So I've been struggling with the idea of buying and owning a toy like this but I'm stingy and only want to get one of its worth the money.

Which brings me to my question: what are your personal pros and cons with open ended and closed masturbators as well as pros/cons with ones shaped like specific things?

This should go without saying but this topic is more for information sharing about what to look for in a decent model or what to look out for with certain types and materials. A big thanks to all who participate in this information harvesting (if anyone comes along)

You mean penetrable toys? I have four, all Bad Dragon, so all open-ended. I've never used closed, but I can't imagine them being preferable. Any time I use one, I find that I'm constantly adjusting it to keep the stimulation varied. Turning it on its side or upside down, covering the end for some temporary suction, or even (on rare occassion) using the wrong end, which sometimes workes wonders for driving me over the edge once I'm close.

As far as ones shaped like specific things, I don't think that matters much. Quickly it all just gets about the way the insides of it feel. I know Bad Dragon is considered pricey to some people, but I've been satsfied. As a single brand user, I can't give a lot of opinion on other materials or designs.