Tag: dual core

Dual-Density Dildos

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One of my favourite types of sex toy on the market today is the dual-density dildo, and the simple reason for this is that they offer an unparalleled sense of realism, something which you’ll almost struggle to believe until the first time you try one for yourself. 
What makes dual-density dildos so special is that they’re designed in such a way that they have a firm-yet-flexible inner core, surrounded by a layer of soft squishy material on the outside. It works in much the same way as a real penis, where the shaft is solid during an erection, while the head remains spongy. It’s not something which many of us ever give much thought to, but this particular feature of the penis exists so as to facilitate comfortable intercourse for the receptive partner; the spongy head acts like a shock absorber, cushioning any accidental impact caused by over-vigorous thrusting, and the dual-density dildos mimic this perfectly.
The combination of material densities in these dildos gives a wonderfully natural feeling, even if you’re just using them by yourself, and that can be reason enough to buy one; there’s nothing at all alien about the way in which it feels, so you can really lose yourself in the moment, rather than being conscious that you’re using an inanimate object. They’re especially good for anal use, and even more so for beginners, because they’re so gentle; the squishy head doesn’t apply too much force to the sphincter as you’re trying to insert it, allowing it to enter smoothly without coming as a shock, and once is it inserted that soft layer around the shaft absorbs the force of any clenching of the tight muscle against it. Where the dual-density dildos really shine though has to be in use with a partner for strap-on play. When you’re using any dildo by yourself you’re always conscious of your own limits, and are able to control the depth of insertion, but when a partner is in control this isn’t so easy. Here is a prime example again of when the squishy head really works to your advantage, because when an over-excited partner goes a little too deep it’s not going to feel like a battering ram to the guts like it may with something more solid, instead that soft tip is going to take that force and you’ll just feel a little pressure inside instead.
At present there are two manufacturers of dual-density dildos, Tantus and Vixen Creations, and they each make them slightly differently, but one thing they have in common is what they make them from – silicone. Silicone is a wonderful material, not only because of its versatility which allows it to be made in different levels of firmness, but also because of its reputation as a safe material. With a high quality silicone product you can guarantee a number of important things: that it’s odourless, and by extension tasteless, that it’s non-porous, allowing it to be sterilised and shared between partners, and that it won’t leach out any toxic chemicals into the body. Another great fact about silicone is how it reacts to heat. I’ve been talking a lot about how natural and realistic these dildos feel, and this is just another example of that; when you’re using a silicone product you’ll find that the material will steadily suck up heat from the body until it reaches equilibrium, and the result is that you’ll be using a nice warm dildo which feels exactly the same temperature as your body – or indeed the same temperature as though it were someone else’s body.
The first dual-density dildo I tried was from Tantus, and you can easily identify the products in their dual-density range by looking for the characters “O2” after the names. I currently have two, the Max O2 and the Adam O2. The core of the Tantus O2 dildos is made from the same type of silicone as the majority of their other products, so it has a nice amount of rigidity to it and holds its shape well, but you can still flex it about without too much effort. The shaft is covered with a fairly thin layer of the “SuperSoft” silicone, but it’s distributed so that it’s slightly thicker along the underside of the dildo, which is the area of a real penis through which the urethra would run, making this attention to detail especially realistic. The core extends only around 1/3 of the way into the head, leaving the rest of it made entirely from the softer silicone. The SuperSoft material really is lovely and squishy, not as much as the soft tissue would be on a real penis, but enough to give the right effect. In terms of visual appearance the Tantus O2 dildos do have one nice quirk, which is that they’re dual finish as well as dual-density; the head has a completely smooth and shiny surface, while the shaft is slightly matte, again aimed at making it appear more natural. Aside from that the dildos aren’t terribly detailed, and at most you’ll spot a subtle vein along the shaft, or a wrinkle of skin below the head marking the location of the frenulum. The dildos come in a variety of shapes and sizes to suit your needs, including some with balls and some without. The Max O2 is long, thick, and straight as an arrow, while the Adam O2 is thinner, shorter, and curved especially for prostate stimulation, and amongst the rest of the range you’re sure to find something perfect.
Vixen Creations take a slightly different approach to designing their dual-density dildos to Tantus, and I currently have four of them: the Randy, the Maverick, the Johnny, and the Outlaw. Vixen make their dildos from a type of silicone which they call “VixSkin”, and this is all round softer than that used by Tantus. The inner core of the dildos has a much greater degree of flex to it; it’s enough for the dildos to comfortably hold their shape, but place them in a harness and you’re much more likely to notice a droop in shaft. The outer layer of soft silicone is also much thicker around the shaft than on a Tantus dildo, which takes away a little of the realism, but does make it slightly more comfortable during use. Again the softer silicone has more squish to it, and almost the entire tip of dildo is made from it, so if you were to take the head between your thumb and forefinger and squeeze, then it would compress far more than on the Tantus. This extra softness does have its pros and cons: it definitely adds additional cushioning inside the body during use, but in terms of insertion, sometimes the material just moves and stretches around when pressed against a tight orifice, rather than going inside, which can be a slight hindrance if you weren’t planning on using a warm-up toy. In terms of appearance the Vixen dildos are markedly more detailed than the Tantus ones; there are plenty of veins along the shaft, folds of a retracted foreskin, and wrinkles along the balls (on those dildos which have them). This does give them a slight edge as they are very impressive to look at. Some of the dildos even include a suction cup built into the base which is a wonderful idea and very useful to have. There’s really good variety of different shapes, sizes, and colours to pick from, so again you’ll find one to suit your individual needs, or even several if you’re like me.
I have to say that I really do love both the Tantus and Vixen dual-density dildos, and I wouldn’t like to pick a favourite between them, if anything I like that they’re different, because each will suit divergent tastes. I hope now it’s clearer why I’m so convinced that dual-density dildos are amongst some of the best sex toys available today, and I also hope that it’ll make picking the one that’s right for you a little easier.

