One Drop MarkMont. Classic
Reviewed by Chris Rhoads
October 19, 2014
Introduction
Mark Montgomery is at it again with his latest signature yo-yo from One Drop, the MarkMont. Classic. In the yo-yo industry we hear a lot about “hype”. How all these different companies, or yo-yos, have hype, don’t live up to the hype, are under hyped, over hyped… you get the idea. Mark decided to take the reigns on promoting this yo-yo and did the biggest, craziest, most absurd tongue in cheek hype campaign I have ever seen for a yo-yo. He started off innocent enough with animations of a yo-yo in action with the hash tag #markmontclassic. Next came posts about yo-yos that have had a big impact on the industry. These posts started out sounding like a general history lesson but switch to more poignant posts about yo-yos that influenced him in positive or negative ways during his yo-yo career and those that helped him find what he was looking for in his latest release. Then the comedy started to shine through with the Onedropyoyos Markmont. Classic User Reviews, this crazy who’s who video of professionals giving their review of this upcoming throw… I have no words to describe it, just click on the embedded link and watch the video. All of this led up to the big reveal of the MarkMont. Classic (MC for short) at the end of August. Since then there have been official product shots, box shots, and some contests appearances for a yo-yo that will not officially drop until October 30, 2014. After everything is said and done, I have enjoyed watching the promotion of this yo-yo unfold. It had some fun moments and kept everyone interested in the product, but at the end of the day the promotion means nothing unless the yo-yo is as good, if not better, than the promotion leading up to it.
Specs
• Diameter: 56.13mm
• Width: 45.06mm
• Gap: 4.32mm
• Base Weight: 60.65 grams
• Weight w/ Brass MC Side Effects: 66.75 grams
• Weight w/ Aluminum MC Side Effects: 63.50 grams
• Bearing: One Drop 10-Ball Bearing
• Response: One Drop Flow groove Pads
Construction
You can tell that quite a bit of influence has come from the old school yo-yos that Mark liked back in the day. The profile has an organic, continuous curve that leads down almost to the gap, where some of the new finally seeps into the design. At the gap there is a step out that feels influenced by the Cascade design; an element that keeps the string away from the walls, allowing for better loops and stronger horizontal play. The cup is large and unobstructed with curved inner walls that lead down towards a flat floor. The center hub looks like it was lifted straight from the MarkMont Next but there is a twist. Unlike the MarkMont Next, the MarkMont. Classic is Side Effect capable and ships with both aluminum and brass versions of the MarkMont. Classic Side Effects, which look like the brass nut assembly from the MarkMont Next and Wooly MarkMont. One design feature that I was happy to see finally make it onto a Mark Montgomery signature yo-yo is the IGR. The MC has a well-implemented IGR under the lip. A big first for the MarkMont line is that the MC’s initial run is shipping in something other than nickel plate. This time around One Drop is shipping a glass media blasted version in blue, clear, black or mustard variants along side the nickel plate. The blast on these are almost as fine as soda blast but grinds as well as General Yo blast. Over all, the MarkMont. Classic feels incredible in the hand thanks to curves brought on by those classic influences.
Weight
The MC ships with the brass Side Effects installed so unless you take it apart from the get go, you will be throwing it set up at 66.75 grams. In this configuration I found it to be rock solid stable on the string with a little heft to it, long spin times and a chilled out feel. After a full day of playing it like that I swapped out the brass for the aluminum side effects. In this configuration it gains quite a bit of speed. You can still chill out with it but the yo-yo just feels like it is begging to go faster… and I felt obliged to do so. Both configurations have an excellent feel to them and I am not sure if I have a favorite at this point.
Response and Bearing
The MC comes with the default One Drop 10-Ball and Flow Groove set up that has shipped with almost every One Drop yo-yo since the Flow Groove M1 was released. This tried and true setup will give you quiet, long lasting, smooth spins with grippy binds when needed.
Playability
The MarkMont. Classic is incredibly smooth right out of the box. I have spent the last week or so throwing everything I can at it and it handles just fine. The play is a great blend of old school mixed with new. It brings back the feelings of playing with a Duncan FH1 or FHZ and then you start doing newer styles such as horizontal and it works perfectly. Grinds on this thing are absolutely amazing. The new glass media finish One Drop is using needs to be their new standard finish. It gives butter smooth, long lasting grinds that are easy to control. One bit of advice I will give, the new finish is easier to bruise versus the tougher Pyramatte finish from before. I found this out the hard way when I smacked it excessively hard against my son’s computer desk on accident. It never broke the ano but there is some light smoothing of the blast… nothing out of the ordinary for blast finishes but if all you have thrown is One Drop with Pyramatte finishes, you might be new to this sort of thing. I just call them battle scars, and I know it is going to get more; this yo-yo is going to get played quite a bit.
