The first time I was introduced to luxury-grade sex toys I felt like I was on the set of a high-brow porn. I was immediately jolted out of my silicone comfort zone into a wonderful world of temperature play and sensation exploration. My mind started racing with all the different fantasies I could play out with something similar, and thus began my obsession with precious metal dildos. It wasn’t long after that I became known by all my partners as “the silver sword” because I always had a stainless-steel or titanium gizmo hidden somewhere in my bag of tricks. At one point, I had someone ask me where I got all my toys and I had no idea what to say. Over the years, I’ve acquired quite a few devices so I no longer know who made what or where I got it. What I do know is this: Precious metal sex toys are the bee’s knees and they always will be.
Timeless and tantalizing, shiny “swords” come in all shapes and sizes these days, so my ability to tell the good from the bad has gotten rusty unless I try one on for size myself. That’s why I started buying up as many high-end toys as I could, sorting through them one by one to make myself relevant to lovers again. The days of owning only silicone, latex or rubber devices went out of style with Jnco Jeans. Apparently, you need at least one stainless-steel, titanium or gold dildo to be considered worthy of the booty. I got the Farringdon for that reason alone, because I wanted to be taken seriously but I didn’t want to go broke in the process. It’s a delicate balance, and luckily some manufacturers understand the struggle. So, was I happy with my purchase or did I pay for vanity at my own expense? Well, let me make sure you know what I’m talking about before we go any further.
What Is the Farringdon?
The Farringdon is a high-class pleasure product that’s made by one of Great Britain’s most prestigious sex toy manufacturers – Crowned Jewels Limited. It’s not only the perfect dildo for discerning people on a budget but it’s also ideal for individuals who suffer from allergies or sensitivities to certain types of metal. Made from medical-grade, commercially pure materials and diligently crafted to pinpoint the body’s most delicate pleasure centers with insane accuracy, this little number is set to secure some pretty serious orgasms whether you’re a man, a woman, a couple or a solo artist exploring the boundaries of your sexuality.
The Main Features
Created to be stimulating for a multitude of purposes, the CJL brand’s Farringdon Dildo is made out of solid, medical-grade titanium that’s considered “commercially pure” and therefore safe for all users. Featuring a uniquely curves design with two distinct ends, this rock-hard dong provides double the pleasure while also being appropriate for activities such as p-spot stimulation or prostate milking, g-spot triggering, and even muscle relaxing via external massage. One end has a series of graduated bulbs to enhance pleasure and the other end is polished to a smooth finish for maximum versatility.
Both ends are tapered to make insertion and removal safe and easy, plus the materials are compatible with all lubrication types so you can go to town any way you see fit. Furthermore, the toy itself is available in six different anodized colors that shine with brilliant, nickel-free beauty: Blue, Bronze, Gold, Magenta, Natural Grey and Purple. On top of that, the 18.5 cm long, 3cm wide device is completely waterproof which means it can be taken along for aquatic adventures while you enjoy the lightweight construction of the ergonomic device in your hand.
What Comes in the Box?
Good sex toys don’t always come with a bunch of freebies. It’s actually rare for a manufacturer to throw in things like lube samples, device cleaning supplies and other accessories. I suppose it’s because they assume you already have that stuff, or maybe it’s because they spend the majority of their production capital on creating a high-end product. Either way, you’ll want to get prepared before talking a session with a pleasure product you’re unfamiliar with. As for the Farringdon Titanium Dildo, its box doesn’t include a ton of complimentary incentives but it does contain the following items:
- The toy
- A soft, satin wipe cloth
- A drawstring storage pouch
- A set of care instructions
You don’t get a warranty from the manufacturer, by the way. So, take care of your shit because the maker will only offer you “advice” when you break something.
The Experience
My experience with any sex toy, especially dildos, has a lot to do with the way the device is designed and whether that works with the way I plan to use it. In other words, I can’t compare a cock ring with a butt plug because they’re made for two entirely different things and that wouldn’t be fair. The same basic criteria needs to be used or else everything gets thrown out of proportion and nobody gets a decent orgasm. So, while the Farringdon is considered one of the industry’s most luxurious dildos, it still had to pass my tests. Here’s how it all played out in my bedroom:
The Dimensions
For a handheld, manual dildo, it has a pretty great size that seemed to be useful on several different body types. In my opinion, however, it’s probably best suited for people who are into anal stimulation because of the extremely bulbous end that reminds me of anal beads. The dual ends made it extremely versatile though, which meant I could switch back and forth between activities easily as long as I kept things properly clean.
- The Materials
Metal alloys are almost always smoothed to a gleaming shine, so it was no surprise that Farringdon was made with the same quality as well. The sleek materials made it compatible with every lube in my collection, but I preferred using the water-based or oil-based varieties because of the way they reacted to the toy’s titanium exterior. And it’s not only temperature-responsive but it’s also heavy duty in its overall design which gave the impression of durability and the convenience of easy maintenance.
- The Sensations
The sensations delivered by this curious little device depend solely on how you use it. I warmed mine, I cooled it down, I used both ends, I tried vaginal and anal, I stuck it in myself and inside my partner. Each and every experience was different. My favorite session was right after I ran it under cold water. We used a water-based lube that time and an oil-based lube the time we warmed it instead. Both sessions were amazing and at no point did the materials suffer depletion or damage.
- The Functionality
Crowned Jewels Limited obviously knows a thing or two about making multi-purpose sex toys. This thing is perfect for individuals who want to experiment with different sensations and it’s also great for couples that enjoy creative, versatile stimulation. It isn’t harness compatible though, which was sort of a bummer considering I just bought a new pillow with a hole it in just for dildos. Either way, it made a terrific looking gift for my partner and it’s made to outlast our silicone and latex collection so we weren’t too worried about the harness.
The Ups and Downs
I’ll say it until I’m blue in the face if it gets your attention: There’s no such thing as the perfect product, whether we’re talking about sex toys, automobiles or cell phones. Everything has a flaw, even if the overall design is otherwise amazing. And those flaws aren’t because the manufacturers don’t pay attention to what the masses desire. They exist simply because no single sex toy maker can create something that’s ideal for everybody. What I find pleasurable might be considered disgusting or taboo to someone else. The only way to determine if a device is right for you or not is to consider the pros and cons. Here’s what I think you should know about the Farringdon Titanium Dildo before spending any money on it:
PROS
- Ergonomic size and shape for maxium versatility
- Textured shaft for enhanced pleasure
- Temperature-responsive coating
- Tapered for easier insertion
- Ideal for vaginal and/or oral stimulation
- Fully submersible in water
- Made from hypoallergenic materials
CONS
- No manufacturer’s warranty provided
- Does not come with durable storage
- Not harness compatible
The Takeaway
Precious metal dildos are a new idea that’s coming from an industry that once made only a handful of devices for medical professionals and sick individuals. The taboo on self-love has finally been lifted, so modern manufacturers are coming out with things like the Farringdon Titanium Dildo in response. It’s a high-end, delicately made unisex dong with lots of potential – water sports, temperature play, dual stimulation, etc. And since the device is crafted by one of the industry’s best-known makers, the fact that it doesn’t come with a warranty doesn’t seem to bother many people. It’s sleek, smooth, sophisticated and weight proportionately to the average person’s hand. Best of all, it’s safe for all skin types and exceptionally easy to maintain. Overall, the FTD is a great mid-range sex toy for people who want to play around with temperatures, materials or both without getting hurt.