The Wartenberg Pinwheel is normally used by medical personnel to test neurological response to pain stimulus. It was designed by Robert Wartenberg and generally is made of stainless steel. The wheel has evenly spaced sharp needle-like spokes that roll and the wheel is usually attached to a handle that is around 7 inches in length. The needles are very sharp and can pierce the skin which is why there is a plastic version that can be used for a patient and then thrown away or recycled as medical waste.

That's the medical use for the Wartenberg Pinwheel, now for the sex toy! The Wartenberg Pinwheel by The Stockroom is a lovely, graceful and yet totally evil looking device that has many uses for an adventurous couple (or triple). It is made of metal, and measures approximately 6.75 inches. The wheel has 22 evenly spaced needle sharp points which provide the pain stimulus to the skin when rolled over it.

The pinwheel doesn't weigh an awful lot at .1 lb so it's not going to cause wrist or hand fatigue. It fits in the hand easily and is angled for comfort. It will allow you to vary the pressure easily and without hand cramping.
Pair this with a set of restraints and a blindfold and you have a sensory experience like no other. It can be lightly run over the skin for a teasing, tickling sensation or more force can be applied which will actually hurt if you aren't careful. You can draw blood if you apply too much force even though it's only pinpricks.

Cleaning this device is amazingly simple and a hot water wash with mild soap will be just about all you need if it gets covered with lube or other oils/fluids. You can boil the Pinwheel, wash it in the dishwasher utensil rack, spray it with a 10% bleach and water mix, or use a commercial anti-bacterial toy spray. The important part of cleaning this baby is to dry it thoroughly to prevent any oxidation. Now it's a small risk that it will rust but it's better to be safe than sorry. As long as it is taken care of you will never need to buy another! Since this toy can draw blood you need to be absolutely certain that your playmate, partner or victim isn't ill or don't use extreme force while rolling the toy over their skin. Avoid thin, delicate areas of skin if you are unsure. The needles aren't terribly sharp and are blunted at the ends but it did draw blood fairly easily on my skin.

It comes packaged in a very tight fitting plastic sleeve that has a stock sticker to keep it closed. I fashioned a sort of 'hood' for my pinwheel to prevent damage to the metal spikes of the wheel and to keep it from cutting other toys in the toybox. I store it in an Eden toy pouch with it's hood on.

We tried this little toy as part of a night of serious investigation of floggers and other sensory toys. Since Sigel is still not terribly comfortable with B/D type play we didn't use any restraints or blindfolds. He ran this over my breasts, down my sides and all the way to my feet. I nearly jumped out of my skin when he got to the soles of my feet and it took all my self control to allow him to continue, which is the point of sensual sadism! It tickled, it had an edge of pain and it did draw small amounts of blood mostly over the shin bone where my skin is very delicate.

This is such a staple of our play that I am constantly amazed that it has held up so well. No rust, no dulling of the pins, no problems with cleaning. While plastic might be more sanitary from a disposable point of view I still prefer my metal wheel.