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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 Zero - Duncan Crew Worldwide |
| Exhibit #4375 |
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| Type | Special Release |
| Shape | Concave )-( |
| Axle | Bearing |
| Color | Black |
| Packaging | Bubble Carded |
| Construction | Multi-piece plastic |
| Response | Friction Sticker |
| Gap | Adjustable - Spacers |
| Condition | Mint |
| Date | 2005 |
| To | 2006 |
| Owner | Rick Brough |
| Compare |  |
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The Freehand Zero Duncan Crew Worldwide was the signature yo-yo of Duncan's international group of professional yo-yo demonstrators. There were eleven Duncan "crews" made up of varying numbers and represented in the following countries (this list is from February 2015):
• Brazil (5 members)
• Czech Republic (5 members)
• Hong Kong (2 members)
• Hungary (4 members)
• Japan (7 members)
• Malaysia (4 members)
• Mexico (2 members)
• Philippines (7 members)
• Singapore (6 members)
• Taiwan (1 member)
• USA (19 members)
From the yo-yo.com website:
"Duncan® Crew Worldwide is a team of sponsored players in eleven countries who represent the pinnacle of yo-yo skill across the globe.
Among the Crew Members are World Champions, National Champions, National Masters, technical players, stylish players, innovators, and performers.
Every member of Duncan Crew Worldwide has proven to be an inspiration both to the players around them, and to players around the world.
Duncan Crew membership cannot be applied for; if you are good enough you will be invited to join. We do not accept applications or videos, as Duncan Crew Worldwide is purely by invitation."
The above description was eventually replaced by Duncan in mid 2015 with the following version:
"The Duncan Crew is an elite team of world class yo-yo players. Both up and comers and living legends, world champions, and soon-to-be champions. They represent many of the world's best. They inspire, test, and improve every product we make."
From what I can gather, Duncan Crew Worldwide began in 2005 about the time when this Freehand Zero edition came out. At one point, the worldwide crew consisted of 64 demonstrators in September 2011, and 62 demonstrators in February 2015. Around April 2015, the crew was downsized by Duncan to less than twenty total crew members. Today, in 2023, a worldwide crew continues to be sponsored by Duncan, but on a much smaller scale. There is no longer a Duncan webpage devoted to the worldwide crew.
The yo-yo itself uses a size A ball bearing axle along with Duncan Friction Stickers. Came with three counterweights: a Duncan Flying Panda head, a blue rubber ball, and a yellow die.
The Freehand Zero was first released in the summer of 2004. Steve Brown, inventor of the Freehand yo-yo and freehand yo-yo play was employed by Duncan from September 1999 to April 2006. Freehand Zeros made between 2004 and April 2006 included one of the following randomly assigned counter-weight characters:
• Caricature head of the Duncan Yo-Yo kid
• Caricature of a red die with eye glasses and an attitude
• Caricature head of a monkey
• Caricature head of the Duncan flying panda
• Caricature head of Steve Brown
• Caricature of a silver metallic skull
Freehand Zeros made after April 2006 no longer included pictures of Steve Brown on the back of the package (although Duncan continued to use up their remaining stock of packaging that still had Steve Brown's likeness on it; it would take another 5-7 months before updated packaging was put into production). In addition, his caricature head on the front of the package, along with his caricature counter-weight head were both removed. In their place was added a caricature of the Duncan Flying Squirrel head. All remaining five caricature counter-weights continued to be randomly included in the packaging:
• Caricature head of the Duncan Yo-Yo kid
• Caricature of a red die with eye glasses and an attitude
• Caricature head of a monkey
• Caricature head of the Duncan Flying Panda
• Caricature head of the Duncan Flying Squirrel
• Caricature of a silver metallic skull
After a Freehand Zero package was opened, you could easily swap bodies and side caps from other Freehand Zeros to create new visual variations. For that reason, these special editions are best collected in their original, unopened packaging, especially if you are a collector.
Like so many other Duncan Freehand Zeros, the total claimed production number for these custom editions varies from person to person and from website to website. Generally, these special editions were 200 or less. It is unknown how this particular version was retailed.
Original retail price: $35 US | |
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