Doc Johnson's Black Magic is the picture of what a traditional vibrator should be: it's moderate in both length and girth, and packs a pretty powerful punch, giving it mass appeal to a wide range of sex toy connoisseurs. While designed for the ladies, I lack the necessary equipment to make good on its intended use, so this one did its duty in the rear entry.

Yes, I know, traditional vibrators have a bad rap that makes most people write them off for anal use, but hear me out! At 7", it would take a bit of work to get this sucker that far up your pucker, and I'd wager if it made it that far, its unfortunately now-incapacitated owner probably intended for it. While it lacks the flared base that has become a de facto requirement for anal tools these days, a good grip leaves me entirely comfortable deploying it to lands unseen. As a man, I'm more squeamish wrapping a metal ring around my cock than getting a wand stuck up my rump!

So, it's full disclosure time: if you intend to use this for anal play, be absolutely, positively sure that you are doing so safely. If you trust your grip and are conscious of its length, I am confident that you'll be left with nothing but good times courtesy of Black Magic.

Like many basic vibrators, the Black Magic is made up entirely of phthalate-free ABS plastic, but with a caveat. The main body of the toy is manufactured with a matte, velvety texture reminiscent of many (and more expensive) luxury toys. This gives the shaft an absolutely superb feel and does away with the cheap look of glossy plastics without putting it in a higher price range. Along with this, you get the standard benefits of plastic: non-porous surface, low expense, and compatibility with silicone-based lubes. The material did not exhibit any peculiar manufacturing odor or taste out of the box and will not hold on to odors when its use is followed by regular cleaning.

The Black Magic has a very slender, smooth design typical of traditional vibrators, and comes to a rounded tip at its head. At 7", it has a moderate amount of length and should be suitable for both beginners and more advanced users, as well as those purchasing the toy for anal use. Though its appearance is more sultry than flashy, it's hard to pass this off as anything but a sex toy. That said, if I had to be caught red-handed with one, the Black Magic would be near the top of my list.

One thing that I particularly liked about the design of the Black Magic is that there is no metal exposed on the exterior at all, and very little exposed even on the inside. Many inexpensive traditional vibrators use a metal screw to attach the vibration speed adjustment knob, which can create a nasty rust problem if exposed to water for any significant period of time. Doc Johnson has done an excellent job of making a truly water-proof toy that's great in any type of wet situation.

Doc Johnson has designed the Black Magic to be a multi-speed vibrator with, as far as I can tell, an infinite number of speeds. Granted, those speeds vary between a low rumble and a moderate shimmy, but it's still nice not to have to settle for pre-selected settings. The vibration speed is adjusted using about the last centimeter of the bottom cap, which twists independent of the rest of the piece. The cap has numerous ridges to help the user grip a little better if the base happens to be slippery. The knob has a tight, quality feel to it, and I have yet to run into any issues with the base twisting off while adjusting the speed.

The toy is relatively quiet at all speed levels and very quiet once inserted. While the intensity of the vibrations isn't particularly stunning, the dual AA batteries give it a good bit of grunt without running out of juice before the game's over.

One of the many benefits of plastic is that it is easy to care for. While the Black Magic is constructed to be waterproof, like most vibrators, it cannot be boiled for complete sterilization like you may a silicone dildo. Fortunately, its non-porous surface makes a simple hot water and soap bath a safe alternative to keeping your toy clean. Alternatively, the smooth texture is easy to wipe down with alcohol or any other body-safe, antibacterial solution of your choice. The toy dries quickly and easily and has not made a habit of clinging to dust, fuzz, or other nasties during storage.

The Black Magic comes in an 8-inch plastic box, transparent and semi-transparent throughout, save for the ornate pink and purple graphics adorning the product. On the sides, you'll find the standard warnings, labels, and descriptions. While not particularly sturdy, the package holds the product in place securely and definitely has a flashy allure.