BOWL MINI
TITANIUM

RELEASE INFORMATION

11 JULY 2022

299.99 USD

RAW TITANIUM

83 MADE

Diameter 50mm, Width 43mm, Gap 4.4mM

62.5g

M4 x 8mm axle

CONCAVE C bearinG

19MM TYPE 50 LANDING PADS RESPONSE

A NEW TITANIUM SIBLING

Since the original Bowl was released in August 2018, the series has expanded across different dimensions and metal alloys.

Following the success of the stainless-steel and aluminium Bowl Minis, titanium was the natural next addition. Bowl Mini Titanium completes a trio of designs built around the same compact geometry but expressed through three fundamentally different materials.

It also became an opportunity to evaluate a new machinist.

At the time, RSO was looking to broaden its manufacturing network and reduce its reliance on a single factory. Bowl Mini Titanium was selected as a relatively controlled first project. Its 50mm diameter reduced the likelihood of machining problems, while titanium allowed considerably thicker walls than the extremely thin stainless-steel versions.

The resulting production run was sufficiently successful to retain the elaborate artwork, packaging and accessories associated with RSO while keeping the retail price competitive for a titanium yo-yo.

IDENTICAL TRIPLETS

The stainless-steel, aluminium and titanium Bowl Minis are identical triplets. At first glance, they appear almost interchangeable. Their catch zones share the same geometry, each carries the subtle hub bump inherited by the Bowl family, and all three weigh approximately the same. Their similarities largely end there.

The easiest way to distinguish them is by examining their rims. Bowl Mini Titanium has rims approximately twice as substantial as those of its stainless-steel sibling, yet considerably slimmer than those of the aluminium version.

The aluminium sibling is also the most extroverted of the three, arriving in a considerably louder wardrobe of anodized colours. Same family. Very different upbringing.

CHARACTER ANALYSIS

Bowl Mini Titanium occupies the most composed position within the trio.

Compared with the nimble and fast-moving C-bearing stainless-steel version, titanium feels more measured and deliberate on the string. It carries sufficient presence to remain reassuringly stable, yet avoids the excessively solid sensation that can sometimes accompany a compact metal yo-yo.

Against the D-bearing stainless-steel and aluminium versions, Bowl Mini Titanium feels more cautious. It changes direction with control and reaches the end of the string with a softer, more considered landing.

This is the sibling least likely to cause concern when left unsupervised.

The three materials also produce distinctly different voices. If the Bowl Minis formed a vocal group, stainless steel would sing tenor, titanium would provide the baritone, and aluminium would handle the bass. Bowl Mini Titanium finds its voice squarely in the middle.

CONCEIVING THE YO-YO

Development began approximately nine months before production. It was, quite literally, a full-term prototype.

Both C- and D-bearing versions were produced. Unlike TiRAMiSU, where the choice between bearing sizes was closely contested, Bowl Mini Titanium produced a clear winner. The C-bearing prototype felt lighter, more buoyant and considerably more distinctive. Its movement possessed the floaty quality that allowed titanium to feel less metallic than its material suggested. The D-bearing prototype was far more substantial. Its heavily rim-weighted distribution made it feel sluggish, while the combination of compact dimensions and concentrated mass produced excessive kickback.

Months of testing did little to improve my opinion of it. The C-bearing design was therefore selected for production, but not before approximately 1.5g was removed from the prototype's rims. This final reduction gives the production Bowl Mini Titanium its gentler movement and more balanced character.

A NEW BEGINNING

Bowl Mini Titanium was developed during an especially significant period for my family.

My second son, Isaiah Lim, was born on 2 March 2022. We made our way to the hospital after my wife's water broke, and I was grateful that the delivery proceeded smoothly. The release followed Sushi by nearly two months and arrived as both RSO and my family entered a new chapter.

Bowl Mini Titanium is the final release in the Bowl Mini line.

The artwork by Pingolito once again features my elder son, Isaac Lim, as its cover star. This time, the presentation is built around a collection of plush toys, with the accompanying stuffed-toy robot enamel pin bringing one of them beyond the box.

WHAT’S IN THE BOX

Certificate of authenticitY

STUFFED TOY ROBOT ENAMEL PIN

A PAIR OF 19MM CYAN TYPE 50 LANDING PADS RESPONSE

RED STRING

BUN IN THE OVEN

RSO is currently prototyping an even smaller Bowl, with dimensions comparable to the One Drop Dingo. The Bowl Mini line may be complete, but the family still has room to shrink. Stay tuned.