Like a moth to a flame

I have been wanting to try a vibrator with ticklers on it for some time now but a lot of them look very intimidating. The Flame seemed to be a good introduction into the tickler world since it has shorter studs than most of the others on the market. The entire toy is slick and soft and the studs are very pliable, nothing like I imagined they would feel. Flame has its powerhouse in the center of the shaft so you can feel vibrations throughout the toy even on low settings.

Flame is a great beginner vibrator if you are looking to add texture to your toy box. It's fairly compact at 7 1/2" long with 4 1/2" being insertable though it is a bit thick being 5" around at its widest point. It is meant for g-spot stimulation but I found it to be a little difficult for the limited shaft rotation to hit my spot accurately. There are short studs as well as petal-shaped longer studs that add to the internal tickles while the toy vibrates. I was able to feel all the stimulants while the Flame was inserted.

While the Flame is meant for g-spot action it also makes a great clitoral teaser. All the little studs dancing around your lady parts makes you want to start a bon fire. I unfortunately was not able to roast any marshmallows with this vibe but if you like less range of motion in shaft rotation then I would recommend giving this product a try.

This is also nice for general stimulation over the entire body. Because it literally tickles when its vibrating you could substitute it for a feather tickler while you or your partner are blindfolded and play with their nipples, neck, down the belly, etc. The Flame can get you hot and bothered in no time!

Flame is made of elastomer which is fast becoming my new favorite material. The material is odorless and is somewhat porous, less porous than TPR or cyberskin but not as solid as silicone. Similar to silicone the material has a drag to it but instead of a matte finish it has a shiny, almost wet look to it. It is also tasteless and smooth to the touch.

The toy, however, doesn't have many places that are smooth. The entire Flame is covered in texture, even the handle/battery compartment has is ribbed. The surface looks similar to actual flames, with beautiful wave/petal-like shapes that come to points that are unattached to the body of the toy. It is a little difficult to see on the photos but imagine the base of the 'petal' is part of the body and the middle of the 'petal' begins to emerge off the body and the tip of the 'petal' creates a floppy point that provides you with that wonderful tickle feeling when the vibration is turned on.

Along with the 'petal' tips the rest of the body is covered in small short yet very elastic studs. These protrusions make for a very stimulating toy even if you don't turn it on. Because the studs and nubs are shorter than other products I would say this is definitely a hot item to try if you're looking for a new feeling during play time. Beginners to the tickle feel should be able to get a good idea whether they like this type of sensation without getting burned on price if they decide it's not for them.

I really enjoy the shape of Flame as I haven't seen many toys like this. The design is very nice and feels great inside and outside the body. Take away the texture and it reminds me of a glass toy with a bulbed head attached to a cylindrical body. Add the texture and a small shaft rotation and the Flame feels bigger than it is when inserted.

Flame was intimidating to begin with but once I applied some lube and started to put it in I was overcome with a comforting realization that the texture flexed and melted to my body rather than poking it. At the bottom of the head is a thin pinched neck which I think gives the head a bigger feel. The bulbed head opens you up and then the neck stalls the insert process. Consquently this makes the shaft feel larger as well since it is opening you up again and that's where you really start to notice the nubbies.

It is a smaller vibe which makes it nice to take on trips if you like to travel with your toys like I do. It is not discreet though. It will draw attention if anyone catches a glimps because it is very fluid and futuristic looking. It doesn't come with any pouch for storage and I would recommend getting one for this item. It will make it easier to hide during travel but it will also protect it from fuzzes and other debris when not in use.

There are no actual vibration and rotation settings. Flame doesn't have any functions either, only two slider controls, one for vibes and one for rotation.

The vibrations are steady and are fairly intense going from what seems like medium to high. If you don't like strong vibes then you probably won't enjoy the limited range of this toy. For having powerful vibes the Flame is pretty quiet. You can hardly hear it at all if its inserted or under blankets. The vibrations resonate from the center of the shaft outward. I don't think they reach the tip of the toy very well but it does get those little ticklers moving.

The shaft rotation is barely noticeable for me. It only rotates in one direction and in a very tiny circle. Surprisingly the rotation motor is much louder than the vibration motor. It can be muffled once inserted but if you wiggle it around the sound can escape. I would recommend some music or t.v. for background noise if you need to be inconspicuous.

Each action is controled by a slider button at the base of the toy. They are easy to move, almost too easy. I didn't find it a problem if I accidently moved the controls because there just aren't that many variables to the settings. Occasionally one of the sliders would stick when when it reached the very top or very bottom but with a little encouragement they slide again.

Flame is not waterproof, not even splash proof so take care when washing and applying lube to it. The base/handle feels cheaply made compared to the rest of the toy and it can pop open if you squeeze too hard.

Elastomer is fairly easy to take care of. I find it to be a simple task by spraying on my favorite toy cleaner and giving Flame a good rinse. You can also use mild soap and water if you prefer. Since there are parts of Flame that connect to the toy body you should take care to wash where the pieces come together so that nothing harmful grows in the creases.

Since Flame is not waterproof I suggest holding it upside down, with the handle up, while cleaning. Not necessary, just a precaution I do when I feel I need to be extra careful not to get water in the battery compartment.

I have heard on several occasions that people have had their elastomer toys melt while in storage. I have not had this problem but I keep each toy in a separate storage bag while not in use. I did some research and found that at temperatures above 77 degrees the material can become soft and therefore deform. I think that in the application of sex toys the temperature tolerance is probably higher since it is meant to go into our bodies. Either way I would suggest you store this toy in a temperature controlled area in its own plastic baggy or toy sack.

The material is very similar to a rubber product so it can be used with water and silicone based lubes. This also means that it is porous and can not be sterilized so make sure you use a condom if you plan to share your Flame.

Flame came packaged in an easy to open plastic molded shell. It has a semi-opaque insert with minimal information. On the top left corner you can see that the toy is from the Verve line by Spartacus. In five small white boxes the insert tells you that that the enclosed toy comes with 'separate controls for vibration and rotation', 'skin-safe elastomer', 'easy to clean', 'odorless', 'phthalate free'. There isn't any info on the back.