Twenty years ago the best you could hope for when it came to sex toys was either a hard, noisy vibrator or a smelly latex dildo which often bore no resemblance to the real thing. In both cases that were usually designed by people who were never going to be on the receiving end, and were only available from seedy porn shops and magazine ads.
These days, however, sex toy design has become an art for in its own right, and manufacturers produce a huge selection of different shapes, sizes, uses and materials. We have latex, vinyl and silicone toys, internal and external toys, and discreet handbag toys for those stressful moments at work. To help you find what you’re looking for we have decided to give some much needed clear information about what’s what, what it’s for, and where it goes.
In or out?
Most women who own vibrators use them for external stimulation on their clitoris and outer labia, as this is where the sensations are most enjoyable. Women who want more internal stimulation usually prefer the delights of a dildo. We’ve often received comments that vibrators used internally are “too stimulating” or “more annoying than arousing”, and that the feel of a smooth shaft inside the vagina is much more pleasing. That’s not to say that a vibrator can never be pleasurable, but they are often at their best with a gentle humming rather than something that sounds like a bee in a beer can. Many newer vibrators, including those designed *exclusively for external use*, have this in mind and have a variety of settings such as fast or slow pulsing, and adjustable intensity.
Vibrators are certainly great toys for both men and women. Over the decades thousands of women have learned to orgasm by using them, and thousands of women count on them as their most reliable source of orgasm whilst experiencing fun and love with their partner. Women do play with vibrators more than men, but men too can enjoy the exciting vibrations of these toys.
Some things you can try with your vibrator
For Men: Try rubbing a vibrator up and down your shaft and around the glans, letting it arouse the most sensitive part of your penis, the fraenulum, on the underside of your length. Or, allow it to tickle your scrotum. You can excite your nipples too, and even carefully insert it into your anus to stimulate the nerve endings and prostate. Lubrication is advisable for slicker movement. Better still hand your vibrating playmate to your lover, get comfortable and relax as she controls the pressure and intensity of the vibrations traveling all over your body. So to all you men who are reading this, assuming you’re not just shopping for your wife or girlfriend, why not buy yourself a present and get in to the action too!
For Ladies: Vibrators are generally designed to help you reach an orgasm by arousing and teasing the clitoris, although they can of course be used on any part of your body. If you’ve never used a vibrator before you could start by running one slowly over your face, neck, breasts and nipples. Then progress to the inner and outer lips of your vagina, and then to your clitoris. You might be surprised at just how forceful, intense and long your orgasms are. To add a further sensation why not try using a lubricant as well for some sensational slippery sexy moments.
Anal Use: If you are going to use your vibrator for anal play we recommend that the toy must have a wide base or handle to prevent it from getting “lost” inside you as anything pushed into the anus has a habit of being sucked in. Let’s try to avoid embarrassing moments in the casualty department! Silicone Vibrators may be a good choice.
Dildos
Dildos are probably the most ‘traditionally’ shaped sex toy, with many still having the phallic shape. Because of the availability of materials like silicone these can be incredibly realistic, not only in shape but in texture as well. Warm one up to body temperature and you would be hard pressed to tell the difference by touch. A number of the silicone models also come with a bullet vibrator insert, so you can have the best of both worlds. Models include the Violet Pearl, Aqua Pearl, and the Feeldoe range all offer this added pleasure.
We also carry a range of ‘Vinyl toys ‘;/c/blackdildos/vinyl-dildos.html which are a slight departure from the phallic shape. These offer greater length as well as thickness, depending on the model. Take a look at the Marquis and the Emperor to see what they’re like.
Finally, there are the Packing Dildos. These off the chance for women to feel what it’s like to have a cock and balls in their knickers all day long. A very interesting experience.
Materials
Over the last ten years there has been an explosion of creativity in the materials that sex toys are made from. So what materials are they made from, and what’s the difference?
Silicone has a great feel – not too soft, but not too hard. Silicone toys are usually hand-poured and its production is much more of a craftsmen environment. The material lends itself to fabulous colours, swirls of movement, many different shapes and great creativity from the designers. Silicone is a wonderful material, it is the cashmere of intimate toys. It is non porous, hypoallergenic, you can even boil them completely clean. To help keep your silicone companion in its peak condition take care not to break its surface, protect from teeth bites and finger nails, don’t trap it in zips, and hide it from animals – yes, they love to play with them too! In general, you should only use water based lubricants with silicone playmates. If you do use a silicone lubricant, make sure it is one which has been specially designed for use with silicone toys, such as Bodyglide for Toys
Many sex toys are made from plastic. It is particularly suitable for smooth surfaced toys and round surfaces. You’ll find a lot of basic budget priced vibrators, bullets and eggs are made from different types of plastic. A particularly high quality plastic called “ABS” is used for products such as the Lelo Nea Valentine. “ABS” is more shock resistant, harder wearing and can be moulded more precisely.
PVC or Vinyl is a soft, flexible plastic material. The majority of basic vibes are made of PVC, especially foreskin vibrators and inflatable butt toys. A recent advance has been the ability to create PVC with a “pearlised” finish in a rainbow of different colour choices. Many vinyl toys can contain phthalates, about which there has been a great deal of debate lately. You can read more about this in our article on Phthalates in sex toys.
Metal Toys are usually made of either 304 or 316 medical grade stainless steel. Steel is smooth, hard and lovely to look at, and by some is considered to be the best sex toy material if you prefer something firm, steel is also widely loved because it has the ability to transmit heat or to be cooled in the fridge, steel toys will last a very long time when properly cared for.
Metal dildos can be ideal if you enjoy harder pressure on your G Spot or Prostate, because they won’t bend like other materials. Lubricants work wonderfully with metal toys, the lube stays slick for longer than it would on silicone toys, and you can safely use any lubricant, unlike silicone toys which will break down if you use a silicone based lubricant instead you must use water based lubricants with silicone toys. Metal toys are very easy to look after and clean.