By now you've likely heard about the Tundra - the project involving both Luftverk and CLYW. It was something we worked together with, using design language from both companies. Its always really interesting when a brand can make a yoyo that has a universal design language across the board. And even though the CLYW line up has expanded to more experimental designs lately, its always very obvious it is a CLYW product - even without looking at logos or engravings. I try to do this with Luftverk as well, where when you pick one up you just know who produced it.
And it wouldn't be a Luftverk product without a beautiful packaging. When brainstorming ideas, I knew I wanted to create an experience with both the homebrew "Cabin" feel of CLYW yet maintain a premium vibe. So I turned to Drew Tetz from 44RPM. I sent him a vector of what I wanted and weeks later he shipped me a big box of wood parts, perfectly cut and engraved.
It was decided early on that I wanted to create a certain warmth mood with the wood inlay - so each one was stained a darker shade by hand. The makeshift table acted as a production line while each one was inspected and brushed. The stain also brings out the otherwise hidden grain. A very beautiful touch.
With that they were left to dry - then packed up. I did the 5 hour drive to the Caribou Cabin where the Tundras were being kept. Steve from CLYW was helping with assembly process which helped heaps since there were so many little pieces for each package. This saved me so much work as normally it would be a process I would do myself.
The design of the Tundra seems simple but is actually a mash up of all sorts of things. If you take a look at the profile - you can see that the catch zone was inspired by the Chief and original Yeti. Getting closer to the pad, the step is similar to the Borealis. And don't forget the pad itself: the very loved CLYW "Snow Tire" which makes the yoyo feel very, very different than any Luftverk throw in the past. In fact - I feel that the pad itself makes this yoyo play the way it does. You need to try it in person to know what Im talking about.
Wrapping around to the edge you find a very similar design to the Puffin 2. The internal hub is direct from the Octavia as it features a flat hub to minimize center weight. And although there are so many interesting things about the Tundra cherry picked from other models - if you take a look at it in its entirety it is very homogeneous and seamless with each design element. That is really important.
Available to public are two versions: Raw and AMS2488. The AMS2488 coating is a Type II hardcoat which feels very similar to teflon - very slick and grind friendly. This coating is usually used in the medical/military industry as a dry lubricant - a very interesting coating that has been close to the Luftverk brand since the original Evora. The AMS2488 Tundra will also be sporting a full ceramic bearing which plays and looks incredible - another throw back to the original Evora.
And it wouldn't be Luftverk without some incredible packaging. The wood inlay came together super nicely showing that the warm home-brew feeling and ultra premium can compliment each other very well. Lifting the inlay exposes the protective foam which holds the yoyo in place as well as some other goodies.
This includes a numbered certificate printed by a yoyo player in the Czech Republic. He owns a yoyo/print store Lardon.CZ, and although a bit more expensive to ship - it is always good to keep the funds within the yoyo community. CLYW provided their signature gold kitty string as well as a custom grey-on-grey patch limited to the Tundra. Beautiful.
And there you have it. Both versions will be available at the World Yoyo Contest in Cleveland and online at the Luftverk store on the 5th. Both are ultra-limited. Unfortunately we did have two other gorgeous colors lined up - but the bearing seat was damaged during finishing stages at the anodizers. But thats a story for another day.
Full Specs: Finishes: Raw/AMS2488 Weight: 65.0g Width: 43.1mm Diameter: 55.2mm Response: Snow Tires Bearing: Stainless Centering/Full Ceramic (for AMS2488 only) Limited: AMS2488 x 25 Raw x 30 Price for AMS2488: 350USD Price for Raw: 290USD
Available at the World Yoyo Contest 2016 in Cleveland Please visit the CLYW Table!
Also dropping on the 5th @8:00 PM EST online at the Luftverk store.
It has been a while since Ive written much - the second half of 2023 was insanely busy with project management. Since the release of the plastic lineup, I had very little time to focus on the roots of what made Luftverk so exciting. I realized this was a huge problem - I needed to guide Luftverk back to it's roots of exploring new materials and build product lineups that told a story stemmed from exploration. I had done this with plastics last year but in 2024 I would like to also focus back onto some more products that use exotic materials. While being incredibly late to the party this recent project is Luftverk's first Magnesium ever, which was at first canceled and almost never released.
It has been nearly 4 months since Ive been in Japan, and 5 months since I left Toronto. Writing that out makes it feel short but in reality it feels like forever ago. The last launch of the Plastic Peak was an overwhelming experience. I felt so grateful to work with CLYW, a company I grew up with. When the World Yoyo Contest hit I didn't know what to expect, but I had started noticing a feeling of burn out after grinding out so many yoyo related projects and in a weird introverted way I was a bit reluctant to go.
CLYW is a Canadian brand that started in 2006. I was 14 at the time when I watched this new brand unfold on the Yoyonation forums. They released their first yoyo named the "Peak" with 50 pieces retailing for $85. Today, that yoyo has used asking prices north of $2500 making it one of the most insanely rare and expensive yoyos to date. This "OG Painted Peak" featured a custom painted surface by a Canadian airbrush artist named Levi. Overtime as the Peak was impacted or dinged, the paint would chip off meaning there are only a handful of units in the world that survived in mint unused condition. Later versions would be released in more durable anodized finishes, but these first 50 "OG Painted Peaks"cemented CLYW into yoyoing history.
Jeffrey Pang
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