sex toy review « Heartbreak Nymphomania

20Aug/101

Review: Bend-Over Beginner Kit

As you well know, I'm quite the strap-on aficionado, so I was really interested in trying out the Bend Over Beginner kit. It comes with (almost) everything you need for strap-on sex, and the pieces are quality, too:

- Sportsheets Vibrating Velvet Harness
- Tantus Silk Small
- Tantus Silk Medium
- 2 O-rings of differing sizes

The only possible addition, or improvement, I could suggest, would be to include a good anal sex book, or DVD. And maybe a small bottle of water-based lube. Still, this is a pretty comprehensive collection of items to have if, as the name of the product suggests, you're a strap-on sex beginner.

I'm going to go through the parts of the kit one by one. Also, since the name of this product is the "Bend Over" kit, and the dildos are on the smaller side, I'm assuming this product is intended for anal sex, though I'm sure you could use it vaginally as well:

Tantus Silk Small

Upon looking at this dildo, I knew it wasn't going to do much for me. In both my pussy and my ass, it just felt like a finger. I don't really see the point in spending money on a Silk Small when using my own fingers would have a similar effect. The one male partner I tried this with wasn't impressed, and said he could take more, even though I was one of the first people he'd tried anal play with.

On the plus side? The Silk Small is perfect for people who haven't had much anal experience, but crave the intimacy and intensity of being fucked by a strapped-on partner as opposed to being fingered. I could have seen myself using this on the Optimist, who loved having his butt played with, but was already overwhelmed even when I was only using two of my fingers on him. The Silk Small is, obviously, harness-compatible, is longer than my fingers and has a nice curve, so is probably perfect for seeking out a G-spot/prostate.

Tantus Silk Medium

The Silk Medium was more satisfactory. As it's thicker, I liked it in my ass a lot better, and actually liked using it in my pussy quite a bit, which was surprising due to it's small size. Again, the curve was key.

Overall, these two dildos are probably an excellent choice for someone with little to no experience with anal play. The dildos are smooth, simple, uncomplicated, and small. When I first experimented with anal sex, I was very interested and excited, but also pretty nervous. I don't see either of these dildos being intimidating to someone who might be a little nervous and insecure about trying something new.

To sterilize the Silks, you can wash them with 10% bleach solution, put them in the top shelf of the dishwasher with no soap, or boil them for at least 5 minutes. Also, silicone toys are not compatible with silicone lubes.

Here are the Silks next to my go-to anal dildo, the Tantus Acute:

Sportsheets Vibrating Velvet Harness

The harness, like the dildos, is also very straightforward and easy to use. It has double-straps (that go under your butt as opposed to being worn like underwear) made of nylon, and remind me of backpack straps. You also adjust them the same way you would backpack straps. Very easy. You can also wash the entire thing by throwing it in the laundry. The first harness I ever owned was the Aslan Jaguar, and while it's gorgeous, I wasn't quite sure how to take care of the leather. The Velvet Harness is definitely lower maintenance.

In addition to being easy to use, the harness is pretty versatile. It has a pocket where you can insert a bullet vibe (I opted to insert the Lelo Mia, which fit pretty well, except for the base protruding out of it). You can swap out different sized O-rings with four snap closures on the front of the harness. The harness can also fit people whose hips are up to 50". If you're a smaller person, like me, and don't like the straps trailing behind you, you can always trim them and use a lighter to melt the edges and prevent them from fraying.

Personally, I don't really like the harness that much because it's a little bulky, and doesn't fit my body as seamlessly as the other harnesses I own. Ideally, when I wear a harness, I want to feel like it #1 isn't there, or #2 is an extension of my body. I don't feel like that when I wear the Velvet harness; this harness feels like I'm strapping on a piece of material, that is sitting conspicuously on top of my cunt, and acting as the base for a dildo. I also don't feel very connected to my cock anymore, since the triangular piece of velvety material is quite thick. Finally, I don't find the fuzzy material particularly sensual. I got the purple set, but I think the kit also comes in black. I would've liked that color better than the bright purple, too.

So that's the Bend Over Beginner kit. I ended up giving all the pieces of this kit away, since none of them really worked for me. However, I'm glad this kit exists and I see it being a good purchase for someone who's just beginning to explore the awesome spectrum of anal play.

