Wow. The options available today have really raised the bar. The build quality, weight, materials, and fidget-ability of the new stuff is insane. Also the price tags.... Ouch.
My preference for fidgets is noisy, single handed functionality, mechanical feedback, heavy weight, interesting design, and exotic materials.
Anyways, I've recently grabbed some new fidgets. Been struggling a lot with dermatophagia recently and figured these might help, and they do. But some are better (for me) than others.
DJG Destroyer (Ti/Brass): Fun but not as great as I hoped. Thought this would be one of my top fidgets.
- My gripes: finger ring doesn't spin very freely, it is uncomfortable for my larger hands to grip properly, and the handle.... I am very torn on. Makes it better in some scenarios and worse in others. Too big (and similar to firearms) to carry with the handle.
- My hypes: noises from both spinners are very satisfying, feedback from the primary spinner when engaging the magnets is pretty awesome. If it was more comfortable, easily one of my tops.
- Rank: B-
01EDC Time Knight (Ti/Zirconium/Mokuti): Thought it was an impulse buy and I wouldn't be impressed. On arrival, that was true. Now that I've spent some time toying with it, WOW. In contention for #1.
- My gripes: clunky until it has a very small amount of dry lube on it, specifically the lever mechanism. The noise of the copper tuning forks/noise springs inside the main body - sounds like a spring which is just a bit unrefined for the price for me (but after removing them I put them back in because I've grown accustomed to them). Wish it was heavier. Kinda big for EDC but perfect size for fidgeting with. Price is crazy for exotic metals.
- My hypes: the finger ring is phenomenal - The spinning is the perfect weight and resistance and the feeling around my finger reminds me of the comfort of a worry stone (that indescribable comforting feeling when something feels like a perfect fit *chef's kiss*). The lever action after dry lube is phenomenal. The time capsule spinner is really exceptionally good. Materials, fit and finish is overall excellent.
- Rank: S-.
MUYI (NAYICI) Demoman (Damascus): Another one I thought would be an impulse buy regret.
- My gripes: doesn't have a great way to grip it for full function (single handed). The button on the handle... WTF? Only magnets hold it on - so easy to lose. It's popped off so many times I removed the assembly completely out of fear of losing it. Price is crazy for exotic metals.
- My hypes: the weight, damn this thing is chunky. The spinners are excellent, especially the bottom one. Huge fan of the dual function of it. (Bonus: it came with the screw I needed for to mount my shake bead to the artillery).
- Rank: A.
MUYI (NAYICI) Artillery (Zirconium/ZircuTi): Knew this would be my favorite before ordering. It didn't disappoint. (Bead, artillery, and ZircuTi plates purchased separately and assembled by me. Might explain the missing attachment screw.)
- My gripes: chunky after a lot of fidgeting, fixed with some dry lube. Pain in the ass to reassemble. The bead and the artillery did not come with an attachment screw.... But the Demoman did?
- My hypes: noise, weight, magnets, size, functionality, appearance, it hits all the marks. Fun to fidget with, both with and without engaging the punch release button. Bead puts it over the top. The feedback is insane.
- Rank (without bead): S.
- Rank (with bead): S+.
Ultimately, the Time Knight exceeded expectations, and the Artillery met my extremely high expectations. Artillery is so good I bought another. Demoman is as good as expected. Destroyer was slightly disappointing.
Next batch is another artillery/bead, musketeer/bead, and Ancient Iron. Guess we'll see how they stand up to the others!