Tantus Adam O2

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It’s another week and another nice new product to test out! This time I was sent the Tantus Adam O2 to review.
The Adam is another dual-density dildo, like the Tantus Max O2 which I reviewed last year, and being that I’m a big fan of these I was quite eager to get my hands on it. You can check out the review below.

The Adam is one of Tantus’s range of realistic dildos, both in terms of appearance and feeling, and comes from the popular O2 line of toys. The dildo is a pretty good-sized item, slotting in somewhere between the modest Hank and the imposing Max, and it offers dimensions that you might well stumble across when meeting someone in real life, provided that you have reasonable fortune. In total it’s around 7 3/4″ long, though taking an accurate measurement can be tricky due to the curve, and it offers about 6 7/8″ that can actually be inserted. The girth along the shaft is nice and uniform, remaining at a steady 5 3/8″ circumference throughout, and altogether it’s a pretty nice package to behold.

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.

I have to say that overall I’m really pleased with the Adam and it makes another fine addition to my toy collection. It’s well made using quality materials, the dual-density aspect feels wonderful, and the intense curve is great for prostate stimulation. I can happily recommend this to anyone looking for a high-quality dildo.
You can buy the Tantus Adam O2 directly from Tantus

Tantus Pack ‘n’ Play No.1

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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!

The new Pack ‘n’ Play dildos from Tantus are an ingenious cross between their popular O2 line and the Supersoft. If you’re already familiar with Tantus products you may recognise the shape of the No.1 as being taken from the same mould as the Vamp.
As the name suggests the Pack ‘n’ Play is a dual purpose dildo, designed to serve both as a dildo for penetrative use, and also as a packer if desired. As with any product that performs two functions there’s the question of getting the balance right between the needs of each, and in this case it would seem that the “play” side is more strongly favoured.
Like all Tantus products the Pack ‘n’ Play No.1 is made of silicone, but what makes it different is that it’s much softer than the silicone you’d usually expect to find. If you’re someone who loves the fact that silicone is odourless, non-porous, and completely body-safe, but still find yourself drawn to other materials because it’s firmer than you’d like, then this dildo is going to be perfect for you. The material is wonderfully plush; it’s not quite as soft as the outer later on the O2 dildos, but it’s close. You can bend it with ease, compress it, and if you squeeze it hard enough it’ll even grow a little longer. I’m a huge fan of it already and I hope that Tantus will keep making more dildos like this, as it’s instantly become one of my favourite types of silicone.
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. Unlike the silicone in the O2 dildos there’s not even a hint of tackiness to it, which is very welcome. The construction of the dildo is superb, and you won’t find any hint of a mould line or defect anywhere along it.
The design of the Pack ‘n’ Play is modelled after the Vamp, one of Tantus’s realistic dildos. In total it’s 7 3/4″ long, and 6 3/4″ of that are actually insertable. The widest portion of the dildo is around the head, which measures 5 1/2″ in circumference. The head itself is very plump and dome shaped, and its shiny surface is quite lacking in detail. On the underside of the dildo the head blends almost seamlessly into the shaft below, in contrast to the reverse when the coronal ridge stands pronounced. The shaft gradually narrows along its entire length, going from 5 1/8″ just below the head, finally down to 4 3/4″ at the base, but it stays completely straight throughout, with no noticeable curve. The surface of the shaft is more detailed than the head, but still only to a minimal degree. Below the head is a small ridge and some creases intended to represent a retracted foreskin, and further down are several raised areas which look like veins. It’s not a great deal of detail, but it does add some points of interest and makes the dildo seem a little more lifelike.
