The Silk line of dildos from Tantus is about as simple as dildos can be: they're smooth, have a slight curve, and that's about it. But they're beautiful in their simplicity, and because of the range of colors, the temptation to collect them all is strong. The Silk comes in three sizes: small, medium, and large. Though I also own a small, the main focus of this review will be the medium.

The dildo is made of squishy silicone with a completely smooth surface and an insertable length of about 5 1/2". The base is flared, making this toy safe for both vaginal and anal insertion (of course, disinfect or use a condom before switching between these two areas), and also makes a fair handle when thrusting. This base has a slight bit of suction when wet, but it's really not enough for it to be a hands-free toy. It would seem, both from anecdotes from other users and from photographs, that some of the colors (as well as the Larges) have thinner, weaker bases that are harder to hold and do not allow the toy to stand, so take this into account when choosing. The pink and purple (and the Smalls), however, have much better bases and stand just fine on their own. There is a slight curve to the shaft of the Silk, but since the silicone bends so easily it's unlikely that it will make your experience much different than if the toy was completely straight.

The silicone texture is smooth and produces very little drag, and with just a bit of lube the Silk will glide in and out of your body without any fuss whatsoever. Only use water-based lube with silicone toys, of course. I've also found that, for a non-vibrating toy, a lubed-up or wet Silk dildo is surprisingly good as clitoral stimulation. Sliding the length of the toy along your clitoris can be wonderfully enjoyable. I myself do not use anal toys, but the flared base and modest size of the toy make it good for this purpose as well, though if you're not sure of the size it might be better to try the Silk Small first.

Cleaning can be done with soap and water, toy cleaner, bleaching, boiling for 3 minutes, or putting it in the top rack of your dishwasher. Since silicone is non-porous, the Silk won't hold onto any bacteria and can be safely shared if kept clean. Since silicone tends to attract lint and hair (something the Silk is particularly good at), it's advisable to give it a quick rinse before use.

Despite my glowing review of the Ella, in actuality the Silk Medium is my personal favorite of my non-vibrating toys. The main reason being that, thanks to the squishy construction, this toy doesn't hurt at all. I love squishing this thing in my hands as well, and I've actually used it as a "grab-onto-something" item when overstimulated by a vibrating toy. You could use it as a dildo-shaped stress ball!

One thing I find disappointing is the fact that my favorite color, the blue, apparently is one of the colors with a weaker base than the pink (which I ended up with). My acquisition of the pink actually came before I knew this - the blue was out of stock and only the pink was available, and I was impatient. I was pleased to later find that I'd actually gotten the better-built dildo, so there's some serendipity for you. That said, these are some pretty dildos, with a swirly, shiny, slightly sparkling color that really adds to their visual appeal.

As stated, I also own a Silk Small, which is still a nice toy but doesn't provide the pleasant filling sensation offered by the Medium. Be sure to take your own anatomy into account when choosing a size.

The Silk Medium is still a cherished member of my collection although the Spur now competes with it for the title of "favorite."

Really, the whole Silk line is exquisite. My Small now acts as something of a lube applicator and I recently obtained a Large following a confidence boost, so wish me luck with it!

On that topic, it seems that Tantus has improved the bases on the Large so they stand up just fine now. Many of the colors have also been discontinued, including that beautiful, beautiful blue! Which is a real shame, since I've yet to see another dildo in such a lovely color.