Review: Odyssey Toys Kraken Grinder

It’s been a few weeks now since my Top 10 Sex Toys of 2023 went live, and if you’ve had a chance to browse the winners yet, you’ll know that I placed a toy I gave an overly negative review to at Number 3 (what a twist!). That toy is the Uncover Creations Tentacle Grinder II, and even though it has plenty of issues, the fact is that it was one of the most memorable reviews I completed last year. Whilst functionally grinders are very simple, they offer a true blank canvas for toy makers, allowing them to go all in on immersive fantasy designs that resonate with users on a deeper level than just pleasure. And it was exactly this that led me to fall in love with the Tentacle Grinder II, from its detailed Lovecraftian design to its tapered tip for just the slightest amount of insertion. So, when I was recently contacted by another UK-based indie maker, who offers a toy that takes everything I loved about the Tentacle Grinder II and then amps it up another notch? Well, I was all in.

The Brand

Odyssey Toys are a new offshoot of one of my all-time favourite independent sex toy manufacturers, Godemiche. But whilst their focus has always been more on classic toy designs, with simple shapes that allow them to highlight their expertise at colour theory and pouring, Odyssey instead offers them a chance to delve into the realm of fantasy designs, one of the bigger sex toy trends of the last few years. Alongside their superb gothic branding, complete with a blackletter logo, is their already large product range, and even though they have everything from werewolves to dragons, it seems it is tentacles that are their speciality. I first took proper notice of Odyssey Toys when they released their Tentacle Wand Attachment a few months ago, a massager accessory that seemed so obvious that I couldn’t believe no one had ever thought of it before. And since then it’s just been hit after hit, with their offerings currently consisting of (just to name a few) grinders, dildos, butt plugs, penetrables, extenders, and even ovipositors! Of course I was thrilled when they reached out and offered to send a care package my way, and I knew their signature product, the Kraken Grinder, would be the perfect way to kick off 2024.

Product Description

One of the things that makes Odyssey Toys different from other sex toy manufacturers making fantasy toys, is that each design starts with a story. And I think the Kraken Grinder perfectly encapsulates that. I always loved the design of the Uncover Creations Tentacle Grinder II (and still do), but for a product that’s supposed to immerse you, there are questions to be asked, like, why is this dismembered tentacle sitting on the bottom of the ocean floor? And, if I’m imagining it to still be alive, how is it doing that? It breaks the illusion a little, and while Uncover Creations obviously aren’t intending for the design to undergo that level of thought, it seems that Odyssey Toys have applied it to their products. So rather than a random tentacle, for tentacles sake, the Kraken Grinder instead starts by painting a picture. A ship at sea, destroyed by the mighty Kraken, and as the storm continues and the waves roll, it sends up its twin tentacles to wrap around what remains of the ship’s mast, before pulling it down into the depths below. Just try and tell me that’s not cool!

But yes, ultimately the Odyssey Toys Kraken Grinder is yet another tentacle grinder, my third after Uncover Creations Tentacle Grinder II and the Darque Path Maera. So, what makes this one different? Well, it seems a new trend has arisen, because whilst the Maera was almost flat, with a bundle of tentacles just slightly protruding from its silicone base, and the Tentacle Grinder II’s singular arm floats just few centimetres off the ground, the Kraken Grinder has gone all in, with a 7.5cm / 2.95″ insertable portion. This’ll make it my very first internal grinder, a category I didn’t even really consider to be a thing till now, and I am 100% here for it. For those who just want to rub one out though, there is still plenty to enjoy here. On either end, there is a generous amount of tentacle underside, with prominent ribbing and suckers for a textural delight. Under this you’ll then find what’s left of the wooden ship surrounded by the ocean waves, although these areas are more for visual than functional purposes. Plus, another thing that makes this toy special is its colour work. Coming in the product’s Signature Colour, it’s the first 100% silicone toy I’ve ever received where each element has its own defined colour, which is not easy to do and creates a stunning effect. To be fair though, this is a hefty $59 AUD / $39 USD upgrade, and whilst I love it, I do also think photos I’ve seen of it in their Highlight or Marble colouring also looks very effective. Because of this price increase, I then decided to stick with the default options for everything else, and so my Kraken Grinder uses their soft silicone and comes with their black 80cm / 2.6ft straps (although Odyssey also kindly included their alternative 1.5m / 4.9ft straps too), which fit into the holes in each corner of the toy’s base. On that note, the base shape here is reminiscent of a wooden plaque, which goes well with the fantasy theme, and at the very bottom of this you’ll find the Odyssey Toys logo. Finally, since this toy is fully made of silicone, it is body-safe and waterproof, and it can be used both vaginally and anally.

