You’ve probably seen photos of a metal dildo before. Honestly, they’re hard to miss. Not only are they shiny as heck, but they’re a unique, shimmery material that most of us don’t expect to see in porn – or in the sex toy store!
But just because something is a sex toy doesn’t necessarily mean that it should be. Is that the case with a metal dildo? Is a metal dildo safe?
If that metal dildo is smooth to the touch and made from high-quality, polished steel, yes, you’re safe to put it inside your body! Remember, we use metal and steel for a lot of things (including surgical implants); temporary contact with steel isn’t going to bother most bodies.
But what about your metal dildo? We’ve determined that steel is safe is on a case-by-case basis, so what about the one you’re holding in your hands – or about to buy?
Here’s how to ensure your metal dildo is safe:
Buy from a Reputable Manufacturer
The easiest way to ensure your steel dildo will be safe for use is to buy from a reputable company. In most cases, this honestly means spending more money (I know, never the answer anyone wants). But high-quality materials with good quality control requires more money than churning out unsafe toys. It sucks (for your wallet), but it’s the better choice.
It may help to think of your steel dildo as a lifetime investment – versus a disposable sex toy. With proper care, there will be no reason to throw away a stainless steel dildo. It won’t rust. It won’t degrade. It won’t discolor. As long as you take proper care to avoid scuffs and scratches, your stainless steel dildo should live longer than you do! (Dark, but honest.)
So, if you’re buying a product to last you a lifetime, it is worth saving up for a metal dildo from a reputable manufacturer versus a metal dildo at 1/5th the price from a brand you’ve never heard of.
Some brands come and go, but if you want the brand that has been around the longest as a jumping point, you’ll want to look toward Njoy. (Their Njoy Fun Wand is surprisingly budget-friendly as far as stainless steel goes!)
Do a Pre-Use Check with Your Fingers
You should honestly do this with any sex toy, but it becomes particularly important with glass, wood, and steel dildos. Before every use of your sex toy, make sure to run it all along your fingers. In the case of a steel toy, you might do this automatically because it feels nice – and because you might be trying to warm it up.
But while you do that, pay particular attention to how your fingers feel. Does anything catch your fingers? Scratch? You’re looking for any interruptions in the surface finish that might accidentally scratch you during use. In almost all cases, there won’t be any. Especially if this is a familiar dildo and you treat it with care, the dildo will be as pristine as ever.
However, especially if this is a new-to-you dildo or you recently dropped or scratched the dildo, it’s very possible for something to have interrupted the smooth finish that makes your metal dildo safe for use. This can be especially true for cheaper, generic dildos from brands you’ve never heard of before; they simply never quality-checked their toys to ensure the coat was correct in the first place. (It’s a common problem in the chastity cage manufacturer world as well. It’s scary how sharp the interior of some of those low-quality cages are!)
Store It Properly
Yes, the pre-use check with your fingers is a vital step of the process you should never skip. But if you store your metal dildo by tossing it into the junk drawer, your dildo is going to fail that pre-check sooner rather than later. Metal and steel (especially the stainless type) can be extremely durable – except for scratches. The surface of a steel dildo is very sensitive to scratches, and a divet in the metallic finish of your dildo can make it abrasive on sensitive tissue and downright painful.
Stainless steel dildos may also be sensitive to large falls – though this reviewer almost broke their sink with the heft of a steel dildo and not the other way around.
Toss It at the First Sign of Degradation
A high-end stainless steel dildo will, literally, outlive you with proper care. When taken care of, these dildos can last multiple lifetimes in their beautiful, pristine condition.
However, “perfect” use and “real-life” use don’t always cross over. It’s possible that you stored your dildo in moist conditions. You might have allowed it to get near your keys. And through no fault of your own, it’s possible that you originally purchased a copycat, counterfeit metal dildo – and now the dildo is starting to show signs of rust.
Just like any sex toy out there, the best way to stay safe is to make the choice to toss your steel dildo at the first sign of degradation. If your dildo is changing colors – or isn’t passing the finger test anymore, it’s time to pass it onto its next stage in life – far away from the insides of your body. It can make a lovely paperweight (or, depending on the size, a literal weapon; I’m looking at you, njoy Eleven!)
Why Use a Metal Dildo?
So, we’ve talked about how to ensure the metal dildo you purchase will be a safe one, but, really, why should you purchase a metal dildo in the first place? Are they any better than glass dildos or silicone dildos?
Metal dildos happen to have the benefit of:
- Being extremely slippery.
- Compatibility with all lubes.
- Extremely firm g-spot/p-spot stimulation. For a lot of people who are trying to hit their internal, orgasmic spots (which respond best to pressure for many people), a metal dildo offers the rigidity and firmness that can be the perfect combination. They’re regularly touted as g-spot and p-spot magicians!
- Ridiculously strong durability.
- Sterilizable material. This can be especially helpful for sharing with multiple partners or when looking for a toy that can swap between anal and vaginal play.
