The weights often are nuts (such as buckeyes and even machine nuts), while in the eskimo yo-yo version of the polar regions small sealskin balls are filled with sand for weight.
Mountain Bolo
(or Eskimo Yo Yo)
|
This skill toy contains two small balls at the end of the
string. The string has a small loop near the center, but the lengths of string are
unequal to avoid a clash of the weights. Grasping the center loop, the object is to
make the two weights orbit in opposite directions (counter rotate) by moving the hand up
and down or back and forth. This looks quite easy, but it isn't until the straight
line movement is mastered. The weights often are nuts (such as buckeyes and even machine nuts), while in the eskimo yo-yo version of the polar regions small sealskin balls are filled with sand for weight. |
| MATERIALS: 2
(a) balls, hardwood 1 and three eighths inches diameter by 1 and one fourth inches
long |
 |
The two balls are turned in a lathe and drilled through the axis with a one eighth inch drill. The cord is cut to 38 inches, threaded through the two balls, and tied with an overhand knot on either side of the balls. The cord is tied with an overhand loop for a handhold. This loop is near the center, but one cord is slightly longer than the other. This lets the two balls pass each other without hitting.
This toy requires a little practice before it can be mastered. An easy way to begin is to place the bolo on the ground with the two balls out straight, and then pick up the loop in a straight up movement. This gets you off to a good even start. Other methods of starting can be learned later.