Tag: dual core
Tantus Adam O2
Like all Tantus products the Adam is made of 100% platinum silicone, but what makes the O2 toys special is that they’re made from two different types of silicone. The base and the internal core of the dildo are made from a fairly firm silicone, typical of most Tantus products, and this gives the dildo its shape while still allowing for a nice amount of flex. The firm core is then covered by a very soft layer of silicone which imitates the more ‘squishy’ areas of a real penis, such as the skin and the glans. This layer is fairly thin over most of the shaft, but does feel slightly thicker along the underside, through where the urethra would run on a real penis. The core extends only about halfway into the head of the dildo, leaving the majority of it made from the soft silicone alone, and this is wonderfully supple and has a lot of give to it.
The surface of the silicone incorporates two finishes: the shaft is matte and feels velvety to the touch, while the head is completely smooth and shiny, and this seems to be a common feature in all of Tantus’s realistic dildos, through the Max, the Hank, and the Pack ‘n’ Play. Unlike with my Max O2 the silicone on the Adam doesn’t have even a hint of tackiness to its surface, which is very welcome to note. As always the advantages of silicone, dual-density or not, as a toy material are that it’s odourless, non-porous, and completely body-safe, and this is why it remains one of my favourites.
The construction of the dildo is done to a very high standard, and you won’t find any hint of a mould line anywhere along it. Curiously my one complaint is exactly the same as the one I had with the Max O2, and that is holes in the material. Right down at the bottom of the dildo, along the surface of the base, are two small holes in the softer layer of material. These are just like the ones I spotted on the balls of the Max, and look as though they were formed from air bubbles in the material. When I first spotted it on the Max I assumed it was just an isolated incident, but now it’s happened twice in two O2 dildos I’m wondering if it’s more prolific. It’s not a huge deal, and probably not enough to compel me to send a toy back, but I’m someone who hates to find imperfections in anything. I do wonder slightly now about Tantus’s quality control system if these things keep slipping through, even though I remain a big supporter of the company on the whole.
The design of the Adam features a head much like that on the Pack ‘n’ Play No.1; it’s quite plump and dome-shaped, and its shiny surface doesn’t incorporate a lot of detail. The only significant difference between the two is that the Adam features a slight groove in the head to demarcate the urethral opening, and the corona of the glans is much less pronounced. The head blends almost seamlessly into the shaft below, with nothing much to mark the transition aside from a slight ridge on the underside intended to crudely mimic part of the frenulum. The surface of the shaft is, on the whole, marginally more detailed than the head, and features several raised areas which look like veins traversing beneath the skin. It’s not a huge amount of detail, but it does add some points of interest and makes the dildo seem slightly more lifelike. Undoubtedly the most noticeable feature of the shaft is the prominent curve which it exhibits, and which gives the dildo a rather banana-like quality. It’s definitely one of the stronger bends that I’ve seen in a toy, and no one could ever accuse it of being subtle.
The base of the dildo is designed to make it completely harness-friendly, and it lacks the somewhat cumbersome balls of the Max. The base is 2 5/8″ inches wide and made entirely from the firmer silicone; it’s flared nature acts to make the dildo completely anal-safe, and it also doubles as a good way to stand the toy upright, without the lean causing it to lose stability and topple over. It feels very strong and solid, whether you’re holding onto it or relying on it staying in an O-ring harness. If you are intending to to use it in a harness then you’ll find that the Adam holds its shape well, thanks to the solid core which prevents any drooping like you might find in the Pack ‘n’ Play. When held horizontally it does look positively perky thanks to the curve of the shaft, rather than merely jutting out straight in front.
The Adam is a truly lovely toy to use, especially for anal play, and it’s incredibly comfortable at every step, starting with insertion. Because of its realistic size it should suit a fairly wide range of people, and the softness of the material makes it a pleasure to use without the need for warm up. The slightly-tapered head with its shiny surface helps the dildo to slide very easily into the body, and you feel an ever-so-subtle bump as the muscle passes over what little coronal ridge there is. The soft layer of material feels gentle against the sphincter the entire time, and provides a nice cushion if you decide to pause and give the dildo a little squeeze. The matte surface of the shaft has a little bit of drag to it, which personally I like, and it also helps to hold onto lube very well. Once the dildo is inside the body it does feel nice and comfortable, especially as it sucks up heat and warms to body temperature. You do remain quite aware of the firmness of the core throughout, which is an interesting point because it will divide people along individual preferences. Personally I’m one of those people who likes a bit of everything depending on my mood, whether it be the extreme firmness of glass, or the wonderful flexibility of the Pack ‘n’ Play. The Adam has a nice combination because it flexes enough to be comfortable inside you, but it’s firm enough that you can direct pressure where you want. It’s definitely a little more flexible than the Max too, just because the shaft is thinner.
