The Wartenberg pinwheel is a BDSM/Fetish/Kink device used in sensory play. It can be used to tickle, tease and prickle the skin and exciting erotic way or it can be used for punishment. My review is coming from a pleasure point of few. The wheel has tiny little spike like pins all the way around it that you push across your partner's skin to spice things up in the bedroom. It's original use is in the medical field and used to test for damage of the nerves. The spikes are sharp but won't draw blood unless you get rough and really press down hard enough to puncture the skin.
We are beginners to sensory type of play and when we first got this toy I thought maybe we should have went with the less sharper/smaller option that Eden offers but we have warmed up to this pinwheel. With that being said, it can be used by beginners that use it lightly at first and listen to their partner when it comes to where it hurts to use it on the body and how hard/lightly to apply pressure. It is perfect for those that are more "advanced" and know exactly what they like and want.

It doesn't look at all like a sex toy object but if left out I'm sure people would wonder what it is and why you have it so I think it's best to keep it hidden away. I wouldn't say this is an item you could toss into your purse because it is sharp and "pokey" but if packed carefully you could take it along in an overnight bag or suitcase.

The Wartenberg pinwheel looks very much like a medical device of some sort (which it is). It is slightly intimidating to a beginner. It would probably freak out someone that is afraid of needles because of how sharp it is.
The small wheel has 22 spikey pins around it. It is lightweight and made of chrome stainless steel. One small screw through the middle of the wheel holds it into the handle. The handle is about 5 1/2" until it reaches the "head" part that the wheel is attached to. There are three ridges on both sides of the handle that provide a grip for it.
The wheel turns vary smoothly and easily. It does have a "jingle" noise when using that sounds like utensils smacked together lightly.
It is very sturdy and durable. I don't see this toy breaking on us ever; it is made to last a very long time. The spikes are solidly firm and won't bend or break under pressure.
The entire instrument is 6 3/4" long. It fits easily into any hand and is easy to maneuver.
It feels like cool metal but will heat up to your body temperature when held in your hand. It doesn't really have any noticeable smell at all.

On its side:

In the upright position as it would be in use:

A close up of the wheel:

The Wartenberg pinwheel was a bit intimidating when we first got it. It was very sharp feeling to us and we were unsure. After playing around with it some more we have actually grown to like it. There are some parts of the body that it feels better on than others. There are some areas that we won't take it like the genitals and nipples; just too sensitive of an area for us.

It seems to feel different on different days, I'm guessing it depends on the mood and state of arousal. The pleasure and feeling seems to be heightened when you are turned on.

It is a fun instrument to incorporate into foreplay to tease and tickle your partner. It does feel like tiny little pin pricks running down your body but it can be pleasurable instead of painful depending on how much pressure you apply to it. I was very surprised to learn that I actually like this thing! It looks so sinister and painful but it really doesn't have to be. It's more like a tingly, prickly, dull pain. Not something that left me saying "please, no more", in fact it was quite the opposite!

It is nice to run across the stomach, back, arms and legs. You really could use it on any body part as long as you are careful of your safety. We haven't drawn blood from using it but I'm pretty sure you very well could.

I took a picture while pressing lightly on my fiance's arm. If you really look you can slightly see the compression of the skin:


You will want to make sure to put this up when you are done using it and not leave it laying out on the bed. It isn't a pleasant feeling to unexpectedly sit down on. It also doesn't feel good when you unknowingly go to lean back on your hands and are reminding you forgot to put it up! It leave indentations when that happens.

You can use a mild soap and warm water, alcohol, 10% bleach solution or toy wipe to clean it. Be sure to dry it off to prevent it from rusting. When storing it you want to be sure to keep it away from things that it can snag or poke holes in.

The pinwheel was very fun to use. It was new and exciting to us. It is a great teaser. It's hard to put into words for me how it felt when you are aroused, it's a good slight pain, not a bad one. It is very pleasurable and erotic to use with your partner in the bedroom. I enjoy it on my chest, arms, lower legs, back and especially the bottoms of my feet. I don't know what it is but running it along me feet feels SO good and relaxing.