A few months ago, Peepshow Toys spoiled me with a kinky care package. Among the goodies were two spike wheels: the Doc Johnson Kink Spike Wheel and the XR Brands Lil Devil Sensation Pinwheel.

what the fuck are these things?

Spike wheels (also known as “Wartenberg wheels” or “pinwheels”) are one of my favorite foreplay tools. The original Wartenberg wheel was a medical device designed to test nerve sensitivity.

Spike wheels look painful, but they’re not! They’re actually just light pressure toys. They usually feel like a cross between fingernails and firmly pressed fingertips. Spike wheels are best used slowly, which makes them a great choice if you’re wanting to take your time and really enjoy all your skin has to offer.

These sensory toys can be used anywhere external. I like to vary what body parts I target. First I’ll wheel over somewhere sexy and sensitive: breasts, inner thighs, throat, balls, stomach, or the soles of their feet. After and between, I’ll use the wheel somewhere less-traveled, like the inside of their elbow or down their calves. If the scene is sadomasochistic, I’ll roll it on or between their toes, on their labia, across their asshole, etc.

It’s fun to discover where someone’s the most sensitive. The answer is always changing, and it’s often not a place typically considered sexual.

kink spike solid metal pinwheel wheel by doc johnson review

Despite appearances, the Kink Spike Pinwheel by Doc Johnson is actually a gentler wheel than the Lil Devil.

According to the marketing, the weighty Kink Spike Pinwheel is made of solid “metal and zinc.” It has a black chrome finish that I find really gorgeous, and it gleams whenever the light catches it. Because it’s metal, the handle – which has some grippable ridging on the side – can be chilly when you first pick it up.

The Kink Spike Pinwheel has three individual wheels. Having multiple wheels spreads out the toy’s pressure/sensation so it’s not as ticklish. Its little metal probes have blunted tips, which makes them feel light and pitter-pattering.

A downside to this particular spike wheel is that the axel has some extra room, so the wheels frequently tilt/shift to the side. This wobbling is especially noticeable if you press firmly, which I often do. I really wish the construction was tighter.

Like every other metal spike wheel I’ve owned, the Kink Pinwheel has a subtle squeak. It’s a quieter, tinnier squeak than the 50 Shades Darker Adrenaline Pinwheel, but that probably varies. It doesn’t bother me enough to dig the WD-40 out of my toolbox.

Its intimidating appearance and occasional squeaky wheel made it a great prop for medical role play. I like the reach its handle gives me (the whole toy is about 7 inches long) because I can vary my tortures without giving away my next move by shuffling around. I just wish it was more precise; the wiggling wheels don’t suit my ‘mad scientist playing god’ aesthetic.

The Doc Johnson Kink Spike Pinwheel is definitely beginner friendly because the sensation is so diffused and gentle. If you’re curious about sensation play, it’s a good pick, especially if you don’t like pain or traditional tickling. If you already own a spike wheel, unless you’re specifically after a less pokey version, there’s nothing this wheel offers that warrants a splurge.

Grab it from Peepshow Toys for around $22 USD.

master series lil devil sensation pinwheel by xr brands review

Looking at pictures of the XR Brands Lil Devil Pinwheel online, I cooed about how tiny and cute it was. In person, I’ve learned that this wheel is a stabby little bastard.

Weighing less than a pencil and just over 3 inches long, the Lil Devil is officially the second smallest sex toy in my collection. (The Screaming O Vooom is half an inch shorter.) It’s made of black ABS plastic, which is rigid and non-porous. While the listing notes that it’s “not meant to puncture skin,” if it does and you plan on playing with others, you can sanitize it with a 10% bleach solution.

Its plastic construction allows the Lil Devil to be sold at a budget-friendly $6 USD. This also means it’s not as high quality as other wheels. In fact, most of its razor-pointed prongs have excess plastic from the manufacturing process.

When I say “razor-pointed,” I mean it. This thing is very pokey. If you’re not into pain, you’re going to have to be very light-handed. Because the Lil Devil Pinwheel wants a blood sacrifice. Luckily the wheel is very snug on its axel, so there’s almost no wobble in use. You have full control of where its little spikes roll.

The Lil Devil’s short, flat handle means you’re gripping it with fingertips and only have as much range as you yourself can reach.

This mean little son of a bitch is perfect for mild sadomasochism on the go. I wouldn’t toss it loose into my bag – it’s sturdy, but I imagine the wheel would snap off from being jostled around in luggage – but it’s so tiny it can fit in my glasses case.

The Lil Devil Pinwheel is totally silent and teeny tiny, so (with prior consent) you can easily sneak it into a scene for a pinchy surprise. Even if you already have a metal pinwheel, I think it’s worth grabbing for that novelty alone. If you’re new to this kind of sensory play, the Lil Devil isn’t an ideal start, unless you enjoy love bites and light scratching.

If you’re ever $6 short of hitting the $70 minimum for free shipping at Peepshow Toys, give this baby a whirl. Just be gentle!

Portions of this review originally appeared in 5 Sexy Things You Can Do With a Tied Up Partner. 

Thank you, Peepshow, for sending me these pinwheels for article research and an honest review.

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