For me, steel has several distinct sensory qualities that I enjoy:
- Tactile: Steel is a hard, smooth and (initially) cold to touch. Hardness is what first appealed to me about metal sex toys. Depending on the finish, they can be smooth or textured. A polished finish can be easier to clean, but for some items, especially if I’m holding them for any length of time, I prefer some texture.
- Thermal: Steel has a high thermal conductivity and can quickly lose heat or gain heat from the environment, which can make it feel cold or hot to the touch. Pre-heating an insertable steel toy can be good, but takes some care. What feels ok for my hand can be too hot.
- Visual: Steel, in a kink context, can give off vibes ranging from industrial to medical. Either way, it’s intimidating. Steel can be shiny and reflective when polished, giving it a sleek and modern appearance. I often prefer an unpolished or brushed finish. The color of steel can range from silver to gray to black, depending on the type of steel and the manufacturing process. I’ve also had a few items with a colored or chrome finish, which can be fun.
- Auditory: Steel can make a range of sounds, such as a sharp, clicking sound when struck with a hard object. It can also make a dull thud when striking a softer object. Steel insertables can sound quite slurpy when wet because they don’t absorb liquid.
- Olfactory: Steel has a neutral odor, and doesn’t pick up scents. I feel like I can detect a metallic smell, but that may just be my imagination.
Many of these factors are enhanced for me by contrast – think hard, cold steel v soft warm flesh.
