US ASTROJAX Blog

Beginning to Yoyo

So you say you want to learn how to yoyo, eh?  Splendid!  I’m Theferrell and I’m here to help!

This post goes out to anyone who thinks yoyos look cool, but needs some info before throwing down their hard-earned cash on a yoyo that costs more than two bucks.  This is also geared towards those who have a yoyo lying around the house but aren't sure what to do with it.

What should you look for in your beginner yoyo?  Some think the more expensive the yoyo is, the better it is.  While this is generally true, it may not be what you need in your first yoyo. Ease of use should be your top priority so don't feel compelled to buy the most expensive yoyo because it's likely not geared to your skill level.

We sell a variety of solid yoyos suitable for beginners.  The following models will get you the most bang for your buck:

• Dark Gem
• Triple Action
• Triple Moon - Watch Triple Moon review
• Yomega Brain
• Yomega X-brain
• Yomega Fireball
• Any wooden yoyo

You are going to want a yoyo that has either a fixed axle or a plastic transaxle.  A fixed axle is a simple metal rod that connects the two halves of yoyo together.  The string goes around the rod and the yoyo is ready to go.  Most wooden yoyos have a fixed axle system.  A plastic transaxle is a plastic sleeve that goes over a fixed axle and acts like a bearing.  The string connects to the plastic sleeve.  This allows longer sleep time since plastic has lower friction than cotton string.  Your string will also last a bit longer since friction is not wearing at it.  Most Yomega yoyos and AP’s Triple Action/Moon has this system.

One last thing to consider is getting a yoyo with a clutch system.  I actually was thinking of trying to write out and explain what a clutch system is….. and I bored myself to tears.  So I got a clip for you from Yomega of their guy explaining what the Yomega Brain is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9nT8a2BpDg

This system is featured on Active People’s Triple Action, and Triple Moon. However, the Triple Action and Triple Moon step it up a notch.  In addition to the fixed axle and auto return setting, the TA and TM also feature a free spin setting!

Don’t forget to get extra string when you buy a yoyo.  It’s something most people don’t think of, but it saves frustration when your yoyo goes flying after the string breaks for the first time.  (Remember- stay away from  breakable objects until you know what you are doing :p) 

Now, after you get your first yoyo, you need to know what to do with it!  That’s where my fabulous video, Yoyo Boot Camp Vol.1 comes in!!  I made this video a few years ago geared towards techniques such as putting the yoyo on your finger, basic throw technique and even starter tricks.  Once you have mastered these techniques, the youtube-sphere is full of videos of tricks you can learn with a little practice.

If anyone reading has any questions, feel free to post in AP-Club’s forum under the “Yoyo” section.  I visit the forums quite frequently and am happy to answer any and all questions.  I am also known to film video responses from time to time detailing what I am trying to explain.  USAstrojax.com’s Facebook page is also a great place to post questions.

Enjoy your new yoyo and this is Theferrell, signing off!

Introducing Astrojax Jax-o-Lantern and Black Ops

With Halloween fast approaching we thought it was time to unleash the ghoulishly good looks of our latest Frankenstein-esque creation, Jax-o-Lantern!  Constructed of one pumpkin-perfect orange MX Pop and flanked by two mythical white MX Pops that you can't get standalone in any set, we specifically engineered this dastardly (but no less delectable) Astrojax limited edition for the discerning monster who might need to pacify a pitchfork and torch-wielding villager uprising quick, fast, and in a hurry!  Get 'em while we got 'em before they are forever locked away in The Vault.

Of course, if you're more the type to retaliate against a village uprising, we've also got you covered.  In celebration of a not-so-little-known shooter that's coming out soon that we're fond of around the office, we present to you Black Op Jax.  Fast.  Efficient.  A deadly combination of stealthy sophistication on one half with our cool, sapphire light-up, no-prisoner action on the opposite half, Black Op Jax are the perfect companion Astrojax set for the grizzled veteran of the skill toy underworld.  So don't get caught unawares as you venture out to your local game shops for the latest Call of Duty outing at midnight, let 'em know you're coming and let your Black Op Jax pride shine bright!

Remember, these are limited edition sets which will only be available until the end of October, so get on it now before they're locked away for good!

Meet Contributing Blogger TheFerrell

Hello! There are many who are reading this blog post and already know who I am. You all have seen me regularly post on the AP-club forum and back on the Freedo and Allesastrojax forums. I even had a few posts on the astrojax.com forum BEFORE it became the Ap-club forum! Yes, that means I've been involved with Astrojax for more than 7 years now. I actually was one of the first to experience www.usastrojax.com because I tried to order a catalog from Jim back when he ACTUALLY had a catalog. (Memo to self, bug Jim to get one of those if he still has one).