The curvature of the shaft gives you a couple of options when it comes to how you choose to insert it, and while initially I did have my reservations about the severe angle, this feature does means that it turns out to be a really good prostate toy. I find that the best way to use it in this regard is by going against conventional wisdom. When you’re looking at the anatomy of the rectum you’ll notice that it curves backwards towards the spine, while the prostate is located towards the front. Most people would assume because of that that you want to insert the Adam with it curving forwards so that the head angles upwards and into the prostate, but it works far better in the reverse. If you insert the dildo with the curve going backwards, so that it follows the natural shape of the rectum, then that big bulge where the shaft bends will rub the prostate during the entire thrust. A few rapid and rhythmic thrusts like this will drive you wild, and for a dildo with little to no texture it provides an awful lot of prostate stimulation, something which is worth buying it for alone.
Aside from how you insert it you also have options on how you play with the dildo; you can thrust with it manually using the base as a handle, or you can use the stability of the base to allow you to squat over it and ride it, but either way you needn’t worry about being too vigorous as the soft head cushions any impact with your insides. If you’re using it in a harness with a partner then I’d recommend the doggystyle position, as that will help the shape best target the prostate. What’s a bit of a shame is that the toy isn’t compatible with a suction cup, as I can only imagine that it would feel great to use when stuck to a wall.
Tantus Pack ‘n’ Play No.1
This month I’ve been sent a brand new Tantus Pack ‘n’ Play dildo to review, which was recently nominated for an XBIZ Award as Gay/Lesbian Pleasure Product of the Year. Check out the review after the jump!
Vixen Creations Maverick
I’ve had my eye on the VixSkin Maverick for a while, it’s girthy, shapely, dual density – basically everything I look for in a dildo, but when I saw that it was available in neon green suddenly I had to have it.
The dildo is of a realistic/phallic design, and is especially beautiful to my eyes. If someone were to attempt to design the perfect penis then aesthetically the Maverick would come very close. It features a nice plump glans with a flared coronal ridge, and there’s even a small groove to mark the meatus. Directly below the glans, and connected to it by a subtle frenulum, is a raised area intended to represent a retracted foreskin. It is one of the more unusual foreskin details that I’ve seen on a dildo, lacking the characteristic wrinkling that is typical, and instead taking on the form of a ridged band which looks almost as though someone wrapped a scarf around the shaft. The shaft itself features a prominent column running vertically along the underside, from the base up to the foreskin, and with the exception of the head the whole surface is slightly textured to give a skin-like appearance. The shape of the shaft includes a slight upward curve which starts around the midpoint, and makes the dildo look as though it’s leaning backwards when stood up. The Maverick comes in a wide selection of colours, both realistic skin tones and more fanciful options. I went for the bright neon “Fluor-a-Green” option because I’m a big fan of more interesting-looking toys. My initial reaction when I took it out of the packaging was to think that if the Incredible Hulk had a penis, then this is probably what it would look like, or at least so I imagine.
The dildo is made of Vixen’s VixSkin material, which is a dual-density silicone much like the Tantus O2. The Maverick has a firm silicone core coated with an outer layer of soft silicone. Unlike the Tantus O2 line the VixSkin dildos have a much thicker layer of soft silicone which covers the whole dildo equally, rather than just having a predominately soft head. The core runs through the length of the dildo, but stops just under halfway through the head, leaving the tip completely soft. The soft outer material is incredibly squishy and can easily be manipulated and stretched about to a significant degree. The surface of the material is smooth and shiny, but it does feel slightly tacky to the touch which is normal. The VixSkin silicone is a really lovely material and is completely odourless and body-safe. The quality of construction is truly impeccable on the Maverick; the entire toy is made without the presence of mould lines or defects in the surface of the soft material.
The base of the dildo incorporates an incredibly simple suction cup embedded into it rather than just being flat, which is a really great idea in my opinion, and I don’t know why more manufacturers haven’t followed suit. Despite being of such a simple design the suction cup works pretty well and I’d had it stuck quite firmly to bathroom tiles and wardrobe doors without it falling off. It can be a little tricky to operate at first though, as it has to be pushed down very firmly in order to establish strong suction, and this isn’t always easy due to the soft outer layer of material stretching around when you apply force. The base also allows the dildo to be used with an O-ring harness if desired. It’s a good 3 1/4″ wide and thick enough not to be floppy, so you can feel confident that it will be held securely.
