[Faith gave us this product review as part of her application for the writer/editor positions. Comment away!]
This whisk, shaped like a milk frother or a coiled spring, can be a more effective tool in the kitchen than the more common balloon whisk. It is significantly better for cooking sauces and eggs - anything in a small or flat-bottomed pan that needs to be whisked smooth. The flat, curved head fits perfectly into the corners of a saucepan, and since the bottom of the whisk is flat instead of pointed you're less likely miss spots.
The familiar balloon whisk, shaped like a teardrop, is better for use with rounded bowls and for aerating a mixture - cake batter, for instance, or egg whites.
IKEA has these (left) in paired bundles with a balloon whisk for $0.99, only available in stores.
For something a little fancier, try this Rosle Saucepan Whisk at Sur La Table for $16.
i have one of these (i think from ikea) and i love it - it always amazes me that lumps don't get caught in it like they do in a regular whisk.
The first time I saw anyone use one of these whisks was on an episode of Nigella Bites. It became one of the many things in Ms. Lawson's gorgeous kitchen that I coveted. So when I spotted one at Ikea, naturally I snatched it up. I just love how it looks and the best part is that it works fantastically. It's the only whisk I ever use.
I bought this style of whisk ages ago in a Williams-Sonoma, I love it, great for everything, especially using in flat-bottomed pans and for whipping up eggs.