Werrd Pacquiao

Reviewed by Jared Alperin

Introduction

Being named after Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao, it is immediately apparent that the Werrd Pacquiao has something to live up to. Manny Pacquiao was the first boxer in history to win seven world titles, in seven different weight divisions. These weight divisions just happened to be the lightest in professional boxing, making it clear from the beginning what Werrd was intending to do when they came up with this yoyo. They set out to create a super unique, lightweight yoyo that also has all the playability of top end throws in higher weight ranges.

Specs

  • Diameter: 51mm
  • Width: 40mm
  • Weight: 49 grams
  • Bearing Size: Large/C Sized
  • Response: Stock Chaz Pads. Will accept any .555 sized pads.

Construction

My Pacquiao came packaged in the standard Werrd box. Immediately after opening the box, I was taken aback by the beautiful golden finish. The light bead-blast catches the light in a subtle way that makes this yo-yo a site to behold. There are playful laser engravings on the sides of the yoyo featuring Pacman, a common nickname for Manny Pacquiao. The axle size is the standard size used in every Werrd yoyo I’ve known, which is also often found in YYF, YYJ, and CLYW yoyos. It is also noteworthy to point out that the posts on the yoyo are capable of using Werrd Jimmy Hats, though I have not tried them thus so far. A side note about the posts, currently they are intentionally left raw on the sides. One of the more immediate things someone would notice when picking up the Pacquiao is that the walls of the yoyo are very, very thin. It may make many worry about the durability of this yoyo, but I’ve personally played one that has endured many shots to pavement, and still played like new. There’s no question that Stu, the owner of Werrd considered every issue in the creation of this yoyo, and the result is one highly tuned machine.

Weight

Here’s where things get interesting. It’s not a typo; this yoyo really does weigh 49 grams. That makes it more than 11 grams lighter than any other yoyo of the 50+ in my current collection. Stu has cut as much weight off the walls of the yoyo as he could, while retaining a level of durability fit for a piece of metal being thrown at thousands of rotations per minute. While there is so little material on the walls of the yoyo, the rims have a nice distribution of weight and provide long, stable spins. Everything about the weight and distribution of this yoyo is completely unique, as well as a feat of machining.

Response and Bearing

The Pacquiao comes equipped with a Chaz Pad on each side. In comparison with flowable silicone or other pads, I found these to be obnoxiously slippy. I tried to adapt to them for a good while, but I eventually had to pull them out in my frustration. They were not an aggressive enough response for the massive gap the C sized bearing provides. After slapping some thin Gen-pads in there, the yoyo binds great; very snappy, while still playing completely unresponsive. That’s the beauty of using a standard pad response, there are many options for customization and there’s a configuration that will work for everyone.

The bearing is your standard stainless C-sized bearing; unresponsive and long spinning right out of the box. While it performs great, I found this particular bearing would frequently make a lot of noise unless I lubed it a bit excessively.

Playability

This is where the Pacquiao shines. It feels different than anything else on a string. It gives you a feeling of throwing air; highly refined, long spinning, and very stable air. The finish is great for finger and arm grinding, and the IRG is nice and open for thumb grinding. I’ve found there’s a little vibe on a bad throw, but it’s dead smooth on a straight throw, as well as on grinds. Due to the weight, it moves incredibly fast, and responds immediately to every motion you make. It offers everything I look for in the play of a yoyo. It’s fun and unique while retaining a high level of play in all aspects.

Final Thoughts

In a market of nearly innumerable options, Werrd has done something incredible. The Pacquiao offers a feel that is entirely new, without sacrificing any of the play and precision that Werrd is known for. This is a yoyo that everyone needs to try once. You’ll know right away whether you absolutely need it in your collection, or whether it’s just not right for you. Once the Pacquiao is officially released, there’s no question that word of it will spread quickly, and they’ll sell fast. This is not a yoyo to miss.