Aluminum v. Steel: Which is better?

Contributor: Ms. N Ms. N 03/24/2012

I have my Pure Wand, so I have no need for another steel toy, but some of these aluminum toys are really cute. What are the advantages of one metal over the other?

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Contributor: Ms. N Ms. N
Which is better?
Answers (private voting - your screen name will NOT appear in the results):
19
5
3
54
Total votes: 81 (71 voters)
Poll is open
03/24/2012
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Contributor: freud13 freud13
Steel or stainless steel is better.
03/24/2012
Contributor: Beck Beck
I have them both and I like steel/stainless steel better. But aluminum is nice too. Butterflies are really pretty!

03/24/2012
Contributor: Master DarkWolf Master DarkWolf
My Baby has tried steel so far but she says it is a better material as she knows...
03/24/2012
Contributor: DreamWolf DreamWolf
Quote:
Originally posted by Master DarkWolf
My Baby has tried steel so far but she says it is a better material as she knows...
Yep, as I know stainless steel is the safest material out there, and it depends on the kind of steel too!
03/24/2012
Contributor: Mr. E Mr. E
Stainless steel is heavier, but they are both great materials.
03/25/2012
Contributor: DiamondKoala DiamondKoala
It's just weight and density, steel can stand up to a lot more and is of higher quality usually.
03/25/2012
Contributor: Djiffy Djiffy
As said above, stainless steel is slightly higher quality.
03/25/2012
Contributor: Undead Undead
Quote:
Originally posted by Ms. N
Which is better?
Haven't tried any yet
03/25/2012
Contributor: Entropy Entropy
Yah, butterflies are pretty. I have several steel toys, love them all. I wouldn't mind trying aluminum, but the lighter weight makes me think I wouldn't like it as much. I wanted all of the alumina line at first...then I realized what a "swallowing" hazard they were. They seem to be of poor design. I may try an aluminum toy some day, though.
03/25/2012
Contributor: mlmac mlmac
I have only tried steel/stainless steel. I love the feeling of weight that you get from steel, which you wouldn't get from aluminium. Btw, I think butterflies are pretty too.
03/25/2012
Contributor: unfulfilled unfulfilled
I haven't tried any of them yet. The pure Wand is on my list, but I know it is heavy. I may like to try something a little bit lightweight as well.
03/25/2012
Contributor: Silverdrop Silverdrop
I like using the Pure Wand in the bath, as the water helps offset the weight somewhat. I'd like to try aluminium some time, but it's not as high on the toy wishlist as some other items.
03/25/2012
Contributor: Incendiaire Incendiaire
It really is down to an issue of weight. Metals share the same properties in terms of conducting heat, so either will be great for temperature play, but ferrous metals such as steel weigh a lot more than aluminium alloys.

It depends how quickly you think your arm will tire, personally I wouldn't worry about it unless you're looking at the njoy eleven.
04/21/2012
Contributor: Terri69 Terri69
It's a personal choice of which is better for you.
04/22/2012
Contributor: ScottA ScottA
The Alumina line is targeted primarily for vaginal use. It comes from Tantus, who know enough to put flanges on butt toys.

There are a few differences in the materials, some noticeable, some not so much. Visually, aluminum can be anodized, so it's available in colors. Steel is generally made "white" because it's harder to do permanent colors.

Aluminum is a lighter and softer metal. Toys made from it will be lighter, and since it's softer it's easier to machine (one of the reasons, anyway). Aluminum toys will probably be a bit cheaper because of the easier machining (assuming equal pay for the makers). They'll also be easier to hold single-person because they won't be so heavy. The surface of aluminum will require a bit more caution to keep from being gouged or scratched, but basic care will be enough to protect either (put either it in a sock when you're storing it if there's anything hard around, they both will scratch and gouge if you're not careful).

Aluminum is a better conductor of heat (also of electricity, but this won't be as big of a point), but steel has a higher thermal mass. If you insert an aluminum toy and put the outside end in hot water the whole toy will warm up - not so with stainless. Stainless, once warmed up, will stay warm longer than aluminum because of the thermal mass.
04/22/2012
Contributor: sweetpea12 sweetpea12
Quote:
Originally posted by Ms. N
Which is better?
I haven't tried either but steel seems really expensive and i'm not willing to spend up to two hundred dollars on a dildo. I would just stick to aluminum if it's cheaper
04/22/2012
Contributor: Clubbinseals Clubbinseals
i love butterflys
04/26/2012
Contributor: Girly Juice Girly Juice
Steel is heavier and just feels more luxurious overall, IMO.
04/26/2012
Contributor: hillys hillys
steal is sopposed to have a nicer feel and be heavier
04/28/2012
Contributor: Eva Schwaltz Eva Schwaltz
I've only tried steel and love it. I'm not overly interested in aluminum.
04/28/2012
Contributor: Ms. N Ms. N
Quote:
Originally posted by ScottA
The Alumina line is targeted primarily for vaginal use. It comes from Tantus, who know enough to put flanges on butt toys.

There are a few differences in the materials, some noticeable, some not so much. Visually, aluminum can be anodized, so ... more
Thanks for this very educational answer! I did figure as much on the weight, but as for the rest, that is all new
05/04/2012
Contributor: its just me its just me
Quote:
Originally posted by Ms. N
Which is better?
stainless steel is alot better of a metal.
05/04/2012
Contributor: Allison.Wilder Allison.Wilder
Stainless steel is a sturdier metal.
05/06/2012
Contributor: carenautilus carenautilus
I've only ever had steel toys, so I don't really know. I know steel is a tougher metal, but they're both pretty tough.
05/06/2012
Contributor: ScottA ScottA
Quote:
Originally posted by Allison.Wilder
Stainless steel is a sturdier metal.
Either is sturdy enough for a sex toy.
05/06/2012
Contributor: RomanticGoth RomanticGoth
I haven't tried either, but want to try stainless steel. I have mild allergic reactions to most metals and stainless steel is one of the few that I can handle without any problems.
05/06/2012
Contributor: ashboo32 ashboo32
i don't have experience with either
02/18/2013
Contributor: Solar Ray Solar Ray
Not much can beat the heft and solid feel of steel.
02/18/2013
Contributor: karenm karenm
I've only used stainless steel.
03/12/2013
Contributor: 1001 Pleasures 1001 Pleasures
I've only used steel, but aluminum wouldn't appeal to me, as it's such a soft metal.
03/12/2013
Contributor: PiƱa Colada Piña Colada
Quote:
Originally posted by Ms. N
Which is better?
Love butterflies hehe
03/12/2013
Contributor: atryonix atryonix
Butterflies are pretty.
03/12/2013