Filed under: chick with a dick, dildos, misc, sex toy review, sex toys, the Optimist 1 Comment

13Aug/102

Review: Nobessence Romp

There aren't many sex toys that make me feel like writing love letters, so I figure that, if one does, I should ride the inspiration. That said, here is an open letter to the Romp. Creepy? Cheesy? You decide:

Dear Romp,

I just want to let you know that I'm completely and utterly in love, and I don't ever want you to leave. I heard so many good things about you before we met; that you were a real catch. Sure, I thought at first, but maybe you wouldn't be right for me... I abandoned that train of thought when I first saw you, and my cunt instantly flooded because of how good you looked. I was enraptured by your glossy sheen and exquisite Cocobolo wood. Even your presentation in a padded box was pleasing to me.

I wanted you in my ass right away. It's a good thing I had experienced smaller plugs and anal play before, because I didn't have the patience for much warm-up. This is when I figured out the benefits of your unique - and, I admit, what I found initially odd - shape. Your handle fit my fingers perfectly, and I could easily tilt and turn you to the degree that pleased me most, once you were inside me.

When you first slid in, your tip went in easily, and I had some trouble with the bulge, but when you were finally in? You were the perfect fit for my ass. You didn't just fill me: it felt like every dip and curve hugged my ass at just the right spot, like you were meant to be there. Your narrow handle settled comfortably between my cheeks, and I could sit down and walk around with no discomfort. Your tip pressed tantalizingly against my vagina - sometimes against my g-spot - so that every motion with you in felt like foreplay.

So, alright - your hard exterior was a little difficult to swallow at first, and you're quite the expensive date - but I'm so glad I gave you a chance, because everything about you delights me. You don't just fill me up, like many other plugs can do; it's like you were made to inhabit me.

Love,

Wilhelmina

I can't wait to try more Nobessence toys.

Cleaning instructions: Unlike silicone toys, which can be boiled or dish-washed, since the Romp is made of wood with a varnish finish, you should clean it with 10% bleach solution instead, to sterilize it (before sharing).

Thanks, Kama Sutra Closet!

Filed under: anal toys, sex toy review 2 Comments

5Aug/102

Review: Heart 2 Heart Cuffs

The Heart 2 Heart Cuffs encapsulate three things that, IMHO, are essential for a set of cuffs: they're affordable ($35), pretty, and well-made. In fact, I'm so taken with them that I want to try and collect the whole set: another pair of cuffs, blindfold, and whip, which have the added charm of being decorated with rows of tiny red hearts, which make me think of the Red Queen in Alice in Wonderland (for me, a good thing).

The cuffs are fairly simple. To my understanding, from reading the packaging and the product description, they're made of real leather, though shinier and more towards the patent-leather type. The leather is soft and pliable. None of that tacky, stiff, unpleasant bullshit that comes with shitty or fake leather. They also come with shiny silver buckles, studs and D-rings. The best part? They're black and red. Which is my favorite color combination (um, just check out the theme of this blog). Now I have cuffs that match my lingerie! Yay!

The cuffs aren't lined, but they're comfortable, and I can strain against them without any chafing. I also couldn't tease the buckle undone with my fingers, even with the cuffs connected together with a carabiner. Fairly escape-proof.

I'm very happy with these cuffs - as functional and wonderful as the Sportsheets Under the Bed cuffs are, it's nice to have something prettier and a little more heavy duty. I only have a few criticisms:

#1 The set doesn't come with any kind of connector. They're cheap enough that I'm sure it wouldn't kill the company to include one. I don't own any, so I had to steal a carabiner off of one of my roommates' Nalgenes.

#2 The cuffs don't look like they'd fit people with thicker wrists/ankles. My wrists are tiny, and I already use the fourth hole. I honestly doubt that anyone has wrists so bony that they'd need to use the first or second hole.

#3 If you look at the underside of the cuff, the line of holes is accompanied with a long cut of some sort, that goes down the length of all the holes. It's not that big of a deal, and the cuff doesn't threaten to rip apart or anything like that. It is a little ugly to look at, though.

#4 I just cannot back putting "2" in the name of a sex toy. I am not a teenager on AIM, and I don't want sex toys that make me feel like one.

There you have it. My BDSM toybox is growing, and the Heart 2 Heart Cuffs are a wonderful addition to it.

