025 Sep–Oct 2025
- Autumn Leaves Sep–Oct 2025
- Rime Nov–Dec 2025
- Gumdrop Nov–Dec 2025
- Ugly Sweater 2025 Nov–Dec 2025
- MA States Feb 2026
- Refract May-Jun 2026
- Transit May-Jun 2026
- CO States 2026 Aug 2026
- VA States 2026 Sept 2026
- Ectoplasm 2026 Sept-Oct 2026
- Autumn Leaves 2026 Sept-Oct 2026
- Striga Sanguine 2026 Sept-Oct 2026
- MN States 2026 Oct 2026