The Icicles No. 24 from Pipedream is a textured glass dildo with a wide variety of uses for the creative minded. It works well for external stimulation from a variety of angles, provides at least two distinct experiences when used vaginally, and also shines as a body massager. No. 24 is also safe for anal use, but between the girth and the texture, that would require a fairly advanced user.

With a hefty girth and modest length, the No. 24 requires some care during insertion, but unlike longer glass toys, it's unlikely to bruise the cervix due to an overenthusiastic thrust. Those new to texture might want to start with a thinner piece, such as the Icicles No. 30, as will those who are new to insertion, but a wide range of users will find one or more uses for this lovely piece.

Borosilicate glass is a fantastic material for sex toys, as it's non-porous, easy to sterilize, odorless, and free of potentially dangerous chemicals. It can be chilled in a glass of icewater prior to playtime for a thrilling sensation, or warmed for a more soothing experience. Glass also requires very little lubrication, and is compatible with all types of lubes and massage oils.

The solid material makes a firm massage possible, inside and out, and fans of texture will rejoice at the variety of surfaces the No. 24 provides. Those who dislike texture should pass, as all sides of the No. 24 feature either bumps or ridges.

Many theories have been put forth as to the shape of the Icicles No. 24, which appears to be an artistic representation of an octopus arm. Upon closer examination, it's not a particularly accurate octopus arm, and it's certainly not a tentacle. In fact, the shape is suspiciously similar to that of a human vagina. The artist responsible deserves to be commended, as the intriguing design is both visually fun and uniquely functional.

While the No. 24 appears deceptively small in hand, the inch and a half diameter is quite filling thanks to the shape -- it's wider than it is thick -- and while the four inches or so of insertable length seem modest, it proves surprisingly adequate in use.

The No. 24 is a toy that would not look out of place on a desk or dresser, as it looks more like a marine inspired paperweight than a sex toy, and with a well padded storage bag, it would make a fairly discreet traveling companion. It can even be called a muscle massager with complete honesty, because it's quite up to that task.

There are a wide variety of ways to effectively use the Icicles No. 24, and as for which is most satisfying, that will no doubt depend on the individual. Herein follows my own personal recommendations, your mileage may of course vary.

For clitoral stimulation, the toy offers multiple surfaces -- the tiny curved tail, the flattish side with the veining, the nubs on the underside, or the smooth groove down the center of the underside all provide completely different sensations. The smooth groove is actually most unique, as it can be used to keep the textured bits away from the clitoris entirely, while massaging the labia, or the inside of the labia, with the textured nubs. Like with any glass toy used externally, the amount of pressure is entirely in the hands of the user, and don't count out the fun of temperature play.

Internally, the toy provides a number of options as well. Inserted nubs-side-up, and tilted, the tip can be aimed at the g-spot -- personal anatomy depending -- for direct pressure with minimal thrusting or rocking. It can also be thrust slowly in this position without aiming for the g-spot, the enjoyment of which will be highly dependent on a user's tolerance for texture. It can also be turned sideways for slow thrusting, which aims the texture at unexpected places, and might prove briefly interesting for texture lovers.

The best way the No. 24 works vaginally, in my opinion, is veined side up. One can use slow, gentle thrusts in that position, but that's a little less comfortable than nubs-side-up. But wait! Don't give up yet! If inserted fully in that position, the curve in the body of the toy nestles up against the g-spot while the tail snuggles up either just beneath or -- if one is really lucky -- just over the clitoris. This is the point where, if one's anatomy is compatible with the toy, that the toy improves tenfold. Hands free rocking of the hips moves the texture ever so slightly against the g-spot, as well as the sensitive vaginal opening, creating waves of feeling that far exceed what gentle thrusting could accomplish. The tail, in the meantime, gently massages whichever part of the clitoris it can reach.

The way the No. 24 fits is rather genius, and it stays in place surprisingly well in that position, even if the user roles on her side to more comfortably read a good bit of erotica. It feels like a textured and slightly smaller version of the fabled Jollies Firm, a toy that challenged users with its size and shape, and after exacting its toll during the uncomfortable insertion process, delivered orgasms that verged on hallucinogenic. Delightful, but not always convenient. As a fan of the Jollies, I must say I heartily approve of No. 24's similar abilities. The texture makes up for the smaller size as far as sensation goes, while the smaller size makes insertion much less of a challenge.

If you want to add vibrations to the mix, I strongly recommend using something soft and flexible. I found the Jimmyjane Form 3 ideal, as the tongue could slip right in beside the curly tail without either damaging it or dislodging it. The Fun Factory Fly did an adequate job as well. Just don't use a hard metal, glass, or plastic vibe against or close to a glass piece -- the unholy clatter will wake the neighbors, and the glass could get scratched.

I did not find the No. 24 to be particularly talented at transmitting any vibrations, but I also found that unnecessary, given the level of sensation it brought to the table already.

Another fun variation on the insert-it-and-leave-it method is to first insert a small silicone plug anally, which will make insertion of the No. 24 more of a challenge, but pay off by holding it even more firmly against the g-spot. It's not wise to use a metal or glass butt plug in combination with a glass vaginal toy, so silicone is best, or even jelly if you must, and perhaps a smaller size is wise as well. Something from the Beginner Anal Kit would make an excellent choice -- I found the pink one to work perfectly with the No. 24.

However you choose to use the No. 24, I recommend giving it more than one chance to win your love. The human body is not a static thing, and I learned long ago that with textured glass pieces, what feels fantastic one day might prove uncomfortable or even painful a few days later, and vice versa. Use the No. 24 only when you crave its texture, and leave it in the toybox when the mood's not right.

Glass toys can be sterilized in the top rack of the dishwasher, sans detergent; by boiling; or with a rinse in a ten percent bleach solution. For everyday cleaning, they can be washed in hot soapy water, with toy cleaner, or with a rubbing alcohol wipe down. Be sure to rinse any chemicals thoroughly before using the toy on your valuable bits. It's also a good idea to rinse or wipe all toys immediately before use, lest any lint or dust be hiding amid the texture. With glass toys, it's helpful to line the sink with a towel, because it's better to make extra laundry than for a slippery toy to crash into the porcelain, breaking either the toy, or possibly the sink, in the process.

As far as storage, the No. 24 comes with a fairly nice box, if you can spare the room. If not, a padded pouch or carefully folded towel can protect it from clanking against other toys. Or, seeing as it's a fairly pretty and reasonably discreet piece of glass, it could even live on a shelf as a display piece.

The packaging for the Icicles line is semi-discreet, in that the toys are pictured on the packaging, and the toy can be viewed through a window, but the packaging is gloriously free of naked ladies pouting at the camera. The toy is protected by styrofoam that conforms to the individual toy, and a creative person with a nice piece of fabric could made good use of it for safe storage.

For gifting, the presentation is appropriate for any occasion in which a sex toy makes an appropriate gift, but only the most naive relatives at Aunt Ruth's Christmas Eve party will fail to decipher the phrase "hand blown glass massager" and since when does Cousin Amy exercise discretion, especially after her second egg nog.

When I first saw the No. 24, which was among the first of the Icicles line released, I thought it looked temptingly cute, but ultimately useless. Sure, it probably would feel great externally, but I had plenty of glass that felt great externally, so I chose the No. 17 instead. I don't wish to speak ill of the No. 17, which is a fantastic toy, but I chose wrong. The No. 24 is far more than an intriguingly textured external stimulator, it's a unique experience not to be missed by anyone who enjoys textured glass.