Mini Hydras Begleri - Exotic Metal Editions
Mini Hydras Begleri - Exotic Metal Editions
General information on the Mini Hydras
Aroundsquare's Hydra Begleri are a fun yet highly capable modern adaptation of the traditional Greek multi-bead begleri. While the full Hydra begleri line includes different sizes, colours, and materials, and allows for mixing and matching of beads, the full titanium Mini Hydras have been praised by elite players as one of the best begleri sets available. There is something special about the size, shape, weight, and multi-bead configuration that makes the ti Mini Hydras a favourite that players keep coming back to.
The Mini Hydras are a slightly down-sized version of the original Hydra beads, 14mm in diameter, and 7mm tall each. They are drilled to accommodate 550 paracord, with an exposed knot. The multi-bead design allows for some configurability of weight, weight distribution, and appearance, as well as helping to make the set play a little bit softer and quieter than solid single-bead sets. The multiple beads also add a nice "fiddle factor" to each set. The rounding of all edges on the beads adds to the comfort and overall feel.
The Zirc + ice Edition
The zirc + ice begleri include beads machined from solid zirconium, paired with transparent acrylic, for a truly unique and striking appearance. The zirconium beads (6.4g each) are precision machined from solid zirc bars, polished, and torched, for a luxurious blackened finish. The clear acrylic "ice" beads (1.2g each) are heat polished, and include hand dyed variants, for customization of appearance. Both materials are relatively robust, but will show scratches and dings if dropped on hard surfaces or played hard. The sets are lightweight, but play slightly heavier than the weight would suggest due to the shape and weight distribution (when the zirc beads are placed at the extremities). They are available in multiple configurations.
- Full zirc: 4 zirc beads - 25g total
- Natty: 2 zirc + 4 clear - 18.6g total (16.2 in 4 bead config)
- Purple/ blue: 2 zirc, 2 purple, 2 blue - 18.6g total (16.2g in 4 bead config)
- Red/ orange: 2 zirc, 2 red, 2 orange - 18.6g total (16.2g in 4 bead config)
- Smoke: 2 zirc, 2 light smoke, 2 heavy smoke - 18.6g total (16.2g in 4 bead config)
- Two Zirc Slaytacular: 2 zirc, 2 tumbled SS, 2 tumbled bronze, 2 clear, 2 heavy smoke, 2 light smoke, 2 orange, 2 red, 2 purple, 2 blue, 2 cobalt blue
- Four Zirc Slaytacular: 4 zirc, 2 tumbled SS, 2 tumbled bronze, 4 clear, 2 heavy smoke, 2 light smoke, 2 orange, 2 red, 2 purple, 2 blue, 2 cobalt blue
The Mokume Gane + Ebony Edition
The Mokume Gane + Ebony edition ships as a six-bead setup weighing 23.1g all in with cord, including two beads mokume (8.4g each), and four ebony (1.0g each). The mokume would be pretty beastly on its own, so we paired it with the most fitting wood we had available, Ebony, to make a setup with a very playable weight. This model also plays very nicely as a four-bead setup, with the Mokume beads out at the ends to give lots of end weight to maintain momentum.
You can select polished or etched finish on the mokume gane beads. Both will patina nicely over time, and the copper layers will darken and contrast with the others. The etching creates a rough surface (similar to sandblasting) and tarnishes the metals slightly, for richer colours straight out of the box. In time, the polished beads will take on similar colouration. The ebony wood beads will also darken over time as they absorb oils from your hands. You can accelerate this process by oiling or waxing them with an appropriate non-toxic product.
- Set includes two mokume beads (8.4g each), and four ebony beads (1.0g each)
- Available in four finishes:
- Polished mokume with ebony
- Etched mokume with ebony
The MokuTi Edition
The MokuTi Edition is a four-bead setup, weighing in at 20g all in with cord, and about 4.4g per bead. The beads are made from two colour MokuTi, which is forged by folding together two different grades of titanium, then firing them at high temperature to unleash the colours. The finish holds up well to regular use and as a titanium product, the material can withstand heavy abuse.
The elegant Mokuti material is forged from folded layers of different titanium grades, then precision machined, polished, and torched to create eye-popping colour patterns, reminiscent of wood grain. Each piece is quite unique, with its own grain patterns and slight colour differences. All pieces range from dark purple to blue to grey, and include lighter orange/ gold striping. The beads shown in the photos are representative of the range (the remaining pieces are vacuum sealed to preserve the initial finish).
As a titanium product, MokuTi is highly durable. The polished finish is reasonably durable in normal use, but will eventually show scratches and may fade through use. However, one of the beautiful aspects of this material is that it can be re-finished innumerable times, giving slightly different colours and contrasts each time depending on how it is torched.
This elegant set of begleri may not be for everyone due to its price point, but for those who know what they're getting into, you're bound to cherish them.
- Set includes four MokuTi beads (4.4g each)
- Please note that items included in the package (strings, stickers, patches, bags etc.) vary in colour and quantity depending on availability.
Please note that items included in the package (strings, stickers, patches, bags etc.) vary in colour and quantity depending on availability.
New to begleri? Check out Aroundsquare's AO2 Crew demonstrating what this toy's all about, via the talented guys at Kuma Films
