Changing from MM Jailbird to Steelheart

[novacatz]

Hey folks - want to get some advice on the correct sizing for a planned purchase of a Steelworxx steelheard device.

Been doing the chastity thing on and off for a year and a half or so now. Started with the CB-6000S and it was a good starter but then but obviously an entry level device and needed repairs after about six months of use (had to glue the 'ears' around the docking pins a few times after they broke and the cage portion split) . I decided to upgrade to the MM Jailbird. Had to have a few rounds of modifications but finally got something I am really happy with - can do 24/7 basically forever (until my willpower runs out!) with no sleeping problems and really easy hygiene maintenance.

Looking around tho - seems like the Steelheart is another very interesting device, want to try experience mind-games with having a solid tube.

Currently - my set up on my JB is

Cage/Ring Gap : 3/8" (~9.5mm) Gap
Cage Length : 2 1/4" (~57mm) Length
Ring Size : 1 3/4" (~44mm) Ring
Cage Diameter: 1 1/4" (~32mm)

I have a double ring base ring and the docking pin is welded to the top instead of poking directly from the ring itself. As I said, very comfortable.

Am thinking of getting the integrated lock and the "Anatomical ring" - can't see any option for double ring on the steeworxx site. But I was wondering what advice on the sizing of the Steelheart. From the website, seems like a lot of options and possibilty of getting custom things done.

For the tube width in particular, from research I was doing on the Denying Thumper website (http://denyingthumper.com/2011/03/05/steelheart-short) - it seems like for the SH device, because it is a tube instead of a web of crossing bars - a similar diameter would be feel 'bigger' and so I was wondering if I should take a couple of millimeters smaller for the SH for that reason?

any one have ideas/thoughts on this?

[Atone]

I have a fair bit of experience with both the jailbird (had three) and the Steelheart (still have three).

How snug is your jailbird? Is there any space when you wear it or is the penis always in contact with the cage?

[Cosmo]

Dietmar at Steelworxx will do any size. Just send him your desired dimensions.

[novacatz]

Atone, On the sizing, it really depends - on the tip of my penis, usually about a miilieter
from the tip and during the day depending on my movements - usually ok
but sometimes have pinching from foreskin getting trapped in the wrong
way between the bars (which is also why I am considering steelheart)

on the sides - when not excited, usually pretty snug, at most half a
millimeter from side bars sometimes. no visible gaps but no
feeling of constriction. As mentioned, quite comfy... Obviously when excited then bits of skin poking
through the gaps between bars!

[Atone]

Based on how snug it fits I would suggest the 35mm tube on the Steelheart, the 32 would probably be too tight. I use a 32mm tube but the Jailbird that I wore the most was only 1 1/8" diameter.

My cage was also 2 1/4" long so I asked Dietmar to make the tube portion 57mm, he figured out the overall length. I think it ended up being 70mm overall. I later ordered the same thing but with a 35mm tube so it could accomodate a fixing with penis plug. I ordered 70mm overall and it appears to be the same as the first one.

I have a 44mm anatomical ring for mine but I didn't like it. Luckily I also ordered a flat ring and that was OK. Many have expressed that they really like the anatomical ring. I have since gone down several sizes in base ring and currently wear a 40mm ring (actually measures 39mm). If it was so difficult to get one made I would try an anatomical ring in that size. One of the problems I had with the anatomical ring was it made the gap too big. The smaller ring would help with that and I would specify what size I wanted the gap to be. Right now I don't feel any need to make any changes.

I think the integrated lock is great so I highly recommend that. I would also get the comfort ring, it is inexpensive when first ordered and is a nice feature. I didn't have it on my first tube (the one I wear now), somehow overlooked it when I ordered it. After getting it on my second tube I realized that it was helpful (didn't seem like a problem without it but is better with it, if that makes sense) so I sent the first one back to have it added. That was rather expensive as the lock and posts had to be cut off, the comfort ring added, the lock and posts welded back on. Still cheaper than a new tube and it looks like it was that way from the start, he does great work. Took almost 3 months though round trip from / to the US plus the actual modifications.

I take it you are not circumcised, I cannot offer any experiences there.

[novacatz]

Thanks for sharing your experiences and insights Atone.

I settled on the following:

32mm tube - I think this is the hardest to modify and I don't want something that has lots of space that would cause the feeling of like 'clapper in a bell' if too large. As my current is snug but not in any way uncomfortable and same size, I will run the risk with a 32mm

For the tube length - will go with what you mentioned (57mm tube with 70mm total and let the Dietmar use judgement).
For the ring - would like to know more - mine is comfy but still have some room to move around and (squeeze) a finger in if I 'move all the stuff aside'. That being said, I did get the ring in size down from current (1 3/8' - 41mm) and it feels really tight and painful for a full days wear. That being said, I haven't 'broken it in' and maybe I could adjust if wear it a bit more - but the first day experience was tough. Did you find moving from 44mm to 40mm a big challenge, if you go back to 44mm now does it feel way off ?

Still probably go for the anatomical ring just because of positive feedbacks, maybe get a flat/anatomical to compare but need to get sizing right.

When you said the gap is too large - what do you mean? if the anatomical ring, means that you can slip in and out inadvertantly or is it a real struggle?

In terms of 'optional extra' will go for the integrated lock (I have the security screw on the MM and it is awesome) and the comfort ring - as you said, reasonably priced if done from outset.

I just noticed on the SW site that the maker is on vacation and not accepting orders until next year - so I guess I have plenty of time to try out with smaller base ring to see what is the best sizing.

[Atone]

I really like the 32mm tube a lot, the 'clapper in a bell' analogy is good. That is a lot of what it feels like in the 35mm tube if I am not using the fixing with penis insert. Be prepared when you open the box, it will look really, really small. It may take some time to get used to getting it on and wearing it.

I went from 44 to 42 to 40 mm on the rings pretty quick. I would not want to go back to the 44mm ring now. When I travelled out of country back in May I didn't want to risk losing my #1 device so I brought the larger tube and larger ring. I think it was the 42mm. It was OK but I was happy when I went back. I do find the Steelworxx rings to be more comfortable than the MM rings.

In my opinion there are two problems with the anatomical ring, both related to the gap. The first is that in general the gap is a little larger all along the bottom. For me this causes the testicle to be squeezed somewhat while it is being trapped. The problem isn't the anatomical design so much as it is the larger gap. I guess if the gap was closed up enough it might not be an issue. The second is that right in the middle of the bottom the gap is going to be greater than anywhere else. As I see it there is no way around that. If the device is rotated so the bottom lines up with a testicle it is much more likely that it will be able to 'pop' through.

One more thing on the anatomical ring. I didn't find it to be any more comfortable. So even without the drawbacks I mentioned I didn't get any benefit from it. I know there are many out there that swear by it though.