Filed under: BDSM gear, sex toy review, sex toys 2 Comments

23Jul/100

Review: Ophoria Pleasure No. 6

It looks like a trend is forming... of me getting toys that look gorgeous, but functionally just don't fit my wants.

I've known about Ophoria for a while. I've wanted to try their products because they just look so pretty. The Ophoria Pleasure No. 6, which Fascinations sent me to review, definitely doesn't disappoint on that front. I like the soft shade of pink it comes in, and the swirls along the shaft. It almost looks like... a flower. The only thing that bothered me about its appearance was the seam, which isn't terribly conspicuous, but takes away a little from the overall elegant look.

The silicone it's made out of is plush, firm, and lovely to touch. It would be a great addition to my strap-on collection, and would make a nice, standard dildo to warm up to bigger, bumpier or curvier dildos. It even has a suction-cup base, and would be great to use anally since it's on the smaller and firmer side.

Unfortunately? I didn't enjoy using it because of one tiny detail: the bump just underneath the dildo's head. It's as irritating as hell. It doesn't feel sharp or painful, just... like a small, bumpy thing poking my vaginal walls. As I put the dildo inside me, my brow furrowed in mildly discomfited befuddlement. It was enough to distract me from the feeling of the dildo as a whole.

So, honestly, that's all I have to say about that. I don't really know why the bump is there, outside of being an overall design staple in this and some of their other products, like the Beyond No. 3. Maybe the bump feels pleasurable to some people?

Anyway, it's a shame, because in all other respects, the dildo is not earth-shattering, but definitely decent. I ended up giving it to one of my friends who was curious about experimenting with strap-on play, and she was quite happy to receive it.

To sterilize the Pleasure No. 6, you can wash it with 10% bleach solution, put it in the top shelf of the dishwasher with no soap, or boil it for at least 5 minutes. Also, silicone toys are not compatible with silicone lubes.

Filed under: dildos, sex toy review No Comments

13Jul/102

Review: Lelo Bob

When I first held the Lelo Bob in my hands, I knew we were not meant to be... because the toy had been mailed to me to use as a prize in a contest I was holding. Nevertheless, I had carefully snuck a peak into the box, and I liked what I saw. Much like Lelo's ad image for Bob, looking at it made me think I was carefully unwrapping an expensive, fragrant cigar. The Bob, despite its decidedly unclassy name, was sleek and gorgeous, and I knew I'd eventually want to try it out myself. Unfortunately, when I did, I realized that Bob's functionality wasn't quite as up to par with its attractive appearance.

As with all Lelo toys, Bob is presented beautifully, and comes with a satin drawstring bag and one-year warranty. It's also made of the smooth, hard silicone that is typical of Lelo.

Due to Bob's small size, I was able to slide it in very easily, and then... I could barely feel anything. I could feel it when I clenched around it. It felt very thin and unsubstantial. I don't even use large plugs regularly; my go-to plug is the njoy pure plug medium. While a beginner couldn't take the pure plug without using something smaller for a while first, it definitely isn't size-queen material either. Bob is very comfortable, definitely, but part of the point of wearing a plug, for me, is feeling it, if only a little bit.

On the other hand, there was a part of Bob I definitely could feel, lodged between my cheeks: the handle. I've read some reviews that criticized Bob's potentially unsafe base, and though I could definitely feel it, it also didn't seem enough to prevent the entire toy potentially slipping into my ass, especially when I was sitting down. I was paranoid about the Bob being pushed in somehow, since the handle is round rather than phlanged and it seems like it could be pushed in with a little force, especially if you've used larger objects in your ass.

Bob, while usable by people of any gender, is essentially designed for people with a prostate, and I was fortunate enough to try it on L. He had it in while we 69ed, and here the handle was a plus. I very much enjoyed putting my finger through the loop and pulling it in and out slightly while I blew him. Afterwards, he told me that he could also feel the handle very obviously, and that the plug felt more noticeable in his butt (than, say, the Bootie), probably due to the plug's length. He didn't see himself wearing it for long periods of time, but definitely liked fucking me with it in.

As for cleaning: Bob is made of silicone, which is body-safe and non-porous, and can be shared after being sterilized. To sterilize the plug, you can wash it with 10% bleach solution, put it in the top shelf of the dishwasher with no soap, or boil it for at least 5 minutes. Also, silicone toys are not compatible with silicone lubes.

So, my verdict? Bob, while quite the looker, was just not for me, although I can see plenty of people, most probably anal beginners, enjoying it.