Packaging

My order for the Kraken Grinder was placed with Odyssey Toys on the 29th of November. Whilst the toy was originally meant to be sent by DHL, as is their standard for international orders, it was instead sent by mistake via Royal Mail. This made for a longer shipping period, with the toy not arriving till the 17th of December. Still, considering this was a custom-made product coming from the UK to Australia during the Christmas period, I think this is a damn good turnaround and wouldn’t have even noticed the mix up if they didn’t mention it. I’ve also got to touch on the shipping notification emails I received during the wait, which read like they were straight out of a D&D game (calling DHL “Diligent Horseback Logistics” and letting me know it can take their scouts up to 30 days to find “my creature”), which was a really great touch. Once it arrived, all of the items were safely packaged in a box, which was 100% discreet, with no mention of who sent it or what was inside. Also included were some leaflets for both Godemiche and Odyssey Toys, both with discount codes for further orders and care advice, as well as some candy and a bamboo toothbrush. Apparently this is something they include with all orders, and it is a genius and incredibly kind move, since you’re absolutely going to need it when cleaning a toy as heavily textured as this. The Kraken Grinder was then packaged with its straps in a sealed zip-lock plastic bag, similar to what Godemiche uses but without any branding on it. And as usual I am all for this pared back packaging, as being able to reuse this bag allows for barely any wastage.

My Experience

My favourite way to use grinders is to ride them whilst they’re on my Liberator Jaz. Not only does this firm cushion elevate them perfectly, so that sitting on them is a far easier and more comfortable experience, but the material used also helps the toy to stay in place. Even better though is when I can actually attach the toys to the cushion, so the Odyssey Toys Kraken Grinder’s straps were a welcome addition. Although remembering my experience with the Uncover Creations Tentacle Grinder II’s straps, I made sure to always keep one side attached to the buckle, so I knew how to reattach the other. Because of this, I had zero issues with these straps, finding them easy to apply and release (and they even finally taught me how to attach the buckles on the Tentacle Grinder II!). As for the two different sizes, I started by using the toy’s default 80cm / 2.6ft straps, but I quickly found that they only just fit over the Jaz. So since then I’ve been using the 1.5m / 4.9ft straps instead, which may be a little large but are otherwise much easier, and as they’re only a small upgrade, it is definitely something I’d recommend getting.

Now, part of my hope with the Odyssey Toys Kraken Grinder was for it to be like an even better version of the Uncover Creations Tentacle Grinder II. With that toy, I was able to strap it to the Liberator Jaz, and then, with barely any effort on my part, its tapered tentacle would enter me. However, this is sadly not the case with the Kraken Grinder, and to be honest it was pretty foolish of me to think it would be, considering its insertable portion is both larger and on a different angle than the Tentacle Grinder II’s (not to mention that the Tentacle Grinder II has that unique Silky Smooth Upgrade too). Instead, I do need to put in a bit of effort to insert this toy, particularly as once it’s on the Jaz, it is far higher up than my pelvis when I’m on my knees, and so I actually need to get up and straddle it. But, once on, I really enjoy it. With the raised tentacle only being so big, the stimulation it provides is more mental than physical, yet the ribbing of the external portion more than makes up for this, being located right under my clitoris. And if I do want even more sensation, I find that a small bullet vibrator, like the Doxy Bullet or We-Vibe Tango X, fits perfectly between the Kraken Grinder and the Jaz, with the straps also working to keep it in place. Again comparing it to the Tentacle Grinder II, the two are actually very different in use. With that toy, I have to choose between either grinding on it or enjoying the insertable tentacle, but with the Kraken Grinder I can instead enjoy both at once. However, since the Kraken Grinder is always inserted, I do start to lose that tentacle fantasy, and instead it can feel more like I’m just riding a dildo with a grinder underneath. Plus, I also much prefer the softer silicone that the Tentacle Grinder II’s uses, and find it much more comfortable to grind against. So, with all this in mind, I do have to say that the Tentacle Grinder II remains my first choice for riding, especially when I want that tentacle immersion.