When it comes to using the dildo initial insertion can be sightly tricky if you haven’t warmed up first with another toy, not only because of the thickness of the bulbous head, but because of the squishy material. If you’re starting with a very tight sphincter, then the more pressure you put onto the dildo tends to just stretch the soft material around, instead of driving the dildo into the body. It’s possible to accomplish insertion this way, but it requires a little patience. If you’ve warmed up before you start then insertion really is a breeze, and it feels incredibly comfortable due to the thick layer of soft silicone which acts as a cushion all around. Because the material is so soft there’s not quite so much a sense of a “pop” as the sphincter passes over the coronal ridge of the glans, but you’re still aware of it happening and it feels enjoyable. The length of the dildo may be slightly too much if you’re intending to insert it all anally, but thanks to the wonderfully squishy tip you can avoid any discomfort in trying to do so. There’s no unpleasant poking sensation when the head buts up against the top of rectum, as the material cushions it all, so you just feel slight pressure. Once the dildo is all the way inside the body it feels pleasantly filling, especially if you’ve gone as deep as possible. Thrusting with the Maverick is a truly delightful affair, and also incredibly pleasurable. Thankfully it manages to lack that eerie frictionless experience that came with the Randy, and there’s just the right level of awareness of something sliding in and out of the body. The size of the head and the ridges do a great job at stimulating you inside, and whether you decide to enjoy it slow and gently, or hard and fast, you can feel it rubbing up against the prostate and delivering some intense sensations. If you’re inclined to clench against the dildo while using it then you’ll find that it’s very comfortable to do so as the thick layer of soft material just absorbs the pressure, but the inner core provides enough firmness to give the reassurance that something substantive is being held there.
You have a wide variety of positions in which you can comfortably use the Maverick. The weight and shape of it make it great for just lying back and thrusting by hand. Squatting over the dildo and riding it is also a great option, and thanks to the sturdy base it stays upright really well. The slight curve in the shaft means that you may have to direct it inside first with your hands, but after that it’s smooth sailing. One of my favourite positions is actually to take advantage of the suction cup and use it stood up. Just thrusting your hips back and forth and feeling the head popping in and out of you can be a nice sensation, and if you position the dildo at just the right height then the curve of the shaft will have the bulbous head pressing up against the prostate with each in stroke. The Maverick feels incredibly robust when it’s being used, even when it’s getting bent around a lot as you’re thrusting against it on a wall. Despite the soft outer material the firm core allows it to really take whatever you throw at it and still bounce back, and I have no doubt that it’s durable enough to last for a long time.
The Maverick comes packaged in a clear cylindrical tube and fits quite snugly within it. Getting inside the tube and removing the dildo is actually quite simple if you know the trick. Before you remove the cap you want to squeeze the tube slightly just below it to allow some air under it, then it will pop off with ease. Doing this also helps when replacing the cap after you’re done. The tube doubles as a handy storage container in the long term, so it’s worth hanging onto.
Cleaning the Maverick is like cleaning any other silicone product, and helpfully it includes some instructions for this on the tube in case you need extra guidance. You can wash it with anti-bacterial soap and hot water, use a toy wipe or toy cleaner, or you can sterilise it by boiling it in hot water for 3 minutes or wiping it over with a 10% bleach solution. The VixSkin material really is a dust magnet, so you’ll probably want to rinse it before each use, even if you do store it in the tube. Remember that because VixSkin is silicone never to use a silicone lube with it.
Overall I think that the Maverick is a fantastic toy and it gets my full recommendation. It looks great, it feels amazing, and basically it’s everything you could ever want in a dildo.
The Maverick is available from SheVibe and UberKinky in a selection of flesh tones.
Vixen Creations Randy
Ever since I bought the Tantus Max O2 and realised how wonderful dual-density dildos are I’ve been wanting to try out a VixSkin product. I decided that the Randy would be a good option as I tend to like things on the thick side, but also because it’s quite short and would eliminate any redundant shaft length.
The dildo is of a realistic/phallic design, but it isn’t especially detailed unlike most VixSkin products. It features a nice plump glans with a flared coronal ridge, while the shaft is mostly smooth with no veining or such. The underside of the junction between the glans and the shaft is quite flat, with no detailing of a frenulum, keeping things simple. The shaft itself features quite a prominent upward curve which makes the dildo look as though it’s leaning backwards when stood up. The Randy comes in three colours, I selected the “vanilla” which is rather darker than Tantus’s “cream” and much closer to a skin tone. It actually matches my pale complexion rather well.
