Whirlwood's Wand

Makers of fine wands are finding the current excitement over the new Harry Potter book release, The Order of the Phoenix, to be the perfect springboard for all things magical. At first glance one might assume that all wands are created equal: Sand a bit of wood into a round shape, and you’ve got yourself a wand, right? Not so, according to ALIVAN'S (ToyDirectory) and Whirlwood (ToyDirectory), the two premiere wand makers. Both companies hope to ride the wave of Potter-mania into high profits.

Alivan's Wand

At first glance, the Alivan’s box containing the cherry-wood wand is dripping with magical intrigue. The deep blue cover with gilded letters feels like it just came off of some ancient wand-maker’s shelf. Opening the box, I unwrap the white and gold tissue paper to reveal a beautiful red velvet bag embroidered with Alivan’s classical-style crest. The certificate of authenticity is a nice touch, though the glossy print paper and small size is not in tune with the meticulous packaging surrounding the wand. I open the velvet bag and there it is: roughly 10 inches long with a turned handle perfectly sized for a child up to 12 years old, a real Harry Potter-style wand. Its simplicity is in stark contrast to the opulent packaging, but there’s no sign of disappointment from my niece, who has been watching with wide eyes and mouth agape. She seizes the wand out of my hand and soon I hear her trying to unlock the hall closet with a homemade incantation.

The Whirlwood box, with its plain paper exterior stamped with the artistic “W” crest of the company, contrasts with the flashy Alivan’s box. Opening the end of the outer box to remove the case holding the wand, I find it decorated with an intricate black design hinting at the magical adventures waiting within. Inside is a black velvet bag, unassuming and elegant. I tip the bag to reveal an exquisite, hand-turned wand made entirely of one piece of wood, an indication of the time and effort put into its creation by artist Gary Hall. This wand exceeds all my expectations for a toy, a collector’s piece, and a piece of art. I’m not sure I’ll let my niece see this one.

In a side-by-side comparison, the wands appeal to many different consumers. Alivan’s wand ($35.00) is a great package that appeals to the child who is looking to live a moment in the world of Harry Potter. The Whirlwood model ($67.00) has appeal for children and adults due to its high level of craftmanship. The simple construction of Alivan’s wand lends itself to younger children ages 6-10, while the Whirlwood wand will capture pre-teen and young adult imaginations for year to come.

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