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| Duncan FreeHand Zero - Sakura |
| Exhibit #4188 |
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| Type | Production |
| Shape | Concave )-( |
| Axle | Bearing |
| Color | Pink Glitter/White |
| Packaging | Bubble Carded |
| Construction | Multi-piece plastic |
| Response | Friction Sticker |
| Diameter | 57.15mm |
| Width | 38.1mm |
| Gap | Adjustable - Spacers |
| Gap Width | 2.85mm |
| Weight | 66gm |
| Condition | Mint |
| Date | 2006 |
| To | 2007 |
| Owner | Rick Brough |
| Compare |  |
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The Duncan Freehand Zero - Sakura was a special signature edition made for Duncan Crew Japan. Features a pink body embedded with silver glitter and white side caps with a black imprint of a cherry blossom branch and "Duncan Crew Japan" text; pink imprint of one full cherry blossom on the black branch and six cherry blossom petals and the "Duncan" logo in pink. This motif has been a recurring theme over the years on various Duncan yo-yos. Most recently the Duncan Freehand AL and the Duncan Freehand One AL. Other yo-yo makers have also used cherry blossom imagery, including AODA's Cherry Blossom, and YoYoFactory's One Star - Cherry Blossom.
While this special, unique edition is the signature yo-yo of Duncan Crew Japan, the edition also commemorated the pink cherry blossom season of Japan, signaling the start of springtime. The opposite side of the yo-yo features the Freehand Zero logo in pink.
Notice that Steve Brown's counterweight image was no longer represented in the column of collectible counterweights pictured on the package front (see exhibit 3561 for one such example). Steve Brown, a Duncan employee and inventor of the Freehand yo-yo, resigned from Duncan in April 2006. His counterweight head was replaced by the buck toothed Duncan Flying Squirrel head counterweight sometime after April 2006 or in 2007. That small detail can help you date, by year, any Freehand Zero model that included one of six character counterweights.
About the time this yo-yo model came out in 2006 or 2007, the Duncan Japan Crew consisted of seven (the number fluctuated over ten years) Duncan-payrolled yo-yo players and demonstrators. The all-male crew consisted of up and comers, living legends, world champions, and soon-to-be champions. The group represented many of the world's best. They also inspired, tested, and improved every product that Duncan made.
The Freehand Zero was an updated and improved version of the original Duncan Freehand. Size A ball bearing axle, take apart design, and Duncan Friction Stickers for response. The string gap was adjustable with two sets of included shims. A set of silver spacers (pre-installed) for a standard gap and original response/play. And, a set of brass spacers, seen to the left of the yo-yo, for a wide gap and dead response play. Also came with three collectible counterweights. In this case, the Duncan Boy head, a yellow rubber bouncy ball, and one yellow die.
A hard to find Freehand Zero edition.
Recipe
Diameter: 57.15mm
Width: 38.1mm
Gap width: 2.85mm
Weight: 66gm
Bearing: Size A
Response: Friction Stickers (12mm)
Original retail price: $35 US. | |
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