Review of Toyworld TW-01 Grind Rod

[Slave]

Ok So I received that little pucker some time ago from www.robotkingdom.com but always been too busy to even play with it... and tonight while waiting for friends to come over (which are sooo late) I took the time to make this review. I usually make written review, but I've been asked a few time to make video reviews... I haven't done many, but I decided to give it a try for this one. I'm still making my written review but I will put it simpler. Apologies in advance, I'm french, my English isn't perfect lol

Here is the link to the video review:
http://youtu.be/6ybQpQgQCzM


And here is more photos, along with more and better comparison than the video lol

Ok to start up here's the vehicle mode of ToyWorld TW-01 Grind Rod!


View from the side


Back


And underneath to show how no kibbles of robots is shown, which is pretty awesome


The vehicle is excellent, the wheels are great, the feel of the jeep is great, super solid. The paint job looks good, it doesnt look like it in the photos but it's a good metalic green, kinda like Prime Takara Bulkhead but a bit paler (sorry in the video I mixted up and said Animated).

The quality of the figure is GREAT... scratch that, it's among the top quality. It feels just as great as the quality of TFC Hercules figures. It could fall of one of my super high shelves and I wouldn't be scared about something on it to break.

On to the Robot mode:


Side (notice how little backpack there is!)


Back


The robot is GREAT looking, the transformation is not that complicated, but it's complex, I LOVE THAT! and Everything fits perfecly together, the tabs are big and they hold great in truck and still even if clumsy, you can't break ToyWorld TW-01 Grind Rod during the transformation.

As for articulation, everything is there, you can see it in the video... the head only goes left and right, that's pretty much the only let down... but the rest is great. The big feet and the fact that there is no back pack make ToyWorld TW-01 Grind Rod super solid and easy to pose.

I often get lots of request about size comparison so for this review, I've got a shit load of comparison photos:

Here's ToyWorld TW-01 Grind Rod with iGear MW-03 & 04 Hench & UFO


Next to another TW-01: Hegemon (why are they both called TW-01?)


With Perfect-Effect PE-01 Shadow Warrior & Beast Wars Battle Unicorn... just for the lulz of it.


As I mention in the video, I stand my ground saying that ToyWorld TW-01 Grind Rod stands perfectly with the Classic line of TF, here he is next to Sunstreaker & Hound


In Vehicle mode comparison next to Masterpiece MP-12 Lambor which I think fits Great... I believe he'll fit nicelywith the rest of the masterpiece.


Another vehicle comparison with Classic Sunstreaker & Hound


And finally with Maketoy Yellow Giant and iGear Medical Specialist PP-05M


(ran out of place, to be continued...)

[Slave]

Now there has been reports that ToyWorld TW-01 Grind Rod will combine with the rest of the line of the Throttlebots... I remember seeing a photo of ToyWorld TW-01 Grind Rod in a sort of Foot/leg position... so I played around with it... I dunno about the results... this is how I believe the Leg of the Throttlebot combiner would look like:


I've placed the legs of the Maketoy Yellow Giant & TFC Hercules figures it'll give an idea how the Throttlebot combiner would look like.



In Conclusion, ToyWorld TW-01 Grind Rod is an Awesome figure, yes he is about 60$ at retail price, and he is the size of a deluxe figure, but the build quality alone is worth that money, and what you get is a super fun toy to play with, the complexity of the transformation is superb alone and I really can't wait to get my hands on the rest of the series if they are all like this first release of the Throttlebots.

Pros:

• super fun transformation
• top built quality
• great looking robot and vehicle
• going to combine into a huge robot? CANT WAIT TO SEE IT!

Cons:

• 60$ price for a deluxe size figure
• head only turns left and right... it's nit picking but hey...

Seriously, he is worth every dollar... get your hands on it.

Robotkingdom Direct Link to ToyWorld TW-01 Grind Rod

[Autobotz24]

Thanks for the review. I may have to get this guy and the rest now

[CBII]

I feel much better about my purchase!

Thanks!

[BScorpinok75]

Thanks for the review, I really wish the price had been a bit lower. But, I can't justify the purchase currently. If these aren't sold out maybe in a few months I could afford him.

Also, looking at the pics makes me wish Has/Tak would make a dual transformation mold (similar to what was done for Sideswipe & Sunstreaker) for Brawn, Outback & Rollbar to share. I think that could work. Three bots with one stone.

[flywithme]

Thanks for the great video & pictorial review!
I just gotten my hands on it!

By the way, Grind Rod is TW-T01 while Hegemon is TW-01.

[Pascal]

Gone mine on Friday, super happy with it!

[Tech Spec]

Can't wait mine is in transit

[the Stealth M.C.]

Thanks for this review; it's what encouraged me to get it myself, and it is a FANTASTIC toy. It's understated and doesn't have the "cool", modern design aesthetic of Fansproject/Maketoys, but the engineering is SUPERB and it's just a lot of fun to play with and keep transforming. To my own surprise, it's one of my favourite third party toys. Pick it up if you can! (If they come out with a G1-accurate re-colour, I'm going to be annoyed :P)