The base of the dildo is designed to make it completely harness friendly, and it achieves this by incorporating some of the dual-density technology from the O2 dildos. The bottom half of the base is made from a much firmer silicone, and this firm material then extends around a 1/4 of the way up into the core of the shaft. The result of this is that is strengthens the base of the dildo, allowing it to be held securely in any compatible O-ring harness. If you are using the dildo in a harness then you will find that there’s a little droop in the shaft when it’s being held by the base, but not enough to cause any issues. When you’re not using the dildo the 2 5/8″ wide base is also great for standing the dildo upright and offers a lot of stability.
The Pack ‘n’ Play is possibly one of the most comfortable dildos I’ve ever used, and I’m quite keen for everyone to try it. Everything about the shape and the material makes it ideal for anal play, and it also comes in a realistic size that should suit a wide range of people. The tapered head with its shiny surface helps the dildo to slide very easily into the body, without the need for warm up, and you get a subtle pop as the muscle passes over the coronal ridge. The soft material feels so gentle against the sphincter, both during insertion and afterwards if you decide to stop 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 help to hold onto lube very well. Once the dildo is inside the body it does feel unimaginably comfortable, especially as it sucks up heat and warms to body temperature. I’m a huge fan of regular silicone, but the extra flex in the Pack ‘n’ Play makes it significantly better, and it really does bend around into any position it needs to be in. You can thrust with it by hand using the base as a handle, or 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. Even though it is quite a long dildo the material makes it possible to insert the whole thing in a way which you might struggle with other toys, as it’s able to snake around inside you with ease. The bulbous head can offer some prostate stimulation if you position the dildo just right during use, and while it is enough to be pleasant it doesn’t quite excel in this area.
If using the dildo for packing you may encounter a couple issues. The first is that when you attempt to fold it downwards, or sideways, depending on how you envision wearing it, you’ll find that the point at which it begins to bend is 3″ away from the bottom of the base, causing quite a conspicuous bulge. The second is that the material has a lot of spring in it, so you’ll need a strong pair of underwear to hold it down in the position you want, otherwise it’ll just stretch out the fabric and risk leaving it misshapen.
As the dildo is silicone you want to remember to avoid using silicone lubes with it. When it comes to cleaning it you can wash it with anti-bacterial soap and hot water, use a toy cleaner/wipe of your choice, or alternatively sterilise it by either boiling for a couple of minutes in a pan of water, or wiping it over with a 10% bleach solution.
Overall I’m thoroughly pleased with the Pack ‘n’ Play No.1 and think that it’s a fantastic product. If I was rating it as a packer then I’d probably be forced to knock off a point, but as I’m just using it as a dildo it gets full marks from me.
You can buy the Tantus Pack ‘n’ Play No.1 directly from Tantus, or UberKinky in the UK.

