Artifice

Introducing the Artifice, the signature yo-yo of rising talent James Heder. Built through close collaboration between James and the Yoyofriends team, the Artifice represents the next evolution of Yoyofriends’ monometal design.

James wanted a yo-yo with the power, stability, and control of a top-level competition model while keeping the light, fun feel of an organic-inspired shape. The final design brings together key elements from several Yoyofriends favorites: the balanced V/O shape ratio of the Overclock, the undercut rim design from the Stingray for increased rim weight and spin power, and the Raytracer-inspired center cup for added acceleration. The response area is polished for a clean, consistent bind, giving the Artifice a sharp, reliable feel in play.

Despite being monometal, the Artifice delivers performance on par with Yoyofriends’ flagship bimetals. It offers long spin times, excellent stability, and a powerful yet nimble feel on the string. After testing his prototype, James immediately switched to it for major contests, placing 6th at U.S. Nationals and 16th at Worlds.

Named for “clever or artful skill,” the Artifice is a reflection of James’ style and precision. It’s a high-performance monometal designed for players who want a fast, stable, and confident throw that performs at the highest level.