Oh wait, where was I.... Oh yea, my introduction.

I am a resident of Southern California. I enjoy all those stereotypical "So-cal" things such as riding any board I can get my hands on (surfing, wakeboarding, longboarding, snowboarding, etc.) I also like playing with Astrojax and yoyos WHILE riding said boards. (haven't done it wiht Snowboards and Surfing yet...). I am married to a Civil Engineer who I met back in School. I am a Civil Engineer and currently work for my parents (also civil engineers) and we design pools (anything from custom pools to olympic competition pools), houses, and even the fake rocks you see at Disneyland or Disney World! Yup, it's a fun job! I also get to work with my parents and two sisters all day, so it's a fun family affair..Other than that, I currently work with the Cub Scouts with my church and I have addicted them all to skill toys.

Ok, now about my view of Astrojax/play style/mantra. I believe my strength in Astrojax is teaching. I try to regularly put out tutorial videos about how to not only learn, but master the basic moves. I am currently looking for tricks you want to learn, so feel free to contact me via Facebook or the Ap-club forums. I want everyone to enjoy Astrojax. The main key to enjoying astrojax is to simply LOVE to play. I believe that this is becoming a lost art with the advent of video games, cell phone games (which I extremely detest being a big time video-gamer myself). People simply don't imagine as they used to. Astrojax, to me, is about flow and rhythm and entertainment. I'll post on ways to always be putting on a show, even if you only have one person watch. I'll also make posts (and videos) on ways to practice so if you are in a crowd, you can bust great tricks without having people be completely scared of getting whacked on the head. My wife and I have Disneyland passes, and I'm always seen there with a set of jax putting on a show in those ungodly long lines. It's always fun to see kids' eyes light up and watch as you are in the flow.

I consider myself a jack-of-all-trades when it comes to the skill toy world. I own about a dozen different skill toys and I grade myself "proficient" and above with everything. For this forum, I will be posting about Astrojax and Yoyos. My first skill toy was a Yoyo, so I still keep those dear to my heart. I also realize that my yoyo skills are nowhere near world class, so I will not be making videos for trick descriptions, since those videos are all over the interwebz. I, however, will make videos for yoyos geared towards AP's yoyos and tips and tricks to get the beginner yoyo-slinger graduated from a clutch yoyo and into the world of non-responsive yoyos. That's where the real fun begins!

So yea, that's about it for me! Stay Tuned (pun intended) and hang onto something. This is the wildest ride in the wilderness!

- John Ferrell

a.k.a. Theferrell

Hi, my name is (*ticka ticka*)...

Allow myself to introduce... myself.

My name is OceanJax, contributing writer to the Jaxology blog and avid Astrojax player. And when I say avid, I mean as in "showing great enthusiasm for".

I want to say hello and let you know that I'll be dropping by quite often to post some Jaxology tips, tricks, and probably some wackiness too. We'll also be talking about other skill toys that I may or may not be good at :/

But alas! It will be fun, informative, and spelled correctly (I'm also a word nerd and Anti-Word-Spelled-Wrong-on-Websites Activist or AWSWOWA for short... I wouldn't say I'm an "avid" AWSWOWA-ist, but I'm pretty into it).

Also, I'm into these things:

• rambling (as evident in above paragraphs)
• writing (novels, poetry, and short stories... and we may have some story fun here at Jaxology)
• coffee (when I say "into", I don't mean "swimming in")
• iPad-ing (I like Androids too, I just like iPads more)
• raising children (not yours, so please do not send them C.O.D. - also, what is C.O.D.?)
• music (electronic, trance, reggae, ... groups include: Paul Wright, Rootdown, and MORE!)

And these are things I'd like to be into:

• conferences (I got a thing for hotels and random people wandering around with nametags)
• coffee (now that I think about it, a coffee pool sounds pretty sweet.. and energizing)
• taking my AJ play to the next level (I want to be the Morgan Freeman of AJ, but I sit content at my Ashton Kutcher level of play for now. It certainly beats my previous Keanu Reeves level of play o_O )
• and finally, you. I'd like to get to know you all better. I mean that sincerely as indicated my by lack of parenthetical comment following each previous bullet point.

So yeah. If you don't hate me by now after reading all that drivel (see above), leave comments. Ask questions. And let's have fun!

~SMILE :)

~~OceanJax