Specs:
- Type: Anal Plug
- Material: Silicone
- Length: 3.75"
- Width: 1.25"
- Colors: Bordeaux / Deep Blue
- Price @ Vibrator.com: $45

Filed under: L, anal play, anal toys, sex toy review 2 Comments

1Jun/102

Review: ID Millennium

ID is one of my favorite lube brands, and for good reason. Just like vodka quality is judged by "purity", so does it go with me and lubes. ID Millennium? Is as pure as a lube can be: it doesn't smell like anything, it doesn't taste like anything, and instead of sticky residue, it leaves behind a slick softness. Kind of like if you just rubbed moisturizer into your hands.

This lube works very well with anal play, and is very long lasting. You only really need a couple of drops, so even though the bottle I received is tiny (1oz), I've used it multiple times and I've barely even used any up. The tiny bottle is also perfectly travel-sized.

I've read that this lube doesn't wash off in water, which at times is a negative thing because it makes it more difficult to get off my hands/toys post-wank-sesh, but that's the only complaint I have about this lube.

That's really all I have to say about this lube. It works. Just remember not to use it with silicone toys, since it will fuck up the toy.

Specs:
- Material: Silicone
- Amounts: 1oz / 2.5oz / 4.9oz
- Prices @ PinkCherry.com: $9.99 / $14.99 / $28.88

Filed under: lubes, sex toy review, sex toys 2 Comments

25May/103

Please, Sir (Virtual Book Tour)

If you ask me, submission is an art form. It requires dedication, focus, commitment and desire, and there’s no single way of doing it. It’s about unlocking something within yourself so you can reach beyond your normal limits, exposing your body and soul in order to go somewhere you cannot get to alone.

The lesson there, and in all of these stories, is that there is risk involved in submission. I don’t mean the physical risks, but the emotional ones, the ones that require a leap of faith, a knowledge that what you are doing may unnerve you, confuse you and scare you, even while it makes you wet and eager and ready for more.

[Excerpt from Introduction: Risk and Reward]

Rachel Kramer Bussel so wonderfully expresses one of the aspects of BDSM that draws me to it the most - and keeps me coming back.

Lately, I have been antsy. My workload has increased and I've spent hours and hours tutoring students. Last night, I came home and wanted nothing more than to abandon my mind and dedicate myself to something mechanical and pleasing to someone else. I ended up cooking, but the dish didn't come out right, and it didn't quite assuage the restlessness that I was feeling.

My lovers are vanilla at the moment, and I've no foreseeable possibility of a kinky encounter. Submissive energy has entered my fantasies, and my mind is plagued with cravings that I picture while I'm getting off:

---

The first fantasy is all about pain. He places me over his lap, lifts up my skirt, and yanks my panties down to my knees. He starts out with his hand - his hands are always large, with wide palms. I am not allowed to kick or move my legs. He wants them straight, flat against the couch, and slightly spread so that he can access me whenever the fancy strikes him. I curl my fingers into the upholstery; trying not to cry out, but feeling the noise welling in my throat regardless. After I've been thoroughly warmed up, he switches to the hairbrush. The hard wood results in a new, sharper pain, while waking up the duller pain left behind from the spanks with his hand.

A few minutes in, the tears come. My thoughts are filled with nothing but: pain, don't move, and why? Eventually he makes me stand up. My face is contorted and streaked with tears, which embarrasses me more than my recent position over his lap.

He gestures for me to bend over the back of his desk chair. Same rules: spread my legs, and keep them still. He finishes with several strokes from his belt. I hear the leather whistle through the air, and crack across my already sore flesh. This time, I scream.

He doesn't stop until my ass is blistered red and I can no longer control my sobs. He brushes his hand lightly over one cheek, which makes me flinch. I already know I'm dripping. He grabs my hips, thrusts into me without any preamble, and his hipbones press into my roasting flesh. As soon as he enters me, my orgasm rolls over me in a wave, but he keeps going.

I think to myself: I'm glad I didn't move my legs the entire time, like he wanted.

---

The next fantasy is about servitude. I picture myself living with someone who works hard every day and comes home tired. Before he comes home, I cook one of his favorite dishes. From scratch; an authentic recipe I learned and then added my own flair to. I serve the dinner and clean up; after dinner, we go to the bedroom and strip down. He lays down on the bed and I oil my hands, rubbing the tension out of his sore back and shoulders. I am naked because he likes the feeling of my breasts and cunt brushing against his body. Once he is relaxed, he rolls over and pulls me on top of him, entering me in one swift stroke.