The dildo is made of Vixen’s VixSkin material, which is a dual-density silicone much like the Tantus O2. The Randy has a firm silicone core coated with an outer layer of soft silicone. Unlike the Tantus O2 line the VixSkin dildos have a much thicker layer of soft silicone which covers the whole dildo equally, rather than just having a predominately soft head. The core runs through the length of the dildo, but stops two thirds of the way through the head, leaving the tip completely soft. The soft outer material is incredibly squishy and can easily be manipulated and stretched about to a significant degree. The surface of the material is smooth and shiny, but it does feel slightly tacky to the touch which is normal. The VixSkin silicone is a really nice material and is completely odourless and body-safe. The quality of construction really is impeccable on the Randy; the entire toy is made without the presence of mould lines or defects in the surface of the soft material.
The base of the dildo incorporates an incredibly simple suction cup embedded into it rather than just being flat, which is a really great idea in my opinion, and I don’t know why more manufacturers haven’t followed suit. Despite being of such a simple design the suction cup works really well and I’d had it stuck firmly to bathroom tiles and wardrobe doors without it falling off. On my particular model the cup is a little lopsided; on one side the depth of the cup at the edge is 3mm, while on the other side it’s only 1mm. The proximity to the surface on that side is a slight worry, as were it any more shallow it wouldn’t be able to maintain suction well, but happily it hasn’t proved to be a problem. The base also allows the dildo to be used with an O-ring harness if desired. It’s a good 3 1/2″ wide and thick enough not to be floppy, so you can feel confident that it will be held firmly.
When it comes to using the dildo initial insertion can be somewhat tricky if you haven’t warmed up first with another toy, not only because of the size of the bulbous head, but because of the squishy material. If you’re starting with a very tight sphincter, then the more pressure you put onto the dildo tends to just stretch the soft material around, instead of driving the dildo into the body. It’s possible to accomplish insertion this way, but it requires more perseverance. If you’re warmed up before you start then insertion really is a breeze, and it feels incredibly comfortable due to the thick layer of soft silicone which acts as a cushion all around. Because the material is so soft there is unfortunately no sense of a “pop” as the sphincter passes over the coronal ridge of the glans. The length of the dildo makes it quite suited to anal use, as due to the relative shortness of the rectal cavity you don’t end up paying for inches of material which don’t get used. It’s almost possible to insert the dildo and sit down with it inside, almost as though you were wearing a butt plug, though in my case I found it just slightly too long considering the thickness. Once the dildo is all the way inside the body it really does feel incredibly filling, especially if you’ve gone as deep as possible. Thrusting with the Randy is a unique experience because it’s frictionless, something that I’ve never experienced with a dildo before. Somehow the combination of the smooth surface, the thick layer of soft material, and a good lube all add up to create a situation where practically nothing can be felt in the sphincter as the dildo glides completely seamlessly in and out of the anus. The predominant sensation is merely of a fullness inside the rectum coming and going with each thrust. I found this a little jarring at first as personally I enjoy that feeling of physically knowing that something’s sliding in and out. This awareness of a lack of sensation is more noticeable the more you think about it; the dildo almost feels too soft inside the body, and like a jelly. Other than feeling filling the presence of the dildo really doesn’t provide a great deal of stimulation, you know that something is there but that’s it, it’s all very nondescript. If you’re inclined to clench against the dildo while using it then you’ll find that it’s not easy to hold onto, the thick layer of soft material just absorbs the pressure and shifts around, so you don’t get that firm knowledge of knowing exactly where the dildo is inside you. This area really is a mater of opinion though, as many of these points could be viewed as a positive, especially by people who loathe all forms of drag, but personally I find myself preferring the thinner layer of soft material that Tantus use. Vixen do actually make a regular silicone version of the Randy, and given my experience I think that this one may have been better suited to me.
You are somewhat limited in the positions in which you can use the Randy; squatting over the dildo and riding it is rather awkward due to the strong curve in the shaft, and the fact that you have to squat low due to the relatively short length, but it is possible and can be enjoyed this way. My favourite position is actually to take advantage of the suction cup and use it stood up. Just thrusting your hips back and forth and feeling the head popping in and out of you can be a nice sensation, and if you position the dildo at just the right height then the curve of the shaft will have the bulbous head pressing up against the prostate with each in stroke. The dildo can of course also be enjoyed while lying your back or side, and the base makes for a nice handle to hold the dildo with while thrusting. The Randy feels incredibly robust when it’s being used, especially if its getting bent around a lot as you’re thrusting against it on a wall. Despite the soft outer material the firm core allows it to really take whatever you throw at it and still bounce back. I have no doubt that it’s durable enough to last for a long time.
Dual-Density Dilemma
Edit: Since the time I wrote this Fleshjack have started making their dildos out of a new, softer silicone, similar to that used in the Tantus Pack ‘n’ Play No. 1, and consequently they feel even more realistic. I’m not certain that this entirely invalidates my point, as the dual-density dildos still maintain a uniquely lifelike feeling, but I am perhaps in less of a hurry now to see my idea become a reality.