When I first received my bendy beads I was confused as to whether they were meant to be an anal probe with a little more texture or strings with a silicon coating. I now know they are a little bit of both, and that is definitely a good thing. Like a probe, the beads were easy to control and kept their shape while inserting them. However, they are called beads, and true to beads they are flexible and move around for just the right amount of stimulation. I like to insert them one bead at a time, flex them around a bit, and then take it back out. The beads flex and move easily without that feeling that the string is going to pop. These beads are a great addition to my anal toy collection.