Perfect for silencing your sub without inadvertently inducing TMJ (you know, the achy, creaky-jawed joint disease your dentist warned you about), the Tantus Beginner Ball Gag does exactly what I had hoped: It garbled any attempts I made at forming real words into a delightfully scrambled moan and softened any shrieks of pleasure to a neighbor-friendly, stifled sob.

The gag has a form familiar to most who went through an American childhood. Behold, shoppers: an adult pacifier! Fear not, though, any (undesired)infantile connotations are quickly dashed by the flattened front of the gag and the resolutely adult studded leather straps. Because of the leather and the metal studs, I'd be wary of getting the gag too near large quantities of water, but the silicone itself - once the straps are detached - is more than safe, an easy, dishwasher safe clean.

The size was perfect for my mouth. The flat piece that rests outside of the mouth is slightly smaller than the top of a Hostess Little Debbie cake.The piece that actually fits inside the mouth is about the size of a squished golf ball. All in all, it's just big enough to let me feel that little bit extra filled and to prevent me from making any coherent or ear-splitting noises, but small enough for me to wear it for over an hour with no jaw-ache afterward. The smooth, 100% silicone felt nice in my mouth, and, thankfully, had no smell or taste to speak of. It was soft enough to give a smidge when I bit down, but not so soft as to cause concern over teethmarks or biting through.

The leather straps snap on and off of the mouthpiece, making for easy cleaning and adjustment, and velcro together in the back ensuring an flexible and adjustable fit. The only issues I've had with the toy are likely the result of the lack of instructions that came with the toy. Initially, I had a hard time determining which end of the mouthpiece was up, as the ball itself sits slightly off what would be the horizon line of the mouthpiece. After an unfortunate and undignified amount of drooling that took place after wearing it upside down, I discovered a tiny and discrete logo facing my mouth that could be used to gauge exactly what constituted "right side up."

With this ironed out, things went much smoother. I've struggled slightly to find the right place on my head for the straps to sit so they don't slip, but I find that wearing a ponytail renders that problem obsolete. It's possible that this means the gag could be difficult to wear with shorter hair, but it's also possible this means I have an oddly shaped head.

Overall, the gag worked extremely well. It did what it needed to and I greatly enjoyed the sensation the shape of the gag provided. Additionally, because of the small width of the straps and fun colors available this gag serves more as a fun accessory than a face-dominating mask, ideal for the first-time kinkster and the seasoned pro alike.

The packaging is straightforward to a fault. As with other Tantus toys I've bought, I was frustrated by the lack of included instructions. What it lacked in pedagogy, though, it made up in practicality.

With that in mind, a few instructions I've picked up through trial and error:

- When putting on the gag, make sure that the small logo facing the mouth is facing upwards. Do so, or face a veritable Niagara falls of saliva.
- In securing the velcro straps aim for the crown of the head. This way, if you lie on your back, there's still a tight fit and there's minimum friction on the strap.
- It's especially helpful (at least for those of us with potentially oddly shaped heads) to wear a ponytail if possible.
-After use, remove the leather straps and clean the mouthpiece of the gag as you would any other silicone toy.