For those who've never used, but are curious about cock rings, starting out can be intimidating--often due to common misconceptions--but also because there are so many types and styles of Cock or Penis rings.
So, who better to come to for advice than Perfect Fit Brand CEO and master inventor, Steve Callow. Below, Steve answers questions and gives clear advice on how to choose and use a cock ring. (An edited version of this interview previously appeared on AskMen.com)
Above: The Perfect Fit Brand™ Speed Shift adjustable cock rings
What are some common misconceptions about cock rings?
1. That cock rings are a gay thing. Fact: The vast majority of reviews by customers of our Penis rings are by straight couples. According to the School of Squirt, cock ring is one of the best male tools to make a female partner squirt.
2. That a cock ring is used only around the shaft. Well, this is probably less popular than wearing the ring around cock/balls at the base of your junk. Most of our rings are designed to fit in this manner, around all your junk.
3. That a stretchy ring is better. Actually a properly fitted ring should not be stretched on you at all, it should not bind, it should simply be snug. This is why we make 14 sizes of rings, so that you can get one that actually is fitted properly without binding.
Above: The Ribbed Ring cock ring
What are some reasons why a man would use a cock ring? How is it beneficial to him? To his partner?
The cock ring has many benefits for a couple. We ran focus group testing a few years back and we learned that the majority of men wear it to achieve a harder erection. Certainly, your partner would notice this. It also a common belief that a cock ring will prolong your orgasm. It generally will make it a more explosive experience.
If your partner enjoys seeing you out and about sporting a nice sized man bulge in your pants, the cock ring is a must-have it will make your junk look bigger always! Others like the way it moves your balls forward and keeps them from retracting into the body – a common thing for some men.
What is a cock ring? Looking to know what it is, how it works, the different styles on the market and what they're good for.
The term “cock ring” is actually a catchall for many styles of rings. First, let’s consider how it is worn on your junk. Depending on the audience, some will consider a cock ring a ring that is worn around the shaft of the penis, at the base. This is a typical way a cock ring is worn for the purposes of helping men with ED and in our company we refer to this as a shaft ring.
The other common way, and the way cock rings are usually worn recreationally (meaning for fun not to treat ED), is around the base of the penis and under the scrotum. We refer to this as a “cock ring” The cock ring essentially allows blood to flow in through the arteries which are deeper inside the penis, but restricts the exit blood flow on the veins on the surface of the penis. The shaft ring obviously is most effective at this as it completely encircles the penis, the cock ring on the other hand, has a more gentle effect.
Above: the Armour Tug Lock cock ring and butt plug combo. Watch the "How Does This Work? Armour Tug Lock 101 w Steve Callow" video here.
There is plethora of choices for the rings, many choices also include a “bullet” style vibrator for the pleasure of both partners. We suggest always to keep it simple to begin. The common decisions you will have to make, even when trying to keep it simple, are the material choice, stretchiness, and size.
Silicone rings are an excellent choice. Silicone is very tolerable by people, and is often used in the medical world. Silicone is less reactive against the skin, hence its prevelance in the medical world. Right away you can assume you are getting a better product then the three dollar $3 jelly style. A silicone ring is not going to stretch as much as one of our SilaSkin rings or another brands of TPR rings.
Above: Xact-Fit™ cock rings. Available in 14 0.1" incremental sizes.
So, sizing is more of an issue. We did the research. From our 4 years spent developing the Xact-Fit rings, which are available in 14 sizes, we know that the 0.1” increment sizing makes a big difference in the comfort and performance of a ring. In our focus group, we found the 15 of 17 men who had tested our new sizing system had in fact selected their ideal sized ring to be one of the ring sizes no one else even makes.
Above: The Cock Armour cock ring
To find a size that fits, we say takes a bit of eye-balling, maybe a piece of string and a tape measure (use the string to wrap around the base of the penis and scrotum – and then measure the length), and then some trial and error.
The comfortable fitting ring is one that is not binding on you when you are erect, but it snug so you can feel the difference in your erection. You’ll know if you have the right size when you have a harder erection and no discomfort – such as your penis feeling too hard.
Don’t worry, as long as you don’t try a metal ring, our silicone rings will stretch enough to get on and off even when fully erect. You may prefer a fatter style ring, and then you may want to opt for a blended silicone/TPR ring like our PF Blend or SilaSkin lines, these rings are softer, stretch significantly more and are very easy to get on and off.
How do you use a cock ring?
To find a size that fits, we say takes a bit of eye-balling, maybe a piece of string and a tape measure (use the string to wrap around the base of the penis and scrotum – and then measure the length), and then some trial and error. You'll know you've found the right fit when the ring fits snuggly on your erection — but isn't painful or uncomfortable. The best way for a beginner is to stretch the ring as much as they can and pull their penis first then one testicle at a time. Once on it shouldn’t be binding or strangling the base. It should be just loose enough so it can be easily turned while in place because as an erection grows it will tighten. Once hard, a proper fitting penis ring will give you a powerful erection.
Above: How Does This Work? Cruiser Ring 101 w Steve Callow
What are some recommended cock rings to try? Looking to know who they're good for (beginners, men who want to last longer, clit stimulation, etc) and why that is / how it works.
I’d recommend starting with something that is more gentle. starting with a softer, more flexible ring. It may not be the right ring for you, but it also won’t kill your curiosity in cock rings leave you with a spoiled interested. Our SilaSkin Cruiser rings from Perfect Fit are so soft they have a very subtle effect. They are also great for extended wear. But ultimately, I’d recommend that you don’t mess around and spend the few dollars to get a great product. The PlayZone is sold for $29.95 on AdamEve.com and is their highest rated cock ring offering. This kit uses our premium silicone Xact-Fit rings and comes with 9 sizes to have fun with. •
Check out the many styles of cock rings in the Perfect Fit Brand catagog on our Cock Rings page.
