Through and through, Doc Johnson's The Big End is designed to be used for anal stimulation. The toy is very straightforward and is well designed to stay in place once inserted. This toy can be used to warm yourself up for larger, more girthy toys, especially if you work the widest point in and out for a little while. While I have not been able to ride this toy or otherwise insert it hands-free, the flexible base is excellent for gripping and gently pressing the toy in.

Whether for simply warming up for a few minutes and having it inserted for several hours, this is a fantastic (big) little toy. As one might expect from a toy of this size, working a couple of fingers in and out or using a more slender toy with a good base prior to use will help prepare you for taking the thick end of the bulb with maximum pleasure and minimal discomfort. From my experience: once the toy is in, it stays put until pulled out with a little effort. Extended play sessions and wearing this toy around are absolutely a possibility for the average user.

The Big End is made of Doc Johnson's own premium platinum-cured 100% silicone. The material is hypo-allergenic and free of any phthalates. As for the feel of this toy in one's hands, it is relatively firm yet flexible in most areas. The most flexible areas of this toy are without a doubt the tip, the base, and the neck. Out of the packaging, there was no odor that I could detect. On subsequent uses, the only odor is a faint lube-like smell that itself wears off after a little while. For those who are concerned of the origin of their sex toys, you will be happy to know that The Big End is packaged advertising that it is "proudly made in America". Though, despite its packaging saying so several times, the toy is not remarkably "life-like". Most users would not expect a toy such as this to be extremely close to life, so I have a hard time holding this fact against it as the texture is still very pleasant and the material is of fantastic quality.

In my opinion, the firmness of this toy is just about perfect for a plug of its size. The plug is easy enough to insert for anyone at least somewhat experienced in anal play, and is not uncomfortable once inside even when walking about or sitting down / reclining. The material and texture of the toy also retains lube pretty well for extended wear; I've been plugged by this toy for about three hours while relaxing in my house and had no discomfort finally pulling the plug from my ass once I was done.

The design of this toy is classic: the tried and true tapered length allows for relatively easy insertion and on-the-spot anal stretching when taken slowly with slight gentle thrusts and proper lubrication. The neck of the toy is long enough for your sphincter to tighten around to really allow you to have an awesome 'full' sensation without having to worry about the plug slipping out when you're on the move. The base was just squishy enough to be 100% comfortable for extended wear, and I did not experience any "pokey" or otherwise bothersome sensation from the base at any time. Though your mileage may differ, The Big End is wonderful for me when I would like something in me for a considerable amount of time.

As for the girth of this toy, my personal scale places it pretty squarely in the "intermediate" range. The widest point measures in at 5.5" circumference, which is a little bit thicker than your average cock. The neck of this toy is considerably thinner than the widest point, measuring 0.75" in diameter in comparison to the girthy 1.75" bulge before the neck. The difference in diameter definitely leaves you feeling filled up and properly 'plugged'.

If you are looking to just get into anal play, I would not recommend this toy unless you are especially daring. I can see the widest point of this toy being potentially painful to those who are too nervous about anal play or not properly prepared for its girth. However, if you are a bit more experienced, I would say this toy is a must-have. Its toy type and shape is a staple in anyone's toy box, and there is ample reason for that.

For its prescribed use, this is really an outstanding toy. As previously stated, the overall shape and feel of this toy lends itself to being remarkably comfortable for extended use. The toy can be worn under clothes and everyone would be none the wiser, provided you don't make any pleasured giveaways. For male-bodied folk, p-spotting can be achieved with a little angling work and perhaps some gentle thrusting. While taking the full length may be a bit intimidating at first, the feeling of satisfaction once the toy is completely inside of you is well worth the effort.

I had high hopes for a toy I could keep in for hours while I go about my usual business around the house, and The Big End was certainly not one to disappoint. While out of my own preference I would not wear this toy out on the town, I imagine it could easily be used for such if you're a bit more daring than myself. The plug does take a bit of effort to remove, and while not painful, I can't imagine it unintentionally slipping out for most users. The base comfortably nestles between the cheeks and is not noticeable unless one is fully nude. Overall, this toy has performed exceptionally well for me and I imagine I will be using it pretty often from here on out.

As with all silicone toys, the only lubricant you'll be wanting to use is a water-based one. If you've got a higher-quality lubricant, you won't need to apply much since the material works well with lube. As 100% silicone, this toy places at a '10' on EF's safety rating scale. The toy can be fully disinfected, and this can be done several ways. Submerging the toy in boiling water for a few minutes or washing the toy on the top rack of the dishwasher can completely disinfect the toy. For most users, simply washing the toy for a few minutes with warm water and antibacterial soap will do the trick. Since the toy does has some cling to it, I will suggest giving the plug a quick rinse-off prior to insertion to get rid of any lint, dust or hair that may have gotten stuck onto it.

As with all of my toys, I store this individually in a large plastic storage box with the lid closed to minimize the amount of unwanted particle buildup on the silicone's surface. I actually use the original packaging sans branding paper to store this toy. I will discuss this in more depth below.

I was surprised by two factors of this toy's packaging. The first and most immediate was how minimal and no-nonsense the packaging was. It is just a generic fold-flat plastic container with a raised compartment in the plug's shape for the toy. There was one piece of double-sided paper advertising some of the toy's features, and this paper can easily be removed as it is not fastened onto anything.

The second thing I noticed was that this packaging was designed to double as a storage place. It was easily opened and can be just as easily re-sealed. Since the packaging's compartment is rather clearly shaped as a butt plug, I cannot think of any alternative usage for it. It may be suitable for gifting especially due to its easy-opening feature, but it is in no way subtle. If you have no use for the packaging, it is fully recyclable for those who wish to do so.

Although the size of this toy may be too intense for some for this use, I find myself thinking of The Big End as my go-to toy for quick anal pleasure. I do have an unusually high pain tolerance, but I do not find the toy uncomfortable for quick use if some brief stretching with a finger or two is used. As long as I'm properly prepared, this toy is quickly becoming my default for a full sensation for solo sessions. I have already found that using this toy for thrusting the widest point in and out slowly can be a great way to loosen myself up and get my body prepared to take thicker toys such as the Cush O2.