- Easy cleaning.
- Body-safe, nonallergenic material.
- Beautiful visuals.
- Non-realistic designs. Most stainless steel dildos look more like pieces of abstract art than a phallus. Especially for people who are turned off by realistic options, the shiny, tool-like design of stainless steel toys is a bonus.
- Retaining temperature.
On the opposing side, metal dildos also:
- Retain temperature. I know it was an awesome thing three seconds ago, but reality also means it can be a crappy thing sometimes too. Remember those frigid days in your house in the dead of winter? Your dildo will retain that temperature too, and it’ll be an icicle to pick up.
- Are extremely rigid. There’s absolutely nothing soft about a metal dildo. Its exact size will feel like its exact size. If you want a bit of plushness or softness with your penetration, this is not the toy for that.
- Weigh a decent chunk. For those with wrist strength concerns, metal dildos might be out. They’re heavy little toys! Even for those without wrist strength issues, a metal dildo can be exhausting to hold for a marathon sex session.
- Are on the pricey end. You should consider a metal dildo an “investment“. They’ll be more expensive than many of your glass options or single-density silicone dildo options – though they’ll be cheaper than other luxury material options like marble or wood. Assume the price is the price you pay for extreme durability, though – but I also know the price may put this out of the reach of many people.
A lot of people choose steel dildos because of their rigid, slick material. This makes it easier to hit those internal spots – and it only requires the littlest amount of lube to make it happen. Especially in BDSM, steel dildos and metal dildos are especially common because they look kinky, can be sterilized between partners, and offer a design that’s going to hold up to decades of regular play without breaking down.
If you’re someone who loves the idea of a steel dildo – but it isn’t in the cards, budget-wise, at the moment, I’d recommend trying a glass dildo for the moment instead. Glass dildos offer many of the same benefits but without the long-term durability of steel – and at a fraction of the price. Personally, I tend to lean more towards glass dildos when heading into my sex toy closet because of their lighter weight, but they don’t offer the same visual, heft, or durability as stainless steel.
Are Steel Dildos Good for Anal?
Yes…and no!
Like all good things in sex, it depends on how you use it.
Steel dildos are made of steel. I’m betting you’ve handled a piece of steel before, and you know exactly how unforgiving steel can be. It’s just as unforgiving inside of an ass.
This means a “good, hard pounding” can literally bruise up some internal parts of your butt – and the entrance! This can be especially easy to do if you’re using a steel dildo for anal on someone else or if you’re otherwise distracted (like if you’re trying to impress a model on live sex cams). You might find that you bump into the end of the S-curve of the butt without necessarily meaning to!
However, there’s no reason that you have to go to pound town with a steel dildo for anal. Instead, start things off slowly, and keep them slow, as you slowly increase intensity. You might find that steel dildos need to stay at a soft and gentle pace – and that’s okay too! The magic of steel dildos is in their heft and unchanging curves. The speed of your thrusts won’t change any of the benefits that steel can provide!
Steel dildos for anal also provide another great benefit: fantastic cleaning. As steel isn’t as porous as silicone or many other materials, it is a bit more resistant to the “butt smell” that plugs can occasionally get. Steel can also be boiled, bleached, or soaked for full sterilization, so even if you do get a bit of residual scent, you can kick it out of there really fast!
So as long as your steel dildo (or steel butt plug!) has a flared base, and you’re willing to start things off slow, there’s no reason your steel dildo can’t be used for anal!
I Have a Nickel Allergy. Can I Use Steel Dildos?
The answer is…maybe.
I, personally, have an allergy to nickel. (Cheap jewelry will turn my skin blue, but I don’t have any life-threatening reactions to being exposed to nickel. Nickel earrings, however, will start to inflame/puff up my ears within about 5 hours of wear, though, so it’s a faster reaction than I’d like.)
Many stainless steel compositions include nickel. In most circumstances, the nickel within the toy won’t, necessarily, touch your skin during use, but if you have a life-threatening reaction to nickel, you may choose to forego steel toys just in case.
On my end, I’ve never experienced any adverse effects from any of my steel toys – including steel plugs worn for hours on end, but your results may vary.
What is a Dildo Hooked to a Metal Bar?
So, your question might have led you here because you’re curious about a dildo hooked to a metal bar – and that’s pretty awesome too.
What you’re looking for is a type of pillory. They can actually be pretty awesome. Not only do they help spread the legs of your “captive”, but they provide erotic pleasure at the same time. The traditional pillory looks a bit different, but in the hands of kinky people, the idea of a “pillory” has evolved to include dildos. (Because of course it has.)
Just make sure to take balance into account! Especially with all of the distracting sensations going on, a pillory can be dangerous if your partner falls off balance. Most people begin their metal dildo pillory exploration with an at-home option that doesn’t cost a thousand dollars. If that’s the case for you as well, make sure to position your partner up against a wall. This can provide additional balance and reduce the likelihood of falling – but always be prepared in case it happens!
