The Evora Rebirth Pt. 2 - AMS2488, Ultramatte & Anodized
by Jeffrey PangJanuary 16, 2021
I remember the day I released the original Evora. There were existing yoyos out there made from aluminum and plastics, but very few were made from Titanium. Even when companies made titanium yoyos it would be a one and done kind of deal - as the difficulties and quality control needed for titanium was much more risky from a business standpoint. I approached the original Evora project thinking it would be a one run project - up until all 60 original units sold out in under 5 minutes.
I remember thinking wow, there were actually others who thought it would be an interesting idea and actually appreciated my design aesthetics. There wasn't really a titanium yoyo that looked or performed like the Evora, with a more mid weighted feel vs the typical maximum rim weight like a competition style yoyo. I always said that if there was a signature yoyo that represents me, it would be the Evora (with the 000 as a close second).
5 years later, I still think I put the most effort and soul into the original Evora. It was something I really took the time to make uniquely "mine". Over the years, as finance and cashflow allowed, I updated the packaging. The business cards. Slowly I could turn the brand into something I never could when I first started just mainly due to experience and funds. What you see here is the ultimate version of that same yoyo I designed sitting in a hostel bed with a barely working laptop in Sweden, now more than half a decade ago.
I wanted this updated version of the Evora to be different, but not in aesthetics. I wanted that to stay exactly the same but bring it up to speed. As time progressed, so did player style and performance demands. I felt the need to move a bit of the mid-weight to the rim, but not enough to affect the overall aesthetics of the hub. Keeping the soul of the original yoyo was important to me.
The packaging was updated in 2019, and I featured the Evora artwork on the box. I actually did this knowing I would rerelease it in 2020/2021. It was subtle but looking at it with the actual Evora offers a level of continuity that is very satisfying. With the original design being inspired by architecture brutalism, the Ultramatte version of the Evora just represents the brand so well since it looks and feels like concrete. Its a very unique look.
This release will offer three finishes, in Ultramatte, AMS2488 and in an Anodized Blue. The anodized blue version will feature a genuine Dif-e-yo Koncave bearing. As a throwback to the original, the Ultramatte and AMS2488 will feature white pads with a full ceramic bearing installed. A very aesthetically pleasing combination.
The 2020 Evora in AMS2488, Ultramatte & Anodized Blue will drop Tuesday January 19th, 2021 10pm EST time.
Material: Titanium
Width: 43.3 mm Diameter: 54.5 mm Weight: 65.5 grams Response: LuftPad
When I first designed the Triple Zero in 2017, I didn't expect this yoyo to become the flagship it is today. Almost 8 years later, this yoyo has been a staple in the Luftverk lineup - one of the first "ultra minimalist" organic yoyos at the time. This design language has slowly worked its way from the first titanium model, the widely loved Plastic Triple Zero, and the aluminum variants as well. So it only makes sense to continue that tradition with a hybrid version.
When I first moved to Japan, I specifically moved to Osaka for drifting. But more so - it was the first place where I made a friend that immediately welcomed me with open arms. As someone who grew up in Canada all his life, I felt like I had bit off more than I could chew. Moving to another country is one thing - but going to a place where you don't even speak the language, where the culture is completely 180 from the western world now that was a different story.
When I released the titanium version of the Revora, I had one goal in mind. Challenge myself to design a solid state product in an era where that is no longer the normal. In a way - it was a challenge to myself to see if Luftverk's evolving design language could stack up against todays multi-material engineering marvels.
Jeffrey Pang
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