Review: Arcwave Voy

Note from Kate: I asked my spouse to review the new Arcwave Voy because I was super curious about it. Enjoy!


The Arcwave Voy is the second toy in the relatively new premium Arcwave line of sex toys designed for “modern masculinity,” whatever that means. In less-weirdly-gendered reality, the toys from this We-Vibe sub-brand are designed to look elegant, feel sophisticated, and come in any color you want, so long as it’s black. The Voy is a space-age stroker for penises that follows up their innovative pressure wave toy for dicks, the Ion.

The Voy is a 4.5 inch long black cylindrical stroker which, much like the Fleshlight Quickshot line, is designed to be open on both ends when uncapped. When I first unboxed the toy, I was confused as to why there wasn’t a charger included, since its marketing promises an advanced feature called the TAS (tightness adjustment system) that I assumed worked via motorized suction. Plus, there’s a little circular Arcwave logo on the toy’s case that looks a lot like a power button. But TAS is actually much simpler than that. Twisting a knurled ring on the outside of the toy manually tightens and loosens the stroker; there a total of 8 different diameters to choose from. As it moves between settings, there’s a mechanical click and audible thunk, and the ridges readjust in a triangular shape to offer more stimulation to sensitive spots like the frenulum.

Other than the ability to manually tighten and loosen the walls of the toy during play, the other thing that sets the Voy apart from less expensive toys in the same category is its materials. The Voy’s sleeve is made from a glossy black body-safe “CleanTech” silicone that won’t degrade or hold onto bacteria like the TPR more commonly used in these types of toys, giving the Voy a huge leg up on cheaper strokers in terms of body-safety. It’s also nicely textured with geometric ribs, and fully waterproof. The plastic case and lids feel solid and screw together satisfyingly.

Using the Voy is simple. Unscrew both lids and set them aside, apply ample water-based lube (there’s a sample included) to both your penis and the sleeve, slip inside, and start strokin’. I started on the loosest setting and tightened as my arousal and erection built. The 8 different settings reminded me of different sensations:

1. Fleshlight Quickshot Vantage. Tight-ish but still very easy to penetrate.
2. An already aroused vagina. (Remember, the vagina usually expands during arousal in a process called tenting, to allow it to accommodate penetration.)
3. A vagina that’s tightened as if its owner is about to have an orgasm. This is my favorite setting to come inside, for hopefully obvious reasons.
4. The death grip: my tightest possible fist while masturbating. Useful when I’ve had one too many (drinks or orgasms) and need that extra stimulation to push me over the edge.
5. An unfeeling, robotic milking machine (I imagine) that has no purpose other than squeezing the cum out of me as efficiently as possible.
6-8. Vice grip. Oww. Too tight. Maybe good for CBT but not strictly pleasurable anymore.

Dick widths and hole tightness preferences vary widely, so I’ll note for science (not to brag) that my girth while erect is 46 mm and the Voy’s “insertion area” is 33 mm unstretched. Do with that information what you will.

The biggest issue I had with the Voy is its industrial design. The same quality materials that I praised do have some subtle flaws. The toy is heavier than its competitors due to its clever adjustable mechanism, which can make long sessions or use with chronic pain tiring. Its smooth finish can be hard to keep hold of with lubey hands. And the threaded ends mean that if you grip the toy tightly in the throes of pleasure, you might hurt your hand on some sharp edges. I also miss the translucency of the Quickshot, which is much more friendly than the Voy’s opaque black silicone for voyeurs.

But these are minor complaints. Overall, the Voy is the nicest manual stroker I’ve ever had the pleasure of being inside, and it looks completely innocuous on a nightstand or in a suitcase. Having a no-batteries-required, shower-ready, portable hole with adjustable tightness is the stuff of sexy science fiction, and I’m delighted to be able to own and fuck one on the regular.

If you want to buy one stroker that can service your dick or a partner’s through an entire session, travel easily, and last a long time, the Arcwave Voy might be for you. But if you’re just taking your first few strokes, start with a cheaper toy to make sure you like strokers before buying this one. The journey, or voyage, will be worth it.

 

This toy was sent to us free of charge for editorial consideration.

Behind the Seams: Extra-Long Jam-Packed Edition

September 28, 2021

My mom’s birthday was just days after my book’s release day, and I had to travel to New York to do the launch event, so I wanted to take her out for a special one-on-one meal before I left to make it up to her.

