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 Sponsors and Curators
The Museum of Yo-Yo History is a labor of love, and we would not be able to stay up-to-date with exhibits without the support of our sponsors and curators. Big thanks go to One Drop Design and Duncan for supplying us with their latest models, YoYoExpert for their help and support, and to Cody Orr, TotalArtist and YoYoBrothers™ for allowing us to use their collections!
If you're a manufacturer, or just a big collector and you want to help support the Museum drop me at line at chimera@yoyomuseum.com
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| Duncan Freehand (JP version) |
| Exhibit #3692 |
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| Type | Production |
| Shape | Concave )-( |
| Axle | Bearing |
| Color | Translucent red |
| Packaging | Bubble Carded |
| Construction | Multi-piece plastic |
| Response | Friction Sticker |
| Gap | Adjustable - Spacers |
| Condition | Mint in Package |
| Date | 2004 |
| Owner | Rick Brough |
| Compare |  |
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The Japanese version of the Duncan Freehand, manufactured by Duncan in the USA, and licensed by Bandai for sale in Japan. Despite the year of release, this model was not a Duncan Freehand Zero. The "HyperYo-Yo" text printed on the yo-yo's side cap simply meant that it was an officially recognized yo-yo for use at any Bandai Hyper Yo-Yo certification center. Japanese yo-yo players could go to any one of these centers to earn awards for successful completion of certain tricks.
This model had some modifications made to it that differed from the US release of the Freehand II and Freehand Zero. To help center the flat, round Friction Sticker on both inner walls of the yo-yo, near the ball bearing axle, the yo-yo was molded with a slightly raised ridge. The side caps were also ultrasonically bonded to the plastic body. Ultrasonic welding permanently bonds the plastic side caps to the plastic body without the use of adhesives or mechanical fasteners. Why this manufacturing method was used on the Japanese Freehands is unknown. The side caps of the US models were removable and interchangable with other Freehands.
The Japanese Freehand was available in four body colors: red, blue, yellow, and black. Each came with one clear casino die counterweight. It was also available in a hard to find translucent red (seen in this exhibit) and translucent dark blue with matching translucent red or dark blue casino die counterweight and side caps.
According to the Duncan website, there were supposedly 500 Japanese Freehand yo-yos to sell in the U.S. and it was available only from the Duncan website. The rest were shipped to Japan. Released January 2004.
Original, mint in package Japanese Duncan Freehand yo-yos, such as the one in this exhibit, included only one counterweight which was always a dice. No other acessories were included such as extra counterweights, string, or spacers. If you see these sold or auctioned with one or more counterweights that are not clear dice (such as a ball or Duncan character head counterweight) inside the package, you are buying a tampered package. Also, check the color dot table on the back of the card in the packaging. If the yo-yo color and the checked color dot in the table do not match, then the package was tampered.
The clamshell used button snaps to securely close the package. Also, a strip of clear cellophane tape was applied to seal the left and ride side of the package.
The translucent red and blue versions of this model are hard to find.
Original retail price: $ US | |
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