I also personally prefer metal ones. The silicone/rubber one-size-fits-all ones always end up feeling too tight/constricted for me. My favorite one (below) is a modified 'teardrop' design that I bought in Berlin 20 years ago. As you can see, it extends wider at my taint - gives a nice extra push of pressure there which feels great. Mine is a "large" size but sadly, I have not seen other 'teardrop' designs that offer varied sizes.
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Cockrings are worn under both your cock and balls - and as stated earlier, you put them on first by slipping your balls through, one-by-one. If you have bigger balls, pull your scrotum skin through first and then push your balls through. After they are both through, pull your (hopefully still) flaccid dick through and you are set. After that, you can get fully erect.
As cockringking states, a metal cockring won't come off when you are hard, but after you cum your cock will deflate enough to slip your balls out first, and then your semi-hard dick out.
I have a thicker dick, with a circumference of 5 1/2 inches. But, of course, it is even thicker at the base below my balls. My favorite cock ring has an inside circumference of about 6 1/2".
I generally do not wear a cock ring when I am soft - I have enough of a bulge without it. But you asked about what our dicks look like without one and, I have to say, my hard dick doesn't look any bigger or thicker. The cock ring WILL however, keep your dick hard more consistently when you are playing around.
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