The story of Melzi

Melzi Specs

Material：	7068 w Stainless
Total weight：	63.68 g
Diameter：	56.3  mm
Width：	48.00  mm
Gap width：	4.57mm
Axle：	M4* 10mm
Bearing：	Concave bearing
Pad size:	19.2*14.2*1.2 mm

 

Price：95-100 USD 

Release date ：September 20th 8PM EST（Japan time Sep 21th ,9 am）

Package Contents:

• 1 × Melzi yoyo

• 1 × Melzi Sticker

• 1 × yoyofriends Sticker

• 1 × String

• 1 × pair Pad
  

Introducing the yoyofriends Melzi, 2nd signature of Tomoki Toyama. In 2024, Tomoki and us think it is time to make his second signature yoyo. We contacted Tomoki directly about how he would upgrade his former signature yoyo Da Vinci. He took a couple of weeks and came up with some criterias. 

He wants a yoyo with the same rotational power, wider width, larger catch zone, same or more top end speed, same or more acceleration. All of this with a confinement of around 56.3mm diameter and up to 64g of weight limit. What he has asked is basically trying to defy physics as Da Vinci is already incredibly light and fast. Matching the speed of it while having a larger diameter, width and more power is borderline impossible. 

(Picture of Da Vinci)

 

We thought very long about the project and broke each element of a yoyo down. First is the profile, we really like the profile of the Da Vinci because of its unique V shape with a hint of H at the outer part. Giving the yoyo and stability boost. So we kept the same profile and made it wider.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Picture of the profile of Da Vinci vs Melzi) 

Then the stainless steel rim. In order to make the yoyo more powerful than the Da Vinci, we not only need to add more rim weight, but also in a way the weight is pushed even more to the outside. We decided to tackle this with our newest generation of wrapped around ring design, having the angle of the ring almost vertical coming down to the aluminum body. This aggressive ring design is even more extreme than the Peregrine X. Pushing the SS ring almost 20g almost all the way to the outer edge while not sacrificing too much durability. 

(SS ring Picture of the Da Vinci & Melzi & Peregrine X )

Now the hardest part, trying to match the speed and acceleration of Da Vinci while the yoyo is heavier and larger. We tackled this by adding center cup weight directly above the axles. We looked into 2 designs Tomoki really likes, the pheasant bimetal and the sunwing. We decided for this yoyo, the sunwing center cup suits it more as it has more center weight and has a cleaner look. 

(center cup picture of Melzi , Sunwing  and Pheasant Bimetal ) 

Now the details, as Tomoki requested we kept the weight well under 64g for agility and diameter at 56.3mm. We also increased the width of the yoyo to around 48mm, matching the one of our best performers, Peregrine X. We also made sure the catch zone is now a lot wider for easier string hits, matching that of the Pheasant Bimetal. We also upped the gap width to 4.60mm from Tomoki's request.

The result is absolutely astonishing. The yoyo plays just as fast as Da Vinci in the top speed due to a huge leap in stability and power. The player can maneuver the yoyo with more confidence. The acceleration also did not decrease due to the yoyo being still light with some center cup weight. We are super happy with the result. 

(Picture of Melzi prototype 1)

Tomoki then used prototype 1 in a contest, the best proving ground for a competition yoyo. His feedback was that the bind is slightly loose. We then suggested decreasing the gap width from 4.60mm to 4.57mm. Tomoki is a perfectionist so we decided to make a prototype 2 to make sure it is up to his very high standards. 

(Picture of Melzi prototype 2)

With the prototype 2, the bind issue is now gone and everything is perfect in the eyes of Tomoki, we are super happy we have achieved his borderline physics defying request and greenlit this project for production. 

(picture of production Melzi)

Tomoki picked the name Melzi, inspired by Italian painter Franceso Melzi, a pupil of Leonardo Da Vinci. 

(Picture of Franceso Melzi)

 

Here is a personal message from Tomoki Toyama himself. 

“When I heard about my 2nd signature project, I was very happy but I was at a loss for how it will be. We could have made it monometal to sell it cheaply, or make something completely different from da Vinci. In my long time thinking and discussing with the team, I decided to evolve Da Vinci for my future contest. Recently, many players do aggressive horizontal tricks, so I think I want to evolve my horizontal tricks along with my second signature.

Melzi is very suitable for me and achieved my goal

I sent many difficult requests to teams, but they answered all my requests completely. I can't thank you enough. You will like Melzi if you like Da Vinci, and I think Melzi is the one of the best yo-yo for contests in our lineup. I would like everyone to try Melzi!”

(picture of Tomoki holding Melzi)

We hope you liked the Melzi, a yoyo project completed based on borderline physics defying orders. A yoyo with immense power while being lightweight, and one of the fastest yoyos in the yoyofriends' lineup history.