The Making of the Relativity Drop: Blacklist 004

How a Brass Ball Marker Became a Tribute to Genius, Creativity, and the Rebellion of Play

At Kraken Golf, I don't make tools. I forge identity. Each Blacklist Drop is a challenge-a statement-an artifact. And Drop 004, the Relativity Drop, might be the boldest one yet.

This isn't just a golf ball marker. It's a tribute to rebellion. A nod to imagination. A 32-gram declaration that play isn't about rules. It's about reinvention. Featuring a sculpted brass EDC-style body, inlaid aluminum hair, black and white leather accents, and Kraken logos laser-burned into the eyes of Einstein himself, this drop is my love letter to those who think different, swing different, and live outside the scorecard.

This is the making of the Relativity Drop.

Chapter 1: Why Einstein?

Before the sketches, the brass, the inlays, the polish-there was a question: who represents the fusion of intellect and rebellion?

Einstein wasn't just a physicist. He was a symbol. Of nonconformity. Of curiosity. Of genius unafraid of play. His tongue-out photo is one of the most iconic in human history. His theory of relativity changed the world. And his belief that imagination is more important than knowledge? That was the spark.

At Kraken, I don't worship tradition. I challenge it. Einstein was the perfect muse.

Chapter 2: Designing a Legend

The concept started with one phrase: IMAGINATION > PAR.

From there, the design took on a dual form. The front would be the thinker-Einstein, serious and iconic, with an edge. The back would be the wink-Einstein with tongue out, surrounded by golf symbols, logos, and rebellion.

The biggest challenge? Capturing the wildness of his hair, the intensity of his stare, and the subtle humanity of a genius-within just 1.35 inches.

Chapter 3: The Inlay That Broke the Machine

I chose aluminum for the hair-not just for contrast, but for its ability to hold ultra-fine engraving. And then I pushed the boundaries.

Multiple CNC failures later, I finally dialed in a cut for the aluminum inserts that matched the chaos of Einstein's signature hair. Each piece was laser-engraved with high-frequency detail to bring the lines to life.

Chapter 4: Leather Meets Metal

I milled out cavities in the brass to lay full-grain leather inlays for the jacket (black) and shirt (white). Each piece was laser cut and set by hand. The contrast in texture is a subtle luxury-not something you see on most markers.

Chapter 5: The Eyes of the Kraken

Einstein's eyes feature the Kraken logo, laser-burned deep into the brass and darkened by controlled patina. A symbol of clarity, rebellion, and disruptive creativity. Subtle to most. Obvious to the few.

Chapter 6: The Backside of Brilliance

On the reverse side, Einstein sticks his tongue out in defiance. Surrounded by golf icons and crowned with the engraved truth: IMAGINATION > PAR.

I used deeper etch passes and media blasting to give the background texture and depth. The typeface? Cold war brutalist. Because imagination should hit like a weapon.

Chapter 7: The Stats That Matter

• Material: Solid naval brass
• Inlays: Anodized aluminum (hair), full-grain leather (jacket & shirt)
• Weight: 32 grams
• Size: 1.35" diameter, 0.15" thick
• Engraving: Kraken logos for eyes, IMAGINATION > PAR on reverse
• Packaging: Custom collector's box + signed COA + QR-linked provenance

Chapter 8: The Philosophy Behind the Drop

The Blacklist series isn't about golf. It's about transformation.

Drop 004 is about thought. It's about edge. It's about choosing creativity over conformity. Like Einstein, this marker doesn't just ask questions-it demands them.

What if you played differently?

Conclusion: The Legacy of Relativity

This drop says you don't just swing a club-you think. You disrupt. You imagine.

Genius doesn't wear khakis. Genius marks the green in brass and leather.

If you're holding this marker, you're part of the few. You're on the Blacklist.