MKUltras - Exotic Metal Mini Sigma Editions

MKUltras - Exotic Metal Mini Sigma Editions

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.

Mini Sigma Short Form

The MKUltras Mini Sigma consists of 31x 9mm beads, with a 11.8mm Micro Boss bead to close/ adjust the loop. The MKUltras Mini Sigma Long Form consists of 51x 9mm beads, with a 11.8mm Micro Boss bead to close/ adjust the loop These beads are lighter than the original Ultras, making them easier to flip in the manner of begleri, and the cylindrical shape and relatively larger number of beads makes them excellent for the raindrop style of play. Click here to see the Ultras in action on our Instagram feed.

Mini Sigma Long Form

The MKUltras Mini Sigma Long Form consists of 43x 9mm beads, with a 15mm Micro Boss bead and a 11.8mm Boss Mic bead to close/ adjust the loop. These long form sets are optimized for raindrops, wrist wear, and bead counting. The cylindrical shape of the Mini Sigmas, and relatively larger number of beads makes them excellent for raindrops, and the beads give a very distinctive look when worn on the wrist. The long forms, in general, are less nimble for flipping and tricks, compared with the shorter length Ultras and begleri, but with practice a wide range of moves and flows can be performed. The longer, heavier sets are particularly suited for open-handed play, and low key flipping, which will appeal to players who like the option of manipulating the beads, but are less interested in complex technical play. Click here to see the Ultras in action on our Instagram feed.

Zirconium Editions

The beautiful zirconium edition of the MKUltras are precision machined from solid zirc, and then polished and torched to a gorgeous finish. The material has a deep grey/ black finish, which has the appearance of some depth.

Details: 

• Short Form
  • 31x 9mm sigma-style beads (similar to but smaller than the sigma begleri) + 1x 11.8mm Micro Boss (~62g) 
• Long Form
  • 43x 9mm sigma-style beads (similar to but smaller than the sigma begleri) + 1x 15mm Micro Boss + 1X 11.8mm Boss Mic (~97g)
• All beads drilled with 3.5mm bore
• Ships on AO2's new custom 100% silk cord, and includes a spare strand of our new custom 2mm Kevlar cord

Mokuti Editions

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. When machined to our specifications, the grains of the material become exposed in a way that accentuates the appearance of the curves, creating a beautiful topographic relief.

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 pieces shown in the photos are representative of the range (the remaining pieces are vacuum sealed to preserve the initial finish).

Details: 

• Short Form
• 31x 9mm sigma-style beads (similar to but smaller than the sigma begleri) + 1x 11.8mm Micro Boss ( ~43g per set) 
• Long Form
• 43x 9mm sigma-style beads (similar to but smaller than the sigma begleri) + 1x 15mm Micro Boss + 1X 11.8mm Boss Mic (~68g per set)
• All beads drilled with 3.5mm bore
• Mokuti material, heat treated and polished 
• Ships on AO2's new custom 100% silk cord, and includes a spare strand of our new custom 2mm Kevlar cord

Zircuti Editions

The elegant Zircuti material is forged from folded layers of titanium and zirconium, then precision machined, polished, and torched to create eye-popping colour patterns, reminiscent of wood grain. When machined to our specifications, the grains of the material become exposed in a way that accentuates the appearance of the curves, creating a beautiful topographic relief.

Each piece is distinct, with its own grain patterns. This edition is only available polished, with a shallow etch, giving just the faintest impression of the material texture, and a very unique feel during play. The photos provided are all unedited, and shot with bright indoor lighting, to give a true depiction of what you’ll be getting. The pieces depicted are quite representative of the range. The polished finish is durable in normal use, but will eventually show scratches and may fade through repeated contact with other pocket items etc. 

Details:

• Short Form
• 31x 9mm sigma-style beads (similar to but smaller than the sigma begleri) + 1x 11.8mm Micro Boss ( ~52g per set) 
• Long Form
• 43x 9mm sigma-style beads (similar to but smaller than the sigma begleri) + 1x 15mm Lil Boss + 1X 11.8mm Boss Mic (~78g per set)
• All beads drilled a with 3.5mm bore
• Zircuti material, heat treated and polished 
• Ships on AO2's new custom 100% silk cord, and includes a spare strand of our new custom 2mm Kevlar cord

NOTE: The pricing on the Ultras is a function of the per bead production cost x the number of beads. With sets requiring many small beads, the production savings in raw material is negligible, but the per bead costs for handling and finishing are multiplied by a larger factor. This is why sets with many small beads can end up being more costly than those with fewer larger beads. 

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.