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The Strix really is a very nice everyday throw for the price. The Strix does not amaze in any way, but it absolutely out-performs all of the rest of Duncan’s current line of mid-range metal yoyos which is great news for players looking for something less expensive than the Barracuda. With a more modern and angular body, this and the Barracuda are without a doubt the two best metal yoyos that Duncan has to offer. I was nervous about the angular body hurting my hand, but it’s actually quite comfortable.

It has the very slight amount of vibe that is generally characteristic of lower-end metal yoyos…not at all noticeable on the string, but you can feel it on grinds. Duncan’s “SG Stickers” seem to bind rather inconsistently and drag a bit during play, but replacing them with nearly any other 19mm thin pad improves the play and response dramatically and decreases the chances of a surprise return resulting in #yoyodamage.

It excels at 1A and is better-than-average at counterweight play, but lacks the stability of a truly excellent counterweight yoyo.

LOOKS

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The yoyo is machined fairly well, but the finish is absolutely beautiful! Each yoyo is polished before being anodized, giving the finished product a shine that stands out in the market. This particular finish is absolutely a triumph for Duncan, as they’ve released a metal yoyo that doesn’t look like every other metal yoyo on the market…something that few have been able to accomplish.

Unfortunately, you have to get it out of some truly horrible packaging to get to that beautiful finish. The Strix logo is amateurish at best, and the packaging is the typically awful “kids think lightning is cool” nonsense that seems to indicate that Duncan’s graphic designers are taking their visual cues from 1998.

The engraving pattern is subtle and interesting, but a bit fuzzy due to the detail being a bit too small to be engraved in such a limited space. The overall effect is nice, though, as it adds a bit of texture without using up all the available real estate on the side of the yoyo.

VALUE

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With a retail price of $55 – $60, the Strix is a fantastic value for anyone looking for a competition-worthy yoyo from Duncan and inexpensive enough that if it becomes your main player you can afford a couple of backups.

The Strix is a solid offering from Duncan Toys, and it certainly beats their previous efforts in the mid-range of metal yoyos (Echo, Metropolis, Metal Drifter, etc). If Duncan maintains consistent quality across the full production run (which, according to them their new machine shop is doing a wonderful job with these) then the Strix could easily become the go-to competition throw for Duncan players, right behind the Barracuda. It will look great in your case and on the string, and at this price it’s most certainly worth picking up.

Click Here To Buy The Duncan Strix