MKUltras - Zircuti Mini Sigma Editions
MKUltras - Zircuti Mini Sigma Editions
The distinctive Zircuti editions of the MKUltras are in simply stunning. The 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.
The Long Form editions of the MKUltras are designed with additional length and beads, allowing them to be worn in a double loop around the wrist, and providing extra length for satisfying raindrops and bead counting. The Zircuti Long Forms feature a 15mm Boss bead to close the loop, and additional beads on the tassels.
The Mini Sigma Design
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 43 x 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.
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
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.
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.
