2 years ago I started Luftverk with no intentions other than to make the Evora happen. I never thought I could do collaborations with others, let alone one I respected so much. When Chris agreed to work with me on a Titanium project I knew it was a chance of a life time.
The anodizing problems that plagued the Tundra had such an emotional impact on me at the time. I kept asking why this run, and not the Octavia, or Evora. Why was it when I was trying everything to make that release as special and impactful to Chris and the rest of the world, that is when things went wrong. We of course were lucky enough that they still played great on the string - but we sold them at a discounted price for customers who still wanted one.
To say I was scared anodizing yoyos after that are an understatement. When I asked Chris if we could make a Titanium Peak we agreed that almost all of them would be raw - that would remove the risk that anodizers would mess things up. When I got them machined - I ordered extra to experiment on. We knew that there was a chance something would happen, which is why these Peaks are so limited.
With only 30pcs each, the AMS2488 and Purple Glass Dusted Titanium Peak halves arrived at my place just before my trip to the World Yoyo Contest in Iceland. They sat unopened for a few days as I anticipated the difficulties with dealing with vibration and quality issues. When I got enough couage to assemble the first few, I was surprised. No bearing seat deformations. No blotches. Just a beautiful iridescent finish. Both the colors were chosen for specific reason. While the Peak is what started it for CLYW, the Purple and AMS2488 were the colors on the yoyo that started it all for me - featured on the OG Evora.
Seeing that purple again brought me right back. Funny because I only kept one purple Evora - and I played it so much that the finish is passed broken in. Keeping that yoyo with keys and coins does a toll on it, and when I opened the fresh batch of purple Peaks it was almost strange to see that purple so fresh and pop so much.
I can finally comfortably announce these will be available and are actually on their way to Steve Brown for shipping and fulfilment (He has all the packaging for it as well). I am so happy how gorgeous this yoyo turned out. Modelling the shape off of the first yoyo CLYW ever made, and anodizing it based off of the first yoyo Luftverk ever made will definitely be a prized piece in my own collection. I must thank CLYW again for the opportunity with this project.
AMS2488 Type II Hardcoat Limited: 30 Units Price: $360USD
Purple Glass Dust Anodized Limited: 30 Units Price: $330USD
Both Available Sunday September 24th 10pm EST through www.Luftverk.com
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
Author