Over the past couple of years, I've had an exciting journey in the world of sex toys. After originally embracing silicone over rubber and elastomer toys, my tastes in materials expanding. First it was glass, then metal, and I suppose it follows that wood was a natural next. Given that I enjoy larger toys, the Smooth S, or Seduction (according to NobEssence materials) was a perfect fit.

The Seduction arrives in a nice two-tone sturdy box. Sliding of the end of the box, the toy compartment is revealed. This part of the box is lined with a padded microvelvet fabric, with two elastic loops to restrain the toy to keep it from bouncing around during transport. Though I now keep my Seduction on display, the box is quite suitable for storage. If you really like displaying the box, be aware that its outer material will darken with lube exposure; mine has several marks from reaching for the box with lube-moistened fingers.

Removing the Seduction from its protective box, one immediately understands why NobEssence and its fans extensively use the word smooth. The Seduction is utterly smooth, the wood milled perfectly to yield a shape where the only bumps are those that distinguish the shape. This refined form is then coated with NobEssence's trade secret Lubrosity polymer coating which seals the wood and makes the toy slick to the touch. The result is that the luster of the wood grain is permanently locked (and protected) inside the smooth coating. However, the coating is not so thick as to obscure the natural origins of the material. By being consistently thick, the coating settles slightly into the grain of the wood, allowing the surface to visually reveal its true texture. The dimensionality of the wood is preserved, but without any roughness. The grain cannot be felt against skin; it is only apparent by eye, and when dragging the edge of a fingernail over the surface.

The Lubrosity coating does more than just enhance the appearance and feel of the underlying wood, it takes the material from sculpture to sex toy. Waterproof and resilient, the coating allows the wood to play nice in moist environments, and get all cleaned up afterwards. NobEssence advises that the coating is compatible with all varieties of personal lubricants, including oil-, water-, and silicone-based. Following play, the toy should be cleaned with soap and water. Further cleaning may be achieved by wiping with an antimicrobial cleaner, such as rubbing alcohol, bleach, or peroxide. Boiling or dishwashering is not indicated, and could damage the integrity of the coating. Dropping or otherwise impacting the toy may dent the wood and also damage the coating, so be sure to keep it safe (no playing fetch, either).

So how's it feel? Well pretty great. For a little perspective, I like variety; I chose the Seduction because it slots in well, in terms of size, between my Pure Wand and Eleven. The ball-like smaller end of the Seduction is the same size as the larger end (1.5" diameter) of the Pure Wand; its blunt larger end (1.875") is sized just between "smaller" (1.75") and larger (2.0") ends of the Eleven. Now if I desire the Pure Wand or Eleven, but without the cold and heavy (albeit pretty) steel, I have the Seduction, the lightweight wooden ends of which can satisfy either size craving.

Keep in mind that the dramatic curves of the Seduction preclude it from being a thrusting toy. Rather, I find that it excels for applying pressure to sensitive spots. I exclusively have used my Seduction for anal play, enjoying the exact stimulation provided by the smaller ball-like end, and the overall fullness of the larger blunt end. With the large end, I enjoy inserting it the curve, at which point it "locks in" and rests against my prostate, putting a consistent pressure on it and usually making me drip precum. When I'm in the mood for it, I use the smaller end similar to using the Pure Wand, inserting it to the bottom of the curve, then rocking the toy to massage my prostate. The lightweight wood really shines in this use, as it doesn't flip down when you aren't holding it, something the Pure Wand tends to do.