Wooden Toys, what's the allure?

Hi there folks!

I was browsing through the dildo section after reading a couple forum posts about people trying to pick between dildos, including some wooden dildos in their choices. I'm kind of wondering what the allure for wooden dildos are?

I can appreciate the artistic value of them, like the "Smooth S Shape", but practical application seems sketchy. I don't care how well made a wooden object is, how well varnished or polished or whatever, it's going to have health and safety issues over time I'd think. Lubricants and body fluids would seep in eventually right? And cleaning, and sterilizing on occasion, would also break down the surface of the toy and lead to splinters and hidey nooks for bacteria I'd think? So why buy them if you want a toy for actual use? If you want a hard, non vibrating toy, why not go for glass or steel?

I love wood toys, though I also own glass and metal toys. Here's my reasoning.

1) They're beautiful! They're silky smooth, curvy, and sensual. That's appealing to me and, often, arousing.

2) They're lightweight, especially compared to the heft of glass and metal.

3) They feel more warm and familiar to me, as opposed to the cold sterility of glass and metal.

4) They're environmentally- and body-friendly. Wooden toys are often sustainably-farmed, chemical-free, and all-natural.

I'd also like to debunk your concerns about splinters and "hidey nooks".

The wooden toys I own are all by NobEssence, so I can't say that I know much about other brands, but I can certainly vouch for NobEssence. Their products are sanded and polished totally smooth and utterly flawless. They use a state-of-the-art sealant that is bio-compatible, hypoallergenic, and completely waterproof, "[stemming] from years of meticulous research and development and meet USP Class IV and VI Medical Standards. According to NobEssence, "when carved wood comes into contact with moisture, it absorbs those fluids and becomes rough, bumpy and even splintery. Most wood sealants considered ‘food safe’ will break down or dissolve over time, so we spent a long time searching for a sealant to make our wood waterproof and body safe."

You should be careful not to damage the surface by dropping it or knocking it against other hard surfaces. You shouldn't boil it or expose it to high temperatures in a dishwasher, but you can wash it with warm water and non-abrasive soap, soak it for ten minutes in a 10% bleach solution, or wipe it down with anti-bacterial/microbi al cleaner, such as alcohol, bleach, peroxide, etc. If you do suspect the toy has been damaged, you can test the integrity of the finish by "immersing it in water for a few seconds and removing to inspect. If the area in question darkens in response to water AND when wiped remains damp when the surrounding area is dry", then you have damage.

In short, if you follow directions and take proper care of your toy, you shouldn't encounter any problems. The philosophy with wood toys is the same as with glass. If you notice that your glass toy has a chip or a crack, you should no longer use it. The same goes for wood toys. Over time, nearly any material or item may have health and safety issues. It's a matter of risk management and taking good care of your toys.

And there you have it!