Back in the day, Godemiche’s Twitter bio said that their goal was “not to break the mold, but recolour it.” Their Ambit is a simple yet near-perfect dildo, and they offer an array of body-safe dildos, plugs, strokers, gags and more in a dizzying array of colours and combinations. But despite this stated aim, the Godemiche Grind Ring really does break a few molds.
In a world of endless knock-offs and derivatives, it is so refreshing when I see sex toy designers doing something genuinely new and innovative. And I have never come across anything quite like the Grind Ring before. But what is a Grind Ring, how does it work, and—most importantly—is it good?
What is a Grind Ring?
A Grind Ring is a piece of silicone shaped a bit like a pizza slice, with a hole designed to fit around the penis or dildo during penetrative sex. Its main purpose is to provide extra external stimulation to a person with a clitoris. Each of these innovative clit grinders has a raised mound covered in one of nine textures.
Each Grind Ring measures 6″ in length and 4.3″ across at the widest point, and feature a stretchy hole for a penis or dildo to fit through at the base.
In Godemiche’s words:
The Grind Ring is a soft textured piece of body safe silicone that’s shaped like a pizza slice with a bulge for grinding. Dare we say it, it’s also more enjoyable then a pizza slice too and way fucking dirtier.
This review covers the original “low grind” Grind Ring in its nine available textures as well as one of the “high grind” variations. There are also Dual Density and Dual Texture Grind Rings available.
So How Does it Work?
Most people with vulvas need sustained clitoral stimulation to reach orgasm, which penis-in-vagina intercourse doesn’t always provide. The main purpose of a Grind Ring, as I mentioned above, is to provide that clitoral stimulation during penetrative sex. So, naturally, Mr C&K and I began by testing it that way.
After trying a few different positions, we concluded that by far the most effective way to use this toy was with me on top. This allowed me to effectively grind down against the textured surface. However, any position that involves a lot of close, face-to-face bodily contact works pretty well. Positions with more space between bodies tend to make the Grind Ring flap around and slip out of position.
While using a Grind Ring did not get me to orgasm during penetrative sex (the stimulation was a little too inconsistent for that), it did up the intensity and add a lot of additional pleasure.
Other Ways to Use These Toys
The fun thing about sex toys is that you don’t have to just use them in the way they were originally designed to be used. Wand vibrators on penises or clitoral suckers on nipples, anyone?
The Grind Ring (or any pussy grinder, for that matter) is no different.
Girl on the Net posted a brilliant piece about using it “wrong” (there’s obviously no such thing!) and I was inspired to try her “textured Doxy wank” idea[1].
You might also want to try:
- Using the Grind Ring as an addition to hand sex, either on yourself or your partner
- Placing the Grind Ring underneath you on a chair or other firm surface
- Lying on top of the Grind Ring on your bed
- Experimenting with positions using pillows, positioning wedges, or toy mounts
- Putting a little clitoral balm or stimulating lube on your Grind Ring before you start
[1] Since I initially wrote this review, Godemiche have added textured Doxy and Magic Wand attachment heads to their line-up!
Let’s dive into the review of the various Grind Ring textures.
Godemiche Grind Ring: “Waves”
I received the Waves Grind Ring in gorgeous pastel pearlescent green.
This Grind Ring was perhaps the biggest surprise of the range. After feeling how soft its silicone ripples are, I wasn’t sure how much I’d be able to feel them. But when I ground against them, especially when they had a firm surface underneath, they felt like a series of repeated licks from dozens of little silicone tongues. Since the waves are so close together and flex as you rub against them, it offers a smooth, flowing, continuous sensation.
Godemiche Grind Ring: “Bumps”
I received this one in Aquamarine, a deep sea-green shade.
The Bumps Grind Ring is the perfect middle ground in terms of intensity compared to others in the range. The little nodules are small and quite close together so whichever way I move against them, several of them are always making contact with my clit from various angles. This one works best for long, slow, back-and-forth movements.
Godemiche Grind Ring: “Bubbles”
I received the Bubbles Grind Ring in a shade of watery blue known as “Reefs Water.”
This was actually the first Grind Ring Mr C&K and I tried as an addition to penetrative sex. I had a feeling this one would be gentle, which it was and it wasn’t. This one is ultra smooth and offers a squishy “bounce” when you move against it. Rather than the licking sensation of the Waves or the flicky back-and-forth of the Pills and Spikes, the main sensation of the Bubbles is one of pressure.
Godemiche Grind Ring: “Spikes”
I received the Spikes Grind Ring in a vibrant shade of orange known as “Dragon’s Breath.”