After not really feeling my fantasy with the Odyssey Toys Kraken Grinder on the Liberator Jaz, I decided to instead try it on my back. Honestly, I didn’t really think holding it against me in this way would be very effective due to its design, and also because it is fairly heavy (with a weight of 555g), making it tiring on my arms. But oh how wrong I was, and I am so glad I gave this method a chance! Whilst I didn’t get the sensation of the toy penetrating me that I was looking for when riding it, I instead found it here, as its straight shaft enters me easily when held directly over my entrance. And after enjoying this subtle stimulation for a while, I am then able to press the entire thing against me, and again really go to town with that ribbed tentacle against my clitoris. I still think it would be even more enjoyable with a softer silicone (which Odyssey Toys do offer as a small upgrade), but it isn’t as noticeable here as when I’m riding it. And as for the weight, this turned out to not be a problem after all, since it’s on my vulva rather than my arms, which, if anything, just increases the pleasure! Plus, compared to using the Uncover Creations Tentacle Grinder II in this way, I actually far prefer it, and overall this is absolutely my favourite way to use the Kraken Grinder.

Cleaning & Care

The only real downside to the Odyssey Toys Kraken Grinder is cleaning it. Whilst its waterproof nature does help matters here, being so intricately textured does mean that extra care will need to be put in, particularly if you’re using it internally at all. To start, I’d recommend soaking it in some warm soapy water, and then going over it with the included toothbrush. You can then rinse the Kraken Grinder and leave to air dry, before returning it to the zip lock bag it came in. Additionally, if you’re using the toy frequently, or you’re switching between partners or orifices, you may want to consider sterilising it too. And don’t forget that you’ll want to avoid using silicone-based lubricants with this product, as they may damage the material it is made out of.

Final Thoughts

There is a certain irony to grinders that makes me think of the journey of the mobile phone. They got smaller and smaller, and now seem to be going the opposite way, getting larger and larger each year. Meanwhile, grinders were popularised as a non-penetrative method of sexual stimulation, and now here they are, slowly getting more penetrative. But you know what? I love it! Whilst the more 2D efforts of toys like the Godemiche Grind Rings and Darque Path Maera still have their place, being able to take things up a notch up with the slight tip of the Uncover Creations Tentacle Grinder II was such an unexpected delight last year. And it is a trend I am more than happy to see catch on. Whilst I’m not exactly sure how to categorise the Odyssey Toys Kraken Grinder, what I do know is that whatever this new dildo-grinder hybrid is, I want more of it. In the meantime though, the Kraken Grinder is enough for me, and my time with it, both top and bottom, has been hugely satisfying, and unlike any sex toy I’ve tried before. In retrospect, the softer silicone may have been the better option for me, particularly when using it alongside my Liberator Jaz. But whilst the Tentacle Grinder II remains my favourite for this, it was the time spent on my back where the Kraken Grinder shined most, cementing itself as my absolute favourite grinder for this kind of play. And that’s without even mentioning its beautiful and intricate design, with colour work that is also completely unlike anything else I’ve seen. With all this in mind, I would absolutely recommend this toy, particularly to lovers of tentacles, grinders or smaller internal toys, and my suggestion would be to make sure you at least get the extra soft silicone and 1.5m / 4.9ft strap, with consideration also being put into that Signature Colour upgrade!

You can get the Kraken Grinder directly from Odyssey Toys starting at just $128 AUD / $84 USD!

Last updated: 21/1/24

Price at the time of writing: $128 AUD / $84 USD

This post was sponsored by Odyssey Toys, but as always, all opinions are my own. Affiliate links have been used in this post.