Friction Stickers

From YoYo Wiki

Friction stickers are a common type of response system that increase the grip the sides of the yo-yo have on the string, enabling the yo-yo to return. Although there are a number of different types of friction stickers they tend to be similar sizes so you can experiment with different types in the same yo-yo. Pads are also very versatile so you can mix and match, or even only have pads on one side for low response.

Pads wear out relatively quickly and so must be replaced regularly. However many yo-yoers prefer pads after they have been 'broken in' so replace the pads one at a time so at least one pad is broken in at all times.

[edit] Duncan

Duncan friction stickers are very responsive at first, but get smoother, and then wear out completely. They are often replaced by other, longer lasting, pads, but when they are broken in they work fine. They come with most ball bearing Duncan yo-yos as standard.

[edit] Dif-e-Yo

The Dif Pads made by Dif-e-Yo are made of a rubber like material. Although they come as standard in all Dif-e-Yo yo-yos they are also often added to other yo-yos by yo-yoers who want less response. They come in two different thicknesses: 0.015" and 0.03", referred to as 'thin' and 'thick' Dif Pads. Thick pads are more responsive than thin pads.

[edit] Tom Kuhn

The Tom Kuhn Turbo Discs are made of cloth and used in his ball bearing yo-yos. They can also be used on his older version of the SB2 and certainly put the B back into the Bullet. 3M Durapore medical tape would have the same effect as Turbo Discs.

[edit] Custom

Custom yo-yos use their own replaceable friction stickers called Performance Rings (sometimes referred to as Speed Rings.) They are made from a material that resembles Rubbermaid tub treads.

[edit] Baz Pads

Baz Pads are a friction sticker created by Bazmonkey. They are currently made from a rubber product called Plasti-dip.

[edit] Kentaro Pads

Kentaro Pads or Kimu Pads are made by Infinite Illusions employee as well as member of Team Buzz-On, Kentaro Kimura. The pads are made from textured rubber and are believed to make strings dirtier with play.

[edit] AnY

The AnY Pads are made by the Korean yo-yo manufacturer AnY. The are made of blue colour silicone, very durable, great for unresponsive play and provide very tight blinds. These pads can be found in Air Rider, Free Rider, and MiRoC 2, also available exclusively at Yoyonation and Yoman Store.

[edit] Ghost Pads

Ghost Pads are a creation of Paul Yath. They are a clear, thick and durable pad with one side being adhesive. The pads are made of flowable silicone, and available in size large and medium.

[edit] Chu Pads

Chu Pads are very unique response system because they are very thin (thinner than Dif thin) and made of plastic. They gave very slight response which can be used with other kinds of pad. Players can replace the Duncan friction sticks with Chu pads without the insufficient feeling on stock Duncan yo-yos.