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For our new inventory and a better vibe, head over to our new site at www.ao2worldwide.com While we transition, you’ll find some deals below. Thanks for your patience as we migrate.
Please note that all prices below are in USD. Aroundsquare is based in Victoria, Canada, and items ship worldwide. Standard shipping time is around two weeks to Canada and the United States, but can take longer (depending mostly on US Customs clearance). Normal shipping times to other countries are around three weeks. Please, and very kindly, understand that if you enter a wrong or incomplete address, the item you're purchasing probably won't get to you. Remember your apartment number, and correct zip code/ postal code!
For wholesale inquiries or other questions, please contact Aroundsquare. We encourage you to shop local, so please visit our growing list of retail partners to find one in your area, and if they aren't carrying the specific products you're interested in, ask them! Please feel welcome to leave a comment on our blog, review our products on amazon or email us: info@aroundsquare.com
Titan (Titanium) Begleri
Titan (Titanium) Begleri
The Titan begleri from Aroundsquare are precision machined from grade five titanium. They feature an innovative "gumdrop" bead design unlike else on the market, with a domed top for very smooth play, and a straight, knurled barrel for superior control. They are extremely durable and very well weighted, and the bead design plays, feels, and looks amazing. The Titans are 19mm by 19mm, and weigh in at 17g per bead. They come with several extra strings, a fist full of stickers, a canvas carry bag, an info card, and a slick little gift box.
About the PVD coating: Titanium can be anodized like aluminum, but the range of colours is limited, and the anodized finish is similar in durability to that of anodized aluminum. Physical vapour deposition (PVD) coating is a process that creates a much more robust colouring. In addition, because titanium is much harder than aluminum, scratches and nicks are less likely to show up. In general, the PVD coatings "age" more gracefully than anodized aluminum.
Aroundsquare works to identify and use the best available materials and processes, but all colours are prone to wear after extended use and drops. Players literally beat these beads against each other for hours each day. The colourings are not painted on, and do not "chip", but they are very thin, and will show scratches and nicks over time, especially if dropped on rough surfaces like concrete.
Colours may not be exactly as shown, and look different in different lighting. There may be slight blemishes, and some are lighter or darker than others.. We've manually pulled out any significant flaws in our quality control process, but we haven't concerned ourselves with minor discolourations, because once they are out of the box you're going to be hammering them and dropping them. Right?
The Titan design is the result of months of development, multiple prototypes, and hundreds of hours of play testing with feedback from players all around the world. As part of our commitment to help grow and develop the begleri community, we have priced them to be accessible. We wanted to make a top notch begleri set available to any committed player. There aren't many titanium begleri on the market, and those that occasionally become available are usually priced at $90-110. But don't let the price of the Titans fool you. These are serious begleri for serious players. We've made no compromises at all on this product.
The gr5 titanium is one of the most durable materials available, and the density of titanium allows for a large bead without being overweight. As with any begleri, you can expect them to "age" over time. The gr5 Ti tends to darken slightly with regular handling. Ti is much harder than aluminum and most other metals, but it will still scratch and ding when dropped. We expect the Titans to be smashed together and dropped repeatedly, and you'll find that they eventually develop a bit of additional texture that helps with the bead control. As you gain control and drop them less, the constant hammering and handling may lead to a glossier appearance. Rather than trying to keep them looking new, treat it as a process of cultivation, reflecting the hours of play you've put into them.
The weight and shape of the titans make them excellent for advanced tricks like rolls and wraps that require momentum and stability. At the same time, however, the weight (around 17g per bead) makes them less suitable for children.. Aroundsquare will be releasing some lighter options soon for young players.