Final Thoughts
Does the MC live up to the tremendous hype? WHO CARES!!! Is it a great yo-yo? Yes, and that is all that matters. The MarkMont brand is a subset within the One Drop brand of yo-yos and it has been fun watching it grow from a modified version of the original Project to its own monster. This is a comfortable yo-yo that easily bridges the gap between where yo-yoing was and where it is going. My only recommendation if you pick one up… skip the nickel unless you are obsessed with nickel finish. I know that sounds like heresy when it comes to the MarkMont line but the blast is just that good.
UPDATE
Well, I made a slight error. Looks like the nickel plated MarkMont. Classic is also blasted. That being said, pick which ever strikes your fancy.
#1 by GraydenYoyos on December 29, 2014 - 11:32 pm
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I think that the Nickel has a nice feel. The overall feel for this yoyo is great and I recommend it. Its an amazing yoyo. I think it live up to the hype. this yoyo is amazing.
#2 by Alec on February 3, 2015 - 1:55 pm
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Would you recommend the gradient or the MMC more?
#3 by Chris on February 6, 2015 - 7:13 am
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MarkMont Classic. The Gradient is an awesome player but the MC has pretty much completely taken over my free time when I am not playing a review unit.
#4 by Rory on April 18, 2015 - 1:24 pm
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Between the Mark Mont Classic, the Summit and the Downbeat, which would you recommend most?
#5 by Mathias on April 19, 2015 - 8:40 pm
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what is better puffin 2 or MMC
#6 by Chris on April 19, 2015 - 8:49 pm
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I have never played a Puffin 2 so I can not say which is better.
#7 by Chris on April 19, 2015 - 8:51 pm
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I would need to know more about what you are looking for, all three have their strengths.
#8 by Rory on April 20, 2015 - 10:22 pm
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Well I’m looking for a yoyo with versatility. Something that I can play to chill out with but also take into a competition with confidence. I’m picking from the One Drop line thanks to their Side Effects that can change a yoyo’s playability .
#9 by Chris on April 21, 2015 - 6:23 pm
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The MarkMont Classic definitely fits the versatility bill. It can play fast or slow depending on how you set it up and the step out catch zone design makes it easy to catch, making an organic that I would have no problems recommending for competition play.
#10 by Mathias on April 26, 2015 - 7:34 pm
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what is better gradient, MMC, or Valor
#11 by Chris on May 3, 2015 - 2:41 pm
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All three are unique players. I never say what is “better” because that is subjective to what the player likes. Of the three, the MarkMont Classic is my preferred yo-yo, but that should not take anything away from the other two. I know player that prefer the other two over the MC. I would need to know what your preferences are in order to steer you towards the right one from your list of choices.
#12 by Brian on May 4, 2015 - 9:20 am
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Between this and the Cascade, which is better
#13 by Chris on May 20, 2015 - 5:52 pm
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Merriment Classic all the way. It is based in part on the Cascade design and in my opinion is one of the best yo-yos to ever come out of One Drop.
#14 by Kyle on July 31, 2015 - 6:40 am
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How would you compare the Markmont Classic to The 54?
#15 by Chris on July 31, 2015 - 4:20 pm
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54 is the classic take on the organic design.
MarkMont Classic is a more modern take on the organic design.
Both are great but the MC has a much more “current” feel.
#16 by Kyle on August 5, 2015 - 11:22 am
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Thanks for the input Chris! I’ve narrowed it down to either the Markmont Classic or the Cascade now. I like the smaller diameter of the Cascade a little better, makes it seem a little wider/easier to catch than the Markmont. Is the finish on the both the same quality wise?
#17 by Chris on August 14, 2015 - 6:47 pm
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No, the Cascade has One Drop’s Pyramatte finish while the MC has their new bead blast finish. The MC finish is far superior to anything else One Drop has used in the past… and that is saying something considering I love their old soda blast finish.
#18 by Kyle on August 26, 2015 - 5:28 am
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I went with the Markmont Classic in a beautiful red color. I’ve had it for 3 weeks now and it lives up to the hype. The finish is great to the touch and it plays wonderfully. The yoyo seems to play better than me sometimes, it just seems to flow so naturally and I’m landing harder tricks easier. One Drop has another fan. I have a T1 on my radar next. Thanks Chris!