We went to Mezes, a fabulous restaurant in Toronto’s Greektown area. My family and I lived in Greektown for about 25 years, so Greek food was a big part of my childhood and always feels nostalgic to me. Chicken souvlaki skewers with tzatziki, a Greek salad heaped high with feta, and some roasted potatoes = possibly the ideal meal. (I’m clutching my leftovers in a to-go box in one of these photos – can’t let any of it go to waste!)

My mom has a fun, girly sense of style so I usually like to dress cute when I hang out with her. She looked cute as hell too!

What I’m wearing:

• Pink cashmere sweater – J. Crew
• Black T-shirt underneath (unseen)
• Black bandage skirt – Suzy Shier
• Black leggings – H&M
• Pink metallic cowboy boots – Jeffrey Campbell
• Raspberry-pink crossbody bag – Coach
• Black KN95 mask (these have become my absolute faves for my everyday pandemic needs; a good nose wire is crucial for someone with a formidable schnoz like mine)


October 3, 2021

Matt picked this outfit for me for a date night involving incredible omakase sushi followed by a stand-up comedy show at the Beauty Bar. A friend-of-a-friend was performing and we wanted to support them.

It’s a really wild venue – like a dive bar decorated by rockabilly drag queens. But the bartenders were friendly, the atmosphere was good, and the show was delightful.

Matt and I were wearing matching outfits, and we sat in the front row as we often do, so pretty much every comedian on the bill made a joke or two about our matchy-matchy vibes. The hazards of sitting in the front row, am I right?! (I’m kidding – it was all in good fun.)

What I’m wearing:

• Orange skater dress – American Apparel, vintage via eBay
• Black cashmere cardigan – the Gap
• Black leggings – H&M
• Black leather harness boots – Frye
• Key to Matt’s chastity cage on a chain
• Raspberry-pink crossbody bag – Coach


October 12, 2021

This was what I wore on my book‘s release day! I spent most of the day frantically posting things about it on social media, answering questions about it, etc. and also recorded an episode of the Bed Post podcast with the inimitable Erin Pim.

The actual book launch party wasn’t until the following day, so I had RSVPed “yes” to a party being thrown by the sex toy brand Womanizer at the Jimmy, a beautiful rooftop bar. The company was celebrating its seventh birthday by inviting a bunch of sex media VIPs to mingle over cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. I get invited to this type of event semi-regularly but often have to decline because of geography (i.e. not always being in NYC or LA) or health (i.e. being chronically ill and sleepy as fuck), so it was fun to actually get to go to one!

At the party, Matt and I sipped martinis and chatted with several New York media people. I had a copy of my book in my bag and Matt kept finding excuses to show it to people and brag about me 🥰

The brand very generously sent us home with (among other things) an Arcwave Ion, which Matt had been dying to try. If you’re curious and want a preview of what my eventual review will say, listen to the latest Dildorks Patreon bonus episode!

What I’m wearing:

• Green velvet dress – H&M
• Black cashmere cardigan – the Gap
• Black leggings – H&M
• Key to Matt’s chastity cage on a chain
• Coach Station crossbody bag – vintage on eBay many moons ago


October 13, 2021

In pondering what I might want to wear to my book launch party, I scoured online stores for dresses in the colors of the book cover, black and gold… but eventually I remembered that I already had a dress in those colors! This beaut was a gift from my cousin and his girlfriend a couple Christmases ago and it was perfect for the occasion: classy, sparkly, and pretty.

The launch itself was soooo much fun! I will eventually write a whole post about it once I get the photos back from our photographer that evening, Ashe. I read some passages aloud from the book, did some kinky demos with Matt and Bex, and sold + signed copies afterward. There were tons of fascinating, lovely people there, all of whom I was so honored had come to my little event. Thanks so much to Matt, Bex, Ashe, and the KGB Bar for helping me put the whole thing together!

Also, doesn’t Matt look stunning?! Navy velvet is so perf on them.

What I’m wearing:

• Black & gold dress – gift
• Black tights – Hue
• Black leather harness boots – Frye
• Sparkly red heart necklace – Tarina Tarantino (at one point during the evening this was removed from my neck so Matt could use it as a pendulum for our hypnosis demo – it’s a multi-use item!)


