The Vibeology line of sex toys is a collaboration between two of my amazing affiliate companies, Tantus and SheVibe. The Bound, released in 2014, is the first (and currently the only) toy to be released by the creative duo.
Description
As the name implies, the Bound resembles a penis wrapped tightly in ropes. It features a very pronounced head in addition to lots of veins, wrinkles, and bulges. It’s highly textured, very aesthetically pleasing, and truly unlike any other sex toy that I have ever seen!
Manufactured by Tantus, the Bound is a high quality dildo made from 100% body-safe silicone. It’s a very realistically sized toy, measuring 6.25″ long with a 1.5″ diameter, and is available in three semi-natural colors (cream, cocoa, and black). The silicone itself is very matte, doesn’t attract much dust or hair, and gives the toy a slight amount of flex and squish. If not lubricated sufficiently, it can also create a lot of drag — a problem that is compounded by the added texture.
My Vibeology Bound arrived in Tantus’ new standard packaging: a simple and gender-neutral cardboard box, showcasing the product inside a plastic clamshell interior.
Experience
I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t instantly want this toy simply because of its appearance. I’m a huge fan of erotic art, especially if it involves bondage or other kinks. The Bound goes beyond just being a beautifully crafted dildo; it is a silicone sculpture with a very practical & pleasurable purpose.
By all accounts, the Bound seemed like an intriguing toy. I’m a thruster, and it is definitely a toy that is made to be thrust; the bulges and rope-like texture provide lots of internal stimulation. Unfortunately, it was my first experience with a textured toy and despite my enthusiasm & curiosity, it proved to be way too intense for me. Far from being pleasurable, the Bound simply feels abrasive — like it’s scraping the walls of my vaginal canal.
I obviously had no idea what I was getting myself into.
I’ve tried warming up with a larger toy. I’ve tried adding a ridiculous amount of thick cushiony lubricant. I’ve even tried to distract myself with super powerful clitoral vibrations. All that I’ve been able to accomplish is bringing the ‘downright painful’ sensations into the ‘weird and mildly uncomfortable’ range. And to make matters worse, if I’m not absolutely vigilant about lubrication, I experience a slight (but nevertheless annoying) raw sensation after I’m finished.
Although the Bound is obviously not for me, I’m still cautiously curious about other textured toys. On one hand, I appreciate the moderate size and soft material of the Bound, which definitely makes the texture more manageable — even if it’s not enjoyable. On the other hand, the matte silicone is rather rough and makes me wonder if a slicker material (glass or metal) would feel more pleasant.
A note on cleaning: Because of the extremely textured surface, the Bound retains alot of dried lubricant and bodily fluids. Reaching all of the tiny creases and crevices can be very difficult with your standard washing routine. For the most thorough cleaning, Tantus recommends boiling or placing the toy in the dishwasher. I’ve also occasionally used a very soft toothbrush with mild soap & warm water.
Bottom Line
To me, the Bound seems like a ‘love it’ or ‘hate it’ type of toy, depending on your opinion of textured dildos. My negative experience makes me hesitant to suggest it to anyone who is a texture novice — but I also recognize that many individuals will love the intense sensation that it can provide.
Regardless of where you stand on the texture issue, this is a very detailed & well-crafted sex toy, raising the bar for silicone manufacturers everywhere. Although it saddens me that my Bound will rarely get used, I do hope that some day I will have the chance to display its beauty.
Pros: body-safe silicone, absolutely beautiful design, moderate size makes texture more manageable
Cons: very intense texture (subjective/can be painful), very difficult to clean completely
If you would like to purchase the Bound, please consider ordering from my affiliates: Tantus, Peepshow Toys, or SheVibe.