#19 by Upmanyu on August 30, 2015 - 12:44 pm
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Is the blast super easy to bruise or is it only when you smack it excessively hard on a computer desk that the problem arises?:)
#20 by Chris on September 6, 2015 - 12:08 am
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Hard desks are the bane of all yoyos.
#21 by Karan Bajaj on November 28, 2015 - 2:25 am
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Hey Chris, how would you compare the OD Markmont Classic to the OD Rebirth in general? Also, which of the two would be suitable for competition use, in your personal opinion? Thanks in advance. :)
#22 by Chris on November 29, 2015 - 3:26 pm
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Two totally different yo-yos in my opinion and very difficult to compare. As for which would be better for competition, I would go for the Markmont Classic since it is larger and easier to hit.
#23 by Charlie on February 6, 2016 - 8:48 pm
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How does this compare to the vanguard? I already own the vanguard and was wondering whether the Markmont Classic plays differently enough to warrant getting it.
#24 by Chris on February 7, 2016 - 3:27 pm
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They play quite differently. The MC is faster and wider, feels more stable on the string and has the better grind finish. I like the Vanguard quite a bit but the MC is hands down one of One Drop’s best.
#25 by Baile on February 14, 2016 - 1:21 pm
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Would yo recommend the MC or the summit more? I have a gradient and like how floaty is is so which one would be better for me? Also open to other yoyos.
#26 by Chris on March 12, 2016 - 2:57 pm
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MC all the way. It is one of my all time favorite yo-yos and at the moment one of the best that One Drop has ever made.
#27 by Beard on July 7, 2016 - 3:23 pm
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Can’t decide between the MC and the top deck, I’m a fan of a more organic shape in my yoyos, but it’s impossible to find the MC with the clear or nickel finish in stock. Help me decide please!
#28 by Chris on July 14, 2016 - 8:57 am
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MC by a hair. Both are excellent but the bead blast finish and Side Effect capabilities of the MC edge it ever so slightly past the Top Deck. Both are daily carries when I am not reviewing a yo-yo for the site.
#29 by Tim on August 29, 2016 - 3:33 pm
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I have been playing with the Cabal, Terrarian, Code 1 and Top Deck. Here is my experience, which is still on the intermediate level. The Cabal is dead smooth for any plastic/ delrin Yoyo. Very fun to play but, just not for me although I am going to keep since ot is a OD and the Yoyo my wife bought for me. The Terrarian Planteria color way is an amazing throw. It is wide. I like the lines that go down the gap. Finger grinds, starting off, went pretty well. Now finger spins are hard due to the the inner cup and the side effects. The wide gap helps you land some tricks. From reading other reviews the Terrarian can handle most everything you can throw at it. I picked up my Top Deck. For me just night and day. It actually gives me more confidence if that’s possible. I will have the MMC this Wednesday. I am looking forward to seeing how it plays. Cheers
#30 by Charlie on January 3, 2017 - 9:25 pm
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I have the 2016 Benchmark H and I’m thinking about getting another yoyo. Do you think the MMC would be a nice complement/progression to the H? Are they similar in stability and spin time? Is the MMC an overall better throw? Thanks!
#31 by Chris on January 16, 2017 - 3:46 pm
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It would be a completely different beast from the Benchmark H. It is a good progression from what you already have. I would not call it a better throw for you since I do not know what your tastes are but I can say that I prefer it over the Benchmark H.
#32 by Thomas Lemoine on March 6, 2017 - 9:57 pm
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Chris, it sounds like you adore this yoyo!! I love the jensen kimmit video (its a musty yoyo!!) and this thing seems like a great player. I have a few clyw’s (manatee, orca) and a vanguard. Is this yoyo a decent compliment? I feel like I want a faster yoyo, and maybe a V(?), something that’s different. Is this yoyo still something you play around with at all? I know it’s been a while for this throw and I wanted to know how you feel about it compared to some of the more modern designs. Would you still recommend it? I am semi-accomplished, I can do hard-ish tricks like kamikaze but I really want to learn more, and I feel like i’m not getting a satisfying experience from the throws I have. I know that’s a lot to digest, but do you have any input? Thanks a ton in advance!
#33 by Chris on March 19, 2017 - 1:27 pm
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To this day the MarkMont Classic is my go to yo-yo when I am just fooling around and relaxing. If I don’t have a yo-yo in review I am throwing this. It is also the yo-yo I compare all other One Drops to.