Vixen Creations Maverick

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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 Maverick is one of the larger dildos that Vixen make, both in terms of length and thickness. It measures in at 7 3/4″ with 6 3/4″ insertable, so while it may not be especially alarming in this regard, it’s a little bigger than the statistical average penis size. The widest part of the dildo is at the head which measures an impressive 6 1/2″ in circumference, and from there it narrows a little to 6″ around the middle, maintaining that thickness uniformly down to the base. At the very least the girth makes it a toy that’s best suited to someone who enjoys, and has experience with, larger toys.

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

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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 Randy is the thickest dildo that Vixen make, and also one of their shortest. It measures in at 6 3/8″ with 5 3/4″ insertable, so while it may appear to be on the small side in terms of length, it is in fact an average penis length, only with proportions which suggest otherwise. The widest part of the dildo is at the head which measures a whopping 6 7/8″ in circumference, making it a toy really suited to the more experienced user. It narrows a little to 6 3/4″ around the middle, and finally gets down to 6 3/8″ just above the base.

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.

The Randy comes packaged in a clear cylindrical tube and is wedged in place quite tightly. 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. As you pull the dildo out you want to squeeze the tube firmly in the middle to change the shape and allow the wide base enough room to move. Both these tricks also help when replacing the dildo and the cap when you’re done. The tube doubles as a handy storage container in the long term, so it’s worth hanging onto.
Cleaning the Randy 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 find this a dildo that’s hard to judge, because ultimately the quality of the product is fantastic, it just didn’t appeal to me personally. When it comes to dual-density dildos I much prefer the Tantus O2 approach where less is more, and with this particular dildo shape I think I make have been better off with the regular silicone version. I definitely intend to try another VixSkin dildo in the future, just to make a full evaluation.
The Randy is available from the fine folks at SheVibe.

Dual-Density Dilemma

Incendiaire Leave a comment
My two favourite dildos at present are probably my Pierre Fitch dildo by Fleshjack, and my Max O2 from Tantus. The thing is I like them for quite different reasons, and I’m starting to wish that someone would think to combine the aspects.
My love of the Fleshjack dildos stems largely from a mental place, and also a visual one. Many dildos are penis-shaped, but to me there’s a difference between being penis-shaped and being an actual penis. When I look at a Fleshjack dildo I know that it’s not merely a generic phallus carved by an artist, but it’s the replica of a real penis, the penis of a porn star, a penis that has had vast quantities of hot steamy sex. Every inch, every beautiful detail belongs to living breathing man, and for me this is an incredible turn-on. It’s the closest I’m likely to ever get to handling this impressive organ that I’ve seen in films, and it’s that unique selling point that draws me to the product, and indeed to others in the Fleshjack range.
My love for the Max O2, on the other hand, is purely physical. This is a dildo which delivers realism from a completely different angle; it feels real to the touch. Most of the time when you buy a dildo, whether an expensive one or a cheap one, whatever it’s made of it just feels nothing like a penis. In hardness or in softness, a dildo typically is uniform throughout, and comparatively a real penis has variety. Whilst erect  the shaft of the penis becomes firm and rigid, to hold its shape, while the engorged head remains soft and spongy, acting like a cushion in its ability to be gently compressed. Somehow Tantus have managed to capture this in their O2 range; by combining soft material on the outside with firm material on the inside, they’ve created a dildo that feels real, and just begs to be squeezed and manipulated. That in itself makes it a turn-on and a joy to use.
Shall we just imagine how things would be if these two products could be merged into one. A dildo which not only looks like one of the finest penises in porn, identical down to the slightest detail, but which also feels exactly how that penis should feel, being soft and hard in all the right places. It would absolutely tick every one of my boxes, and I dare say that from my perspective it would be the perfect dildo. All that remains is to hope that someone makes one, but I wonder if it would ever happen. The two products seem to target different markets, while Fleshjack are good enough to make their dildos from silicone, most porn-actor-replica products are made from materials of a lower grade. They sell largely on the novelty of who they’re modelled on, with less focus on quality. The dual-density O2 dildos on the other hand sell exclusively on the idea of quality, they’re high end dildos for people who really care about what they’re using, and want the maximum experience. The question is, how much cross-over is there between the two markets? I know I’d snap up such a product instantly, and probably wouldn’t leave the house for a week, but just how much of a niche am I?

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.