---

The fantasy after that is about uncontrol. I'm spread-eagled and restrained on the bed, with my legs bent at the knee. He's fucking me with a toy that's designed to hit my G-spot, and it feels wonderful. He fucks me so hard and irresistibly that my orgasm hits me before I'm even aware that it's happening; and he continues until I have another, and another, and my body is spent. I can barely move, or think...

---

The final fantasy is about possession. We're in bed, naked, in the dark, and he fists his hand in my hair, pulling my head down to worship his cock. I use my lips, throat and tongue to the best of my ability, shutting down my mind and letting his cock hit the back of my throat. I gag, once; a stream of spit surges out of my mouth and down his shaft. He pulls my head away and tells me he wants to finish in my ass. I position myself; face in the pillows, on my knees, ass and cunt in the air, presented to him. He fingers my ass until I'm moaning, and then pushes his slick cock into me easily. I moan, and whimper, his cock hitting something inside of me that makes me see stars. When he's done, I lay face down for a while, reveling in the feeling of being nothing but his object of pleasure; the receptacle for his come.

---

Please, Sir speaks to all of these fantasies of mine, and has definitely helped fan the fire of my submissive cravings.

Submission is so many things to me: trust, expression, abandon, servitude, skill. Above all, though, it's knowing that I'm pleasing my lover by giving myself over to him. One of my favorite stories from the anthology displays this perfectly:

Sometimes, a few hours after she has fallen asleep, Veronica feels her husband climb atop her, his cock hard and insistently throbbing against her thighs. She knows what to do. She spreads her legs, wide. As Vince buries his cock inside his wife, stretching her open, she moans drowsily. She doesn't have to move or groan or call out his name. She only has to allow herself to be used. It turns her on that in the dark of their bedroom, their bodies heavy with sleep, she is just a tight warm space from which her husband will extract her satisfaction.

...

Vince said, "I'm not looking for a maid. I'm not looking for a mother. I'm looking for a body. I also know how to appreciate that which I am allowed to take."

On their wedding night, Vince told Veronica that he didn't believe in punishment. He believed in discipline. Then he taught her the difference. For a long while, Vince stood behind his new wife, inhaling her scent, letting his hands memorize the contours of her body. She shivered. Vince smacked her ass, smiling as her skin rippled beneath his hand. A blush of red quickly appeared. He smacked Veronica's ass again, harder this time, his hand stinging as it rebounded. "Discipline," he said, "is a reminder."

...

Veronica looked up at Vince and saw unexpected kindness in his eyes. "Have I pleased you?" she asked. Vince reared back, holding the tip of his cock at the sensitive, quivering lips of her cunt. He squeezed Veronica's throat harder, and she wrapped one hand around his wrist. Vince thrust forward. Veronica cried out again, feeling a blade of pleasure so deeply, she thought her bod might split at the heart. Finally, he said, "Yes."

[Excerpt from Veronica's Body by Isabelle Grey]

You can order a copy of the book from Amazon.com.

Filed under: BDSM, Erotica, anal play, books, bottom/object, fiction, pain, sex fantasy, sex toy review, spanking 3 Comments

19May/102

Review: Sportsheets Under the Bed Restraint System

The Under the Bed Restraint System's selling point is that it's quick and easy to set up, and you don't need a bed with a headboard to secure stuff to. You just need a mattress, and a bedframe. I've read so many glowing reviews of the Sportsheets Under the Bed Restraint System, and have been wanting to trying it out for almost a year. I finally got my chance... perfect timing, too, since me and J are living like hoboz right now. We don't even have a bedframe, let alone a headboard.

First: specifics. The Restraint System is made up of four 60" nylon straps, a nylon connector strap, and four cuffs. All these straps are adjustable, like backpack straps. The cuffs are made of nylon with neoprene backing and Velcro closures, and are all 15" long. The straps, which you secure the cuffs to, end in O-rings. The cuffs come with O-rings and metal snaps. You could easily wash all of the pieces by hand. I feel like throwing everything in the wash wouldn't be good because of the metal pieces. You can also use different cuffs with the straps, if you wish.

