I'm really an anal fledgling, but my husband and me have been enjoying this side of my sexuality. I started with very small plugs, and I am slowly working myself up. Enter: the Alumina Pace. It's large enough for me to be a challenge, but small enough to not cause pain on insertion or be uncomfortable during use.

I really think that the Tantus Pace is something that beginners should stay away from. Not only does it have a small base, but it's just not a size that most beginner anal players will find comfortable. Since the Pace is made of aluminum, the material is not forgiving at all. You should be sure that this is a size plug you will enjoy, because it will not yield at all. The widest part of the Pace is 1 1/4", with 4" being insertable. The toy has an overall measurement of 5".

The Alumina Pace has a smooth feel to it, but it is not 100% smooth. There is a slight matte texture to the Pace which is hard to describe. There is nothing on it which will snag your butt though. No uncomfortable seems or jagged pieces. The Pace does unscrew right under the head, but there is an O ring there which I think really helps to prevent discomfort during insertion. I've used this toy plenty of times, and I never feel any discomfort when inserting past this O ring.

This toy has no smell or taste.

I'm very divided when it comes to the design of this toy. I adore the fact that it is aluminum. This is my first metal toy, and I love the texture of the material.

I do NOT love the "anchor" at the end, however. Since this is an anal toy, it is important to have a good base to prevent it slipping into the anus. The anchor on this looks like a small ball, and that ball is actually smaller than the head of the toy. This makes me nervous because I'm always a little afraid the toy will slip in during play. For this reason, I also don't use this plug for putting in covertly and doing chores or going out of the house. This isn't really a toy that I feel comfortable sitting on, because the ball really could slip in rather easily that way. I prefer to use this when I am on all fours or on my side, so there is no extra pressure being placed on the plug directly. I wish that the base was wider and flatter to allow for more diverse types of play.

The head of this toy is great though. I consider myself to be an anal beginner, and I am slowly working my way up in plug sizes. I have a feeling I am going to be using the Pace for a while before I move up. The Tantus Pace is 1 1/4" wide at the widest point, which is a challenge for me to get in, but it feels wonderful once I get it there.

If you had a small storage pouch of some kind, this would be a great toy to travel with. It is sturdy, not likely to get damaged in a suitcase, and won't take up much room either. Just don't go wearing this through airport security.

This is a great toy, with many pluses to it. For one, the head of the toy can unscrew, which makes the tantus pace interchangable with any other toy in the Tantus Alumina line.

The metal also responds very well to cool water or warm water, making this toy great for sensation play. Be warned though, due to the material of the Pace whenever you take it out to play it is very cold to the touch. It warms up to body heat pretty quickly, but if you are one who doesn't like cold temperatures, you might consider running this under warm water for a little while before use to prevent that icy "bite" it has.

One thing about this toy which is unique to me is just the sheer weight of it. It feels heavy to me, and at just under half a pound, you will definitely feel this inside you.

Aluminum is very easy to care for. You can wash this with warm water and soap, and it is also dishwasher safe.

You can use any type of lube with this, silicone or water based are both compatible with aluminum. However, if you choose a water based lube, I highly recommend one of the thicker variety.

The Alumina Pace comes in a lovely box, which I use for storage. It is small, fitted and made from sturdy cardboard to protect your new toy. The inside of the box has two pieces of foam with cutouts, that the Pace just fits into perfectly. There is also a leaflet inside the box telling you how to take care of your toy, and showing you the other toys in the Tantus Alumina line.

The box itself is not terribly discreet because it has a silver outline of what's inside it printed on the front. People are going to know what is in this box.