Lets get started
Today I will be reviewing The CLYW Gnarwhal. Hope you enjoy the review.
Let me chuck some specs in yo face!
Diameter: 52.0 mm
Width: 41.4 mm
Gap Width: 4.10 mm
Weight: 66.0 grams
Bearing Size: Size C (.250 x .500 x .187)
Response: Flowable Silicone
Alright lets start with the packaging (that’s where all the cool kids start).
This package will be familiar to all current and former CLYW owners as a brown cardboard box. The difference of course is the design emblazoned on the front, this one being none other than the Jedi of the sea, the narwhal. Doing, of course, what narwhal’s do… skewering a sausage. This design brought to you by Jensen Kimmitt (look him up).
sorry about crappy pic, blame crappy camera.
Now it’s time to take it out of the package. Woooooo!
The Gnarwhal I purchased was the pink purple acid wash w/engraving (I both appreciate CLYW’s acid wash look and Kimmitt’s art so this fit nicely), needless to say the anodization is a big ol’ hunk of bead blasted perfection. Anyone who’s owned a CLYW before knows they are as much art pieces as they are spinning metal tethered projectiles.
Design
Well it’s an undersized yo-yo, but it’s large for an undersized yo-yo…if that makes any sense. Bigger than an 888 but not heavier than an 888, it definitely feels bigger than an 888. Fits nicely in my over sized hand, which is unusual for an undersized throw. The flowable silicone looks like it was poured by a machine, it’s perfect, and offers tight snappy binds. There’s a small lump in the gap near the silicone, I understand this is to prevent the sides of the gap from closing suicides (more on this later). The bearing is a standard size C bearing, the one in my Gnarwhal is very quiet out of the box, not dead silent, but quiet enough to keep from annoying your co-workers with your hobby. 
pictured next to GIANT puppy (for comparison)
Well how’s it play?
More solid than you might think, I only make this point first because it is not your standard floaty CLYW, the only other CLYW I’ve had the opportunity to throw is the BvM and that was, despite being heavier, a much more floaty yo-yo. From what I’ve heard most of the other CLYW yo-yo’s are even floatier still. It’s not a lead weight, it’s just not floating around like many of it’s predecessors. It’s lightweight but without very much hang-time, is the best way I can describe it, think SPYY Addiction if you’ve ever gotten to play with one.
It’s definitely competition worthy. It’s fast, changes direction as faster than you can think about it, it’s stable and has quite a decent spin time. It does have a minimal amount of vibe, like barely noticeable even if its hanging on your thumbnail, but definitely there (I’ve thrown three of them so I don’t think it’s an anomaly). Personally I don’t mind a small amount of vibe, lets you know it’s still spinning.
This thing sure is suicidal for such a beautiful throw. It’s not the best suicide machine I’ve ever used but it’s second only to the ILYY Fury (which makes more sense considering what a big ugly beast that yo-yo is). Slacks and whips are a bit more difficult for lack of float, but certainly not impossible. The bead blasting makes for silky smooth grinding. I watched my friend transfer a grind from his finger to the rim of his pocket, to his finger, to his other pocket, and back to his finger, and still had enough spin to do a tight bind. This was by no means a race against the clock.
Well that’s the Gnarwhal, a piece of art and a capable competitor. Certainly worth the price tag, as long as you’re not looking for something that will float right off the string.
Also, first review, let me know how I did. 