You set up the Restraint System by lifting the mattress, and throwing the system underneath. Then you can adjust the straps to the desired lengths. As you can see vaguely in the picture, the packaging suggests that you either put the straps at the top and bottom of the bed, or have them at the sides of the bed. There are probably many other configurations you can try. I think the straps are all long enough that you could use it with a futon or something. The entire system is so light and easy to put away that I can see it being very easy to travel with - you know, for trysts in hotel rooms and such. The straps are also easy to put away: simply stow them under the mattress once you're done. Instant hiding place.

Me and J set up the system and I had him secure me to it. We ended up positioning the straps at the top and bottom of the bed, which gave me a bit more room to move around (I was able to turn myself onto my side, for example). He tightened the straps until they were taut and I couldn't move at all. I pulled and struggled against the cuffs to no avail. The cuffs, besides being completely secure, were fuzzy and very comfortable as well.

J teasingly told me he was going to leave me there tied up, and then proceeded to use my belly as a tabletop for his notebook. For a while, he wrote down notes, and read certain excerpts to me. J isn't kinky at all, so I didn't slide into subspace entirely. Despite that, I felt the same pleasant, secure, Zen feeling at being restrained by these cuffs, as I did when I was first tied up with rope. After a while, J put his notebook away, started nuzzling and snuggling with me... which clearly lead to other things. He re-secured the straps my ankles were attached to, so that they were on either side of the bed and my legs were spread. Being fucked while restrained? Really liked it. And would definitely repeat it.

The system set up on me and J's bed. Please try to ignore the cardboard-box "nightstand"...

As much as I love this system, and as much as I agree with many of the glowing reviews I've read, I can find some places for improvement. For one thing, the cuffs are all the same size. For some reason, I expect most people have thicker ankles than wrists. Or maybe that's just me? I also have very thin wrists. When the cuffs were secured around my wrists, only an inch or so of Velcro was actually touching. These cuffs are long enough that larger people could wear them comforably; but maybe Sportsheets could similarly consider people with skinny wrists? In any case, I still couldn't pull myself loose from the cuffs, so I suppose the size of the cuffs doesn't actually matter.

Besides that, I would have liked it if the snaps were detachable from the cuffs, so they could be used for other things, though their permanent attachment to the cuffs makes them less easy to lose. I'd also like it if the set came with some sort of pouch unit I could store it in. And, while I couldn't get out of the cuffs by pulling against them, with my hands close together I could reach the adjustment point of the strap and loosen it. I could also easily pull the Velcro. If my hands had been spread-eagled, that wouldn't have been the case, but then the straps could have been designed with the adjustment points at the other ends. Except then I guess the plastic pieces would create a "bump" in the mattress. J didn't see this as a flaw, since it gives the bottom an "out."

In short: I like the Under the Bed Restraint System a lot. It is awesome in its versatility.

Price @ Babeland.com: $55

Filed under: BDSM gear, J, sex toy review, sex toys 2 Comments

18May/100

Review: Spartacus Medium Tip Crop

Yet another run-of-the-mill BDSM toy review... except, this time, the Spartacus 18" Medium Tip Riding Crop is a keeper.

I had the same issues with this crop as I did with the other Spartacus crop I reviewed: the Wide Tip Bat:

One thing that bothered me about the tip was that I didn't feel like it was made of pure leather. I've briefly seen and touched an actual riding crop, to be used on horses. The Wide Tip Bat's tip and the "real" riding crop's tip felt very different. The "real" riding crop's tip was much more pliable and somehow softer. The Wide Tip Bat's tip feels... almost artificial, as if it were made of leather and some synthetic material, or a mixture of leather and plastic. When I bend and push it back and forth with my fingers, the material makes a crackling noise. I'm no expert when it comes to leather, and I couldn't find any information on Spartacus's websites stating what the crop is made of exactly, so I don't have any solid facts to go on. I just know I don't like how the material feels in my hands. It feels plasticky, not like leather.

I tweeted about it and the tweeps who responded said: #1 it must be bad quality leather #2 it must be dried out leather, and that I should "treat" it. Either way, the crackly noise does not make me happy.

As I said before, I think I'll hold off on the cheaper BDSM gear options, and wait until I have the cash to shell out for quality pieces.

