ICON, by HSPIN

[LilNath]

The ICON, Stefan "MagL33To" Benjamins signature yoyo, is one of the flagship designs of the new core series. The core series aims to lower the price of competition standard yoyos, making them more accessible to the masses.



Packaging:

These are packed in the new HSPIN socks, and quite frankly I love them. Not only are they great for protecting the yoyo, but they are comfortable and stylish (although a little small for my freakishly big feet) you get a sweet little card, and some spare pads, which is pretty neat.



Aesthetics:

This yoyo is gorgeous. The engraving is really nice, and in fitting with the yoyo (I managed to blag two halves with the ICON logo I liked it that much, as standard one side comes with some nice text about the yoyo). The shape is a smooth curve, and the inner hub is plain, with the standard HSPIN nipple. The blast is rough, and feels a little "rubbery". It is hard to describe, sort of like a chalkboard. The colours are well chosen, with a choice of red or yellow. The red is deep, and really changes with the light. The yellow is a really well annoed (it's a hard colour to pull off) almost gold colour. My only gripe is that it picks up marks like no other yoyo I've owned. Not dings or scratches, but when you keep it in a bag or pocket with anything else it just turns from shiny red/yellow to black. It rubs off fine, and I think it has something to do with the matte finish. It doesn't affect play in the slightest; it's just a shame when looks are such a big part of this yoyo. That said in terms of function this coating is like your mates younger sister, you just CAN'T touch it. It's the pinnacle of yoyo surface engineering.



Play:

The most important bit. The gap is smaller than some, and the pads included give great binds, although may be a little tight for your taste. The bearing (HSPIN sized) really suits the yoyo, and give awesome regens. The coating is also the best thing ever invented. I've owned bapes, ILYYs, the lot, and NOTHING touches it. I don't know what the retail price will be, but I picked up mine for £40, and I would have happily paid double for it. Plays like a yoyo in a price range far above it's own. It is mid-size, but definitely pocketable. You'd do well to have one as a pocket throw.

PROS:
Looks stunning, with a nice tight gap, and you can grind her all night (like that cheerleader from college)

CONS:
Has dodgy nipples and gets dirtier than you thought possible (like that cheerleader from college)

If you like mid-size butterfly shaped yoyos with a gap size less than twelve meters you might want to buy an ICON or five.

http://s253.photobucket.com/albums/hh46/yoyolilnath/ICON%20-%20stefan%20benjamins%20sig%20yoyo/ <- for larger (apologies for skill and taste in shoe)

[nowhere kid]

Looks nice. do you know the specs?

[LilNath]

Weight ~65g
Width 40mm
Diameter 54mm
Inertia: Semi rim weighted

79 of your american pounds

[nowhere kid]

Weight ~65g
Width 40mm
Diameter 54mm
Inertia: Semi rim weighted

79 of your american pounds

Thanks

[Sol vs Terry]

the yoyo looks cool but the bloody gums are cooler

[LilNath]

the yoyo looks cool but the bloody gums are cooler

Huh? Have I missed something?

[zan-navi]

y'know, there is almost never a new metal i just "have to have."

but this is diffferent, looks like an awesome yoyo. i like the specs too. so thats really saying something.

kinda reminds me of the "ywet" 

[throwinskater22]

the yoyo looks cool but the bloody gums are cooler

Huh? Have I missed something?

the bloody gums are the shoes.

[LilNath]

Gotcha I recon it's a close thing really

[Alex G]

Looks awesome. I'm really digging the shoes too.

[LilNath]

Haha, I like em almost as much as my 6.0s and Zan Navi, I think it's the colourway as I thought so too. Playwise though it is a lot smaller than the YWET, and the small bearing too makes them pretty different beasts. (yeah, the YWET, I played it)

[Mordel]

Looks nice, but since I played a V-profile yo-yo, it is very unlikely I'll ever spend my money on a more traditionally shaped yo-yo ever again.

[Mordel]

By the way:

 I haven't thrown an Icon, so I could be off on this, but the marking issue that you mention is common with yo-yos that have been given very thick ano hardcoats and are given a graded beadblast that ends up very coarse. It isn't a common practice with a lot of yoyo companies anymore because of the cost( I am guessing), but other companies have done it and it isn't all that special/unique...though it is my absolute favorite finish for a yoyo. Amazing grinds, resistance to scratches that bite through to raw aluminum and it just has a nice feel to it even after you've been throwing the yoyo around a lot on a hot summer day(as in not gross and sticky or clammy).