October 16, 2021

October is “Locktober” in the chastity community – many chastity kinksters get locked up for the entire month (with breaks as needed for hygiene and maintenance etc.), often also blogging/posting about their experiences. This year was Matt and I’s second time doing it. It wasn’t always easy, particularly since dominance requires more energy from me than I generally have these days, and I was dealing with work stress (i.e. my book launch) on top of some health issues, so I wasn’t able to be as responsible and focused a dominant as I would have liked. But it was still a fun opportunity to try new things, gain confidence in domination, and assign cute tasks to my partner that make us both happy.

Some of those tasks were related to financial domination, i.e. consensually “forcing” them to buy me things. One night, when they had given me the green light for findom, I gave them a slow, teasing handjob to almost the point of orgasm and then informed them that they’d have to buy me this bag if they wanted to be allowed to come. (I’d had my eye on it for quite a while…) Naturally, they succumbed, so now, the bag is mine! *maniacal domme laughter*

I wore this out to Rocco’s Steakhouse for dinner. Their service is always impeccable and their food is A+. Would recommend.

What I’m wearing:

• Red dress – Winners years ago
• Black leather jacket – Danier Leather
• Black leather harness boots – Frye
• Pink chevron-stitched Coach Rogue bag – vintage via eBay, a gift from my love (the all-black version is also gorg)


October 17, 2021

My partner and I have had many, many, many conversations about gender – which makes sense, given that they’re nonbinary, we’re both bisexual, and I write about sex/kink/love/gender issues for a living. We were recently discussing our gender expressions and whether we feel like they fully reflect our gender identities, and I said that I’m comfy presenting as a mega-femme like 95% of the time but there is another 5% of the time when I crave dressing like a dirtbag teenage boy, basically. Matt told me that they would still find me attractive AF if I leaned more into that side of my style, and while I knew that, it was still good to hear.

This was my first time wearing a new pair of jeans I’d just bought at Madewell. It was an experiment in boyishness for an outing to a casual local omakase place. I think the experiment was very successful!

What I’m wearing:

• Dark blue T-shirt – Forever 21
• Tapered vintage-wash high-rise jeans – Madewell
• Black leather harness boots – Frye
• Coach Station crossbody bag – vintage on eBay
• Key to Matt’s chastity cage on a chain
• “101 Kinky Things” snapback hat – custom-made on Printful.com


October 24, 2021

Every so often, when I’m in New York, I like to check out the Museum of Sex to see what they’re up to. They were recently running a Betty Dodson exhibit, and Betty is a legend in the realm of sex-positive feminism, so I knew I had to check it out.

Matt and I went together and spent a few hours perusing the entire exhibit as well as the others on offer. We saw so many things: vulva paintings, robots fucking, up-close masturbation videos, cunnilingus sketches, a Whack-a-Mole-esque game involving jerking off dildos in a fake bathroom stall, and lots more. Should you ever find yourself in New York, I would recommend putting the Museum of Sex on your itinerary, if just because the sex shop in their lobby is as well-curated as the museum itself!

What I’m wearing:

• Purple “The Morning After” T-shirt – Threadless (I am normally somewhat squicked by both vomit and clowns but for some reason this shirt fills me with glee)
• High-rise jeans – Madewell
• Black leather jacket – Danier Leather
• Black leather harness boots – Frye
• Coach Station crossbody bag – vintage on eBay
• Key to Matt’s chastity cage on a chain
• Apple Watch on a rainbow striped band


October 29, 2021

I was feeling truly uninspired when trying to come up with a Halloween costume (I mean, I’m in my late 20s during a pandemic, so maybe that’s par for the course). But I had recently re-watched The Notorious Bettie Page, a perennially inspiring biopic of the late great pinup model, and had felt (as I always do when I watch that movie) a pang of desire to cut my hair into her signature style. I just don’t have the energy to iron my bangs pin-straight on a daily basis, though, so I figured it made more sense to dress as her for Halloween.

Bettie doesn’t really have a signature outfit, per se – her most famous photos show her in everything from lingerie to bikinis to fetishwear to leopard-print bodysuits. So I decided to keep it classic and wear the type of sexy black dress she would’ve worn, paired with some period-appropriate heels and, of course, this terrific wig. I don’t know if anyone really knew who I was at the house party we went to, but whatever, I felt and looked cute as hell!

What I’m wearing:

Bettie Page wig – a brand called Difei on Amazon (it came with a wig cap and a pair of false lashes!)
Black wiggle dress – Grace Karin (the same brand that made my wedding dress, incidentally)
Black mary-jane pumps – J. Adams (surprisingly comfortable)