mag·num o·pus
/ˌmaɡnəm ˈōpəs/
noun

“A large and important work of art, music, or literature, especially one regarded as the most important work of an artist or writer.”

One Drop and I set out to re-fit the Markmont. Classic in 7075 alloy. We ended up landing at a more resounding result than we could have ever imagined. While in the bones of the cad updates, we made a couple little ‘tweakies’ to the aesthetics with a focus on ‘micro’ refinement. What we love and what we accomplished with the original ‘had’ to remain fully in tact, so the refinements were intentionally limited. The rim angle transitions became more squared to add rim weight for improved stability. The cups face angles were smoothed out to visually reduce and functionally balance. What was manifested from these final refinements in conjunction with 7075 was improved stability, cleaned up multi layer string interaction ie easier to perform dense tech tricks, and an overall ‘i just flossed my teeth’ level squeaky clean float play style. This is ‘certainly’ the culmination of One Drop and I’s most important works within the Markmont. lineage of yo-yo’s.

Cobalt King - prototype colors hold a very special placement in my sentiment bones. You typically don’t stipulate what color you will get back in prototype phasing, so it’s always a bit of a surprise. In the instance of the Magnum Opus, the color I was graced with was what I am deeming ‘Cobalt King’. Every once in a ‘blue’ moon when Shawn knows he’s right about a design, he’ll run a few more units than normal in final prototype. This prototype is the version we used for final production.

This is the first time we’ve decided to sell any prototypes, so this ones one for the collectors. There are 15 of these in existence and offered here are 10.

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Markmont. Classic backstory
Originally released in October 2014, the Markmont. Classic was an attempt at creating the next ‘best classic organic’ throw in a timeline of other classic organic shape throws -  the SuperYo Renegade, Duncan Freehand 1 and Buzz-On Industries Element X to name a few. Working with skill toy and ‘brother brand’ manufacturer One Drop Yo-Yos I referenced my 10 favorite designs that altered the game entirely when crafting this yo-yo. Putting the term ‘classic’ in the name of the throw was definitely something I took very seriously. You can’t just go slapping ‘classic’ on any ole thing LOL. This meant spending a ‘good’ amount of time in the prototyping phase.

There’s a really specific balance I wanted to strike. If too stable it takes away from the throws play signature, but too unstable and it is too sensitive to play mistakes (yet this is crucial to allow for easier manipulation of the throws speed and axis adjustment). Right in the middle is where I wanted to be. Achieving this with a simple amount of visual details and details that were unique to the Markmont. brand specifically, was the challenge.

12 drawn prototypes and 6 builds later resulted in the Markmont. Classic.

I use to semi-classify the play style of this throw as ‘floaty’, but after really pushing the limits of what this throw can do for the last 3 years of re-working my own throw style, I’ve resolved to it being ‘open format’. It’s neutral speed is relatively floaty, but at an instant with ease, you can manipulate the speed much slower or much faster. If in play your throw is slightly tilted or ‘off axis’, it doesn’t take much effort to bend the plane back straight (with a little bit of practice of course). This here is really where the Markmont. Classic steps forward with a respectful handshake.

Go head and get you a good ol’ ding in it early so you can get more comfy with actually PLAYING this throw LOL. Then with no fear of messing it up jjjaaammm with it for a ‘decent’ chunk of time, because once you get use to its play style, then you’re really in for a comfy ride with just the right amount of bounce in its string interactions.

Weight: 64.4
Width: 45.06 mm
Diameter: 56.13 mm
Stock Response: One Drop Flow Groove
Gap Width: 4.32 mm
Bearing Size: Large (C) stainless steel (One Drop 10 Ball Bearing)
Alloy: 7075 Aluminum
Finish: Pyramatte
Axle System: Side Effects (tm)