My first thought when I saw this texture was “eek”. The Spikes Grind Ring looked like it might be too intense for my sensitive clit. As it turns out, that’s the case sometimes but not always. I have to be in a specific mood for the Spikes Grind Ring, and that mood is “craving something so intense it’s almost too much”. It’s not painful, as the silicone is indeed very soft and squishy. It’s just… a lot.
The Spikes Grind Ring creates a teasing, unpredictable flicking sensation. One amazing thing I discovered about this one: if I lay it across my vulva and use a powerful vibrator over the top of it, the tips of the spikes transmit the vibrations in very interesting ways.
Godemiche Grind Ring: “Hearts”
I knew I wanted my Godemiche Hearts Grind Ring in a Valentine’s-themed colour, so I opted for this shimmery pinkish-red known as “Ruby Rose.”
The Hearts Grind Ring feels somewhat similar to the Bubbles. It offers a similar kind of deep pressure when you grind against it, but the larger and flatter surface of the hearts makes it feel a little less bouncy. Due to the shape of the hearts, I find that this texture is more intense on the downward motion than on the upward motion.
Godemiche Grind Ring: “Pyramids”
I received the Pyramids Grind Ring in a green and burgundy/purple swirl colourway called “Garden Party.”
Adam from Godemiche says that the Pyramids Grind Ring texture was “inspired by a belt I happened to see someone wearing while out grocery shopping. It reminded me of my skater boy days when none of my trousers fit and I often opted for a studded belt to keep them around my thighs.” If you can’t picture what he means, think something like this.
I expected the Pyramids to feel a lot like the Spikes, but they don’t. They’re less flexible and, though they’re still soft, they have a firmer texture. The overall sensation is more targeted, deeper, and less “flicky.”
Godemiche Grind Ring: “Tall Pyramids”
I received the Tall Pyramid Spikes in a reddish-purple shade called “Winter Berry.”
As you can see in the above picture, these tall pyramid spikes are noticeably smaller than those on the Spikes ring. So though that’s probably the closet comparison in terms of sensation, they’re really quite different.
The Tall Pyramids are very soft and very flexible, and they really don’t feel “pointy” at all. You can get a range of sensations from this one: if I grind down hard against it, I get an all-over rubbing sensation, whereas if I support some of my weight and just glide my vulva along it, it’s more of a gentle tickle.
I think I like this texture best because you get constant stimulation as the spikes slide along your vulva. The flicking of the little pyramids feel like dozens of little silicone tongues lapping at and around my clit.
Godemiche Grind Ring: “Pills”
I received the Pills Grind Ring in “Green UV,” one of Godemiche’s brightest shades.
This is perhaps the softest of all the Grind Ring textures, and Godemiche recommends it as a suitable texture for beginners to grinding toy. The Pills texture offers a flicking sensation similar to the Spikes and Tall Pyramids, but far softer. Even when you grind down hard into it, the overall sensation is still pretty light. This one borders on tickly.
I often reach for the Pills Grind Ring at the start of a session because it’s a great warm-up texture.
Godemiche Grind Ring: “Tall Waves”
I received the Tall Waves ring in Godemiche Purple, the company’s signature shade.
The Tall Waves is a twist on the original Waves texture, only with higher ridges. Like the original Waves, this one offers continuous, rhythmic back-and-forth thanks to the softness and close placement of the silicone tongues. This one is soft enough for a long session but intense enough that it usually doesn’t take very long at all to get me off.
High Grind Ring: “Bubbles”
Godemiche’s High Grind Ring variation is different from the original design in one important way: it has “a much larger mound designed to bring the texture even closer to your body while being designed to be comfortable on your genitals.”
Other than that, it’s the same Grind Ring design you know and love. I received the High Grind Ring in the Bubbles texture, which was the only one available at the time. It’s now also available in “Spikes,” “Tall Waves,” and a new texture known as “Suckers.”
Bubbles isn’t a Grind Ring texture I reach for super often as it’s a little too gentle for me. But the more raised style of the High Grind Ring adds a little more of the intensity I was seeking. The silicone mound provides more to grind against and is firm enough to offer significant pressure.
Interestingly, due to the more raised mound, the High Grind provides slightly more focused clitoral pressure and slightly less in terms of broad, all-over vulva stimulation. This isn’t necessarily a good or bad thing. It’s just different, and you should take your own preferences into account when deciding whether the Low Grind or High Grind will work best for you.
Verdict
I still love the absolute fuck out of these toys. They’re innovative, they’re versatile, and they’re shockingly effective.
Totally fucking brilliant. I am obsessed with the Godemiche Grind Rings and I will be shouting about them to anyone who will listen.
Grind Rings start from £39.99. Custom colours, a higher mound, or adding a vibrating “V-Plate” all increase the cost.
Thanks to Godemiche for sending me these toys to review. Affiliate links appear in this post. All views, as ever, are my own.
