It was great to meet with the representatives from Duncan Toys at the recent Toy Fair. I got a great opportunity to view some of the new products and have highlighted a few of them below.
The Duncan Toys Company is an American toy manufacturer based in Middlefield, Ohio, best known for its yo-yo line. The company was founded in 1929 by Donald F. Duncan, Sr. In 1968, it became a division of Flambeau, Inc.
Yo-yo Product Line
The Imperial is the classic model that made Duncan yo-yos famous; a fixed-axle plastic yo-yo in a traditional silhouette. Available in many colors, the Imperial is the “starter yo-yo” in the Duncan line.
The Butterfly is nearly as old as the Imperial, a fixed-axle plastic yo-yo in a butterfly silhouette. Available in many colors, the Butterfly is another “starter yo-yo” in the Duncan line.
The BumbleBee is a plastic ball-bearing transaxle yo-yo with a modified silhouette. The Bumblebee has a take-apart construction and removable endcaps. This design was acquired when Duncan bought Playmaxx and it was originally sold as the Turbo Bumblebee.
The Dragonfly is the same as the BumbleBee, but in a butterfly silhouette. Another Playmaxx design, it was originally sold under the name, Turbo Bumblebee GT.
The Speed Beetle is a plastic take-apart yo-yo in a traditional silhouette, designed for looping. It has a ball-bearing transaxle in a take-apart design with adjustable gap and extra spacers.
The ProYo is a plastic take-apart yo-yo in a modified silhouette. With a fixed wooden axle and removable end-caps, the ProYo is designed for intermediate looping play. Formerly manufactured by the Playmaxx/ProYo Company.
The ProFire is a plastic transaxle yo-yo with removable endcaps in a modified silhouette. Unlike other transaxles, the ProFire has a brass sleeve rotating around the axle. Formerly known as the Playmaxx ProFire, it was designed to excel at looping.
The ProFly is the same as the ProYo, but in a butterfly silhouette
The Mosquito is an undersized plastic take-apart ball-bearing yo-yo, intended by Duncan as a “budget” entry-level ball bearing yo-yo. Although equipped with friction stickers the yo yo will not respond if removed.
The Flying Squirrel is an undersized plastic take-apart ball-bearing yo-yo, designed for speed and freehand play. Internal weights in the Flying Squirrel bring the sleep ability up to a regular-sized yo-yo in a smaller package. Each half comes apart with a screwdriver for weight adjustment or end-cap replacement.
The Throwmonkey is a plastic transaxle yo-yo in a butterfly silhouette. Primarily designed for string tricks, it has over-molded rubber edges for enhanced grip and a high rim weight than yo-yos like the Freehand. Usually packaged with a “superball” counterweight for freehand tricks, as well as an instructional CD-ROM.
The Flying Panda is a yo-yo designed for off-string tricks. With over molded rubber edges for longer lasting play.
They are so many products in the line but I got a chance to review three of the top products and I want to share it with you.
Despicable Me Proyo
The Despicable Me Proyo features 6 collectible designs of the world-famous movie characters! The Proyo offers a sleek wooden axle sleeve for easy returns, a take-apart design for easy knot removal, and a patented design that makes looping tricks easier than ever before.
Hello Kitty Butterfly XT
The upscale Butterfly XT™ features 4 designs and includes a ball bearing axle for 5 times more spin time than classic yo-yos. More spin time allows for more tricks!
Reflex
The Reflex is the easiest yo-yo for new players. The Reflex returns to the hand without having to tug the string! In the center of the yo-yo is a centrifugal clutch. As the yo-yo’s loses spin, this clutch engages around the axle and the Reflex automatically snaps back to the hand, all on its own. The Reflex’s take-apart design also makes knot removal a cinch, and it’s lightweight, wide shape makes learning new tricks simpler than ever before.
Disclosure Many thanks to Duncan Toys for providing the products in exchange for this review and post, however all opinions expressed here are my own.
Leave a Reply