Sportsheets calls this a body tickler, though feather duster is what leaps to my mind whenever I look at it. When I started searching for ticklers this one wasn't on my radar, but other customers recommended it and I couldn't resist the iridescent purple color.

It's a beautiful, staggered bundle of deep purple, blue-black and green-black feathers in varying lengths. The longest is about 6", though angle it a certain way and you can achieve closer to 10" of coverage. Instead of a handle the feathers dangle from a loop-strap a little over 5" in length. It is easy and comfortable to dangle the tickler from the fingers, though for more control you can hold it by the 1" plastic cap the feathers are sewn onto.

The first impression is soft, soft, soft! The attached cardboard tag fails to disclose what the feathers are made from, so I contacted Sportsheets and learned that they are rooster feathers. If being vegan is important to you, you'll want to skip this toy. However in my experience, acrylics and other artificial reproductions just aren't as silky as the real thing, especially in this price range.

If rooster feathers don't offend, then enjoy a fine product made in the USA. This little feather duster feels absolutely divine against the skin. You can trail the edges of the feathers on your partner, or twirl them into his or her skin. You can even whip them, though the sting level is zero and I lost a few of the short purple feathers when I tried it.

This toy works well all by itself. Lube, massage oils or edible lotions are unnecessary and I would discourage their use with the Pleasure Feather. Since the feathers are real you can clean them with soap and water, however expect to lose some of the dye/color in the process. Best course of action: keep those tail feathers clean! Despite a lack of packaging (my Pleasure Feather was loose in the shipping box), on arrival it was unsoiled and scent-free. It can stay that way with a little TLC.

Sportsheets offers some play tips on the inside of the cardboard tag, but they're rather obvious - ("Naughty Housekeeper" with a feather duster? How original...). I will give them kudos for changing the front picture from a naked backside to a less scandalous man and woman from the collar bones up. It's a tasteful toy, it deserves tasteful presentation.

While you can technically use this toy on yourself, my husband and I agree it's much nicer when someone else uses it on you. The sensation doesn't have to be ticklish - a simple adjustment to your hold can make it feel like an angelic caress or rubbing against a fur-skin rug - and it's safe to use all over (externally). It works nicely on the common erogenous zones and other less frequented areas: feet, back, ribs, knees, ears, etc.

I store mine in a large drawer (to keep the dust away), but I would not be opposed to leaving it hanging from a bedpost. It's pretty and as far as taboos go, it's at the vanilla end of the scale.

Based on experience, the Pleasure Feather is a solid value for the price. Ours is approaching its one year anniversary and it looks brand new. It is as soft and silky as ever, and I have no worries about it lasting another year or more. It is my husband's preferred accessory for caressing (over the Fluffer Tickler and Rabbit fur mitt) whether he's on the giving or receiving end. I don't regret the money I spent on this at all. In fact, I think I'm going to add its cousin, the Starburst Fantasy Feather to my next order.