However, I quite like this crop. Why? Well, regardless of the sub-par quality, it still works really well as a prop. It's black, it's intimidating, and still evokes a sense of I am in charge, and I am going to whip your ass. I'd prefer to have a sub-par crop than, well, no crop. I also like the size of this crop much more than the other one I tried out. It's 18" long, about half as long as the Wide Tip Bat, which is more of a standard crop length, I think. This crop's shortness makes it easier to wield, and also easier to travel with and store, which is a concern to me as I'm not settled in a place/job yet and will be traveling a lot.

Comparison to a paddle and the Wide Tip Bat. The Medium Tip Crop is at the bottom.

I used this crop on myself, at Sir's request. Using it on myself was a bit awkward, and I couldn't really get any hard hits in. I also used it at Zeta Mu's runway show, where my act was to dom someone onstage. Before the show, during meetings, I was in my dom outfit and walking around with the crop, and at one point I asked someone to hold it for me and it got passed all over the room because people were so interested in playing with it. One of my friends kept caressing people with it. During the act itself, I used it to direct my sub, I pushed it lengthways against her throat when she resisted me, and spanked her a few times. I tried it on my calves beforehand, and it does sting quite nicely.

Basically, I'm content with this crop and the usefulness it has as a prop and symbol, at least until I can afford something better.

Price @ Sextoy.com: $24.93

sex toys | BDSM gear

Filed under: BDSM gear, sex toy review, the Inventor No Comments

17May/102

Review: Tantus Vamp

I really don't like Stephanie Meyer's Twilight series. I tried reading the first book when I was at home during break, because I had nothing else to do and my little sister had a copy, but I got bored halfway through. I watched the first two movies, but it was only because my friends, and my sister's fiance, roped me into it. I promptly decided that the only way I could really enjoy the movies would be to make them into a drinking game. I think there are plenty of vampires out there who are more badass than Edward Cullen. However, when I first heard about the Tantus Vamp, and read its description that not-so-subtly harkened to the Twilight series, my curiosity was piqued.

So what does the Vamp have in common with Edward Cullen? The Vamp may not be super-strong, watch you while you sleep, protect you from baddies, or want to suck your blood, but it does sparkle under light. And if you toss it in the fridge (or under hot water) it retains that temperature.

When I took the Vamp out of its packaging, I wasn't particularly impressed. It wasn't curved, the sparkles weren't all that evident, and it wasn't a pretty color like most of my dildoes. I guess the sparkles were meant to be more noticeable under light, and at typical room lighting the toy looks more shimmery and pearly, not sparkly per se. I also noticed it was quite girthy, but girth has never been something I particularly cared about. Despite my first impression, though, I very much liked how the Vamp felt when I put it to use. I first used it during a reward masturbation session that Sir granted me, mostly because it seemed like the dildo most similar to Sir's cock; based on the little information I had, anyway. (i.e. Large + girthy.) And despite my first impression, I grew to like how the Vamp filled me, and how the head pushed against my g-spot almost perfectly. The relatively simple and realistic design of the Vamp also made it easier for me to imagine being fucked by Sir; something I don't really do with my other dildoes.

The Vamp is perhaps the only "realistic" dildo I own. It does look pretty realistic, from the pronounced head, to the skin-like creases & veins running along the surface. Like most Tantus dildos, it is very firm and glossy. The Vamp retains temperature pretty well, although not at the same speed or intensity as steel or ceramic. It does retain temperature for quite a while, though - after I took the Vamp out of the fridge and used it during a quick, 10-minute wank session, it still felt cold afterwards.

Like all Tantus dildos, the Vamp is made of silicone, which is body-safe and non-porous, and can be shared after being sterilized. To sterilize it, you can wash it with 10% bleach solution, put it in the top shelf of the dishwasher with no soap, or boil it for at least 5 minutes. Also, silicone toys are not compatible with silicone lubes. The Vamp's base makes the toy useable in a strap-on harness, or for anal play.

I don't have much to say about the Vamp, but it definitely exceeded my expectations. I may not be a fan of Twilight, but I am a fan of the Vamp.

Specs:
- Length: 6.5"
- Width: 1.5" (widest point)
- Price @ Pinkcherry.com: $39.99

Filed under: dildos, sex toy review, the Inventor 2 Comments

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Wilhelmina Wang. Queer, female college student with her mind lodged firmly in the gutter, seeking genderbenders, lessons in BDSM, a meaningful fuck, and a point in life.

Here's where her mind is spilled like the proverbial guts.

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