MKUltras - Micro Barrels Standard Metal Editions
MKUltras - Micro Barrels Standard Metal Editions
Our Micro Barrel beads stand out in our range. There's something special about the shape, particularly for raindrops, and they have a super slim profile that looks great on the wrist and takes up no space in the pocket. The Micro Barrels are an essentially cylindrical bead design, but with a convex curved outer edge. They are designed specifically for use with our 1.2mm kevlar cord, for those wanting a low profile, lightweight set that retains all the features we love about our Ultras. The nuanced design of the Micro Barrels, with its curvatures and rounding, makes them very comfortable in the hand and facilitates the light grip and release required for smooth raindrop style play. These flip around beautifully and are sure to become a player favourite.
These sets are all strung on 1.2mm kevlar cord for durability but please note that the lock beads do not hug in place with quite the same snugness as folks might be accustomed to from our larger beaded sets (those on 2mm kevlar), and is likely to require periodic re-cinching when worn, particularly for the heavier metals.
Short Form
These short form sets feature 19 of our Micro Barrel beads, with a small Droplet bead to cinch things together. These sets are distinctive looking, but are very low profile on the wrist, and take up no space in the pocket. They play very well, despite their small size, but be aware that for those accustomed to larger sets, the thin cord on these can take some getting used to during flipping.
Details:
- 19 x Micro Barrels + 1x small Droplet bead
- Micro Barrel dimensions: 6mm max diameter x 10mm, with a 2mm bore
- Copper, polished ~49g per set
- Brass, polished ~46g per set
- Stainless steel, polished ~43g per set
- Strung on AO2's new custom 12-strand, high density, 1.2mm Kevlar cord
Long Form
These long form sets feature 33 of our Micro Barrel beads, with a small Droplet bead to cinch things together. The small Droplets are friction fit for our 1.2mm kevlar cord, and do hold in place reasonably well, but the fit is less snug than on the boss beads of our larger sets, so if you're wearing these on your wrist, be prepared to occasionally slide the Droplet back up in place to keep them snug.
Details:
- 33 x Micro Barrels + 1x small Droplet bead
- Micro Barrel dimensions: 6mm max diameter x 10mm, with a 2mm bore
- Copper, polished ~76g per set
- Brass, polished ~72g per set
- Stainless steel, polished ~67g per set
- Strung on AO2's new custom 12-strand, high density, 1.2mm Kevlar cord
If you already own MKUltras on our thicker cords, be aware that the experience of flipping beads on a thinner cord can be quite different, as the cord itself disappears between the fingers. This can take some getting used to, but it ultimately foregrounds the experience of handling the beads themselves.
More general information can be found below, and for anyone interested in the full narrative and some moving visuals of these beauties, have a look at the November 2024 drop preview video below.
General Information on the MKUltras
The MKUltras are a hybrid design, combining elements of traditional Mala and Komboloi beads. The MKUltra name gives a nod to this lineage, as well as their expedience as tools to help us focus our minds and still our thoughts. They can be used in a variety of ways, ranging from quiet bead counting, through to raucous flipping.
The unique setup of the MKUltras allows them to be worn like mala beads, or carried discretely in the pocket. They adjust by means of a simple friction fit through the larger "Micro Boss" bead closure. Although the design is exceedingly simple, we're fairly confident you won't find anything quite like them around. This is a knotless system, and does not require any special lock bead. The cord is simply compressed when threaded through the Micro Boss bead, providing a reliable, secure fastener, that is easy to adjust when needed.
In this way, the Ultras can be worn on the wrist, or loosened and slid up above the elbow to keep them out of the way when needed. Excess cordage can be knotted loosely around the Micro Boss bead when they are worn on the wrist, or left dangling. This modifiable arrangement allows them to be used very quietly, for simple bead counting used in breath work and meditation, to "raindrop" methods marked by the satisfying, rhythmic clacking of the beads, as well as much more physical methods of manipulation which resemble short game begleri play. While they aren't intended as a highly technical skill toy, there are still a solid range of moves you can link together, and lots of ways of working with them.
New to the Ultras? You can wear em on your wrist, or check out the video below for some other examples of what these beads are capable of.
