Commons Begleri - Acrylic/Stainless Steel Edition
Commons Begleri - Acrylic/ Stainless Steel Edition
Our Commons beads are AO2's take on the classic barrel shape. The acrylic/ stainless steel begleri sets can be configured with the heavier metal bead on the inside for quicker, nimbler play, or on the outside, for slower play that benefits from more momentum. While the overall set weight is low at around 16.9g all in, placing the stainless steel beads on the outside make the set feel and play like a substantially heavier set.
The acrylic material makes a great pairing with the stainless steel. The acrylics are nicely polished, and although they are less durable than delrin, they hold up surprisingly well to the trials of begleri play.
Note: while the red, green, and black material are all swirled with white material, the swirling is most apparent in the red and green beads, with the blacks being quite understated. In addition, the red and green colour are translucent to transparent, while the black is largely opaque.
Details:
- Featuring: 2x Stainless Steel Commons beads + 2x Acrylic Commons bead
- Set weight: ~16.9g all in, depending on cord choice
General Info on the Commons Design
The Commons get their name from the ubiquity of their shape in traditional Greek begleri and komboloi. These barrel-shaped beads are timeless in their simplicity, and very similar beads can be found in a wide range of materials ranging from inexpensive plastics through to semi-precious stones. The Commons design is our take on this classic shape, and the result is both fresh and familiar. Although they have commonalities with our Standards series, they nonetheless stand out in Aroundsquare's lineup. The stacked bead design has a distinctly traditional vibe, but the choice of lightly polished titanium gives them a clean, minimalist look that fits squarely in our range.
The individual Common beads have a 1:1 aspect ratio, meaning the two-stack setup is longer feeling than most of our sets, much like our Micro Bosses. However, the cylindrical shape of the beads provides a nice element of control when manipulating the beads during play. The beads feature a 3.5mm "Goldilocks" bore, making them suitable for play with either 275 or 550 paracord, and the generously rounded bore makes it relatively easy to thread 550. However, where these beads really thrive is on thinner cord, much like the common Greek beads on which they are based. They will ship with two strands of our new 2mm high density kevlar cord, as well as a selection of 550 paracord.
New to begleri? Check out Aroundsquare's AO2 Crew demonstrating what this toy's all about, via the talented guys at Kuma Films (below). You may also want to visit our general information page on begleri, or do a deep dive on the history, configurations, or manipulation of this remarkable little toy.
