What we used: standard riding crop
From: Jack’s Floggers
Material(s): leather, glass fibre
Price: £12.00
Reviewer(s): Lizzie & Thomas

A crop is a crop is a crop. Or is it? Find out what Lizzie and Thomas think of their newest purchase from U.K.-based Jack’s Floggers.

First thoughts

Lizzie
So, can I just say that my eyes were going all over the place when I saw Jack’s line up of truly beautiful implements at LAM (the London Alternative Market), which is where Thomas and I bought this lovely, lovely riding crop a month or two back. The quality of Jack’s products was abundantly clear but, not only that, they were all, without exception, incredibly stylish. This crop stood out to me, first and foremost, because of the colour – I’m a sucker for red – but as soon as I picked it up, I thought ‘ooh!’. Our current Bondage Boutique crop, the one we reviewed a while back, is now a little worse for wear and, lately, we’ve noticed the keeper has started to part company with the shaft.

Thomas
Like Lizzie, I noticed straight away that this crop of Jack’s looked and felt far superior to our current one. And although they’re both about the same length overall (approximately 27.5 inches from end to end) the leather strop/keeper on his design is much longer (7.0 inches at the attachment point as opposed to 4.5).

Construction

Lizzie
I’ll say it again. This is an absolutely stunning crop and the quality of the craftsmanship is evident everywhere you look: the beautiful braided handle in gloss red leather; the black braided handle butts; the slim, tapered shaft; the soft leather keeper embossed with the Jack’s Floggers logo. Everything on it is neat and tidy, the finishing impeccable, and, basically, it’s just really well made. This isn’t an instrument that’s going to fall to pieces on you in a hurry.

Thomas
This crop is far whippier than our old one (I gave Lizzie a few experimental whacks before buying it and the difference was immediately evident) and it’s definitely better put together as well. The leather keeper is more securely attached to the shaft and the shaft material itself, which is glass fibre, is superior, too. I like that the handle is braided as the uneven surface helps with grip. Overall, the finish is very, very good.

In use

Lizzie
I love the crop. It’s become one of my favourite toy bag items. The threat and tease of it as it’s run or tapped over my body prior to or during a session; the sting of the tip and shaft when it’s applied to my bottom and thighs with force. The ‘smacking’ sound the keeper creates when it hits the skin, too, never fails to send a little thrill of fright through me.

Thomas and I liked our last crop a lot but, wow. It pales in comparison to this one. For starters, Jack’s creation has far (far) more bite than the Bondage Boutique version. The slim, stiff shaft really smarts when it hits and the split keeper seems to give far more sting to the wielder’s flicks and swings. Thomas had to strike relatively firmly to generate bruises with our previous crop. This one? Well, I had some truly spectacular purple keeper-shaped marks on my bottom for far less effort on his part.

If you’re someone who enjoys stingy sensations, this crop is a slice of heaven … and maybe just a little bit of exquisite masochistic hell, too :-).

Thomas
Jack’s crop is far more aggressive than our last one. The shaft is slimmer and stiffer, and the leather strop is softer and longer. This all combines for a lot more whip and a lot more snap in the end – and so a lot more sting. Lizzie wriggles about far more than usual when I use this crop, which tells me I have her undivided attention.

Any downsides?

Lizzie
None that I can think of. Although I would say that the slightly longer-than-we-were-used-to keeper dimensions caught us out a little; Thomas mis-judged a relatively firm hit by a fraction of an inch and ended up catching me between the legs before he intended to do so (he normally warms me up a bit more before going for that spot). I can tell you categorically that a firm swat with this on the clitoris will make you jump about like nobody’s business!

Thomas
As Lizzie mentioned, the only issue with this crop was that I made the schoolboy error of not practising enough with it beforehand and assuming if would behave the same way as our old one. The lesson? Always put a new toy through its paces, even if the overall style is familiar, so that you get the reach right. This one caught me out because I placed it fractionally further into the buttock than I should have (although I don’t think Lizzie minded too much ;-).) If you are used to a crop with a short, unsplit keeper, you will need to be extra careful with your aim until you get used to it.

The verdict?

Lizzie
A superb riding crop that is amazingly priced, beautifully made, and a joy to be on the receiving end of. If you like sting with style, this is £12.00 you won’t regret parting with.

Thomas
A very nice crop nice to hold and use and very effective (especially when applied to the clitoris!).

In summary

Things we liked:

• The finishing. Truly beautiful.
• The design. Sting city!
• The price. At £12.00 this is a total bargain.
• Being able to try before we bought. Jack (and his stall) were fab. But he also offers a great online service, with worldwide shipping, if you can’t make it to the London Alternative Market.

Things we weren’t so keen on:

• Nothing!

Tickle your fancy? Click on the following link to visit the Jack’s Floggers website. (You will need to navigate to the Canes, Crops and Paddles etc. page.)

• Jack’s Floggers

*LAM (the London Alternative Market) runs the first Sunday of every month. Entry is £4 per person. Full details here.

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I could go on, but I think you get the idea. Put simply, a spanking can be many, many things. That’s the beauty of this wonderful act; the interpretations of it are endless and so very, very personal.

*Thank you to Molly Moore for letting me know about Kink of the Week and for showing me how effective a word cloud can be. (This one was inspired by the one she used in her Myth busting: the submissive woman lecture at Eroticon 2013.)

The post Kink of the Week: Eight little letters appeared first on Behind the Chintz Curtain.

I’m not sure that this photograph is particularly good from a technical perspective – the focus is a little bit out – but I kind of like it. I think it’s because I’m able to see the inside of the cane: the rattan’s structure and the way the tubular fibres sit so snugly next to one another. Looking at them like this, in cross section, it’s hard to believe they could pack much of a punch – ye gads do they ever, though!

Who else is playing Toy with me Tuesday? Click here to find out.

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A little sea creature from the rocky shore …

Doesn’t this flogger look remarkably similar to the delicate little plants you find in tide pools at the beach?

Who else is playing Toy with Me Tuesday this week? Find out.

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Title:

You know how you’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover? Well, I took one look at Spanktastic and totally (totally) did.

Oh, my, is it hot.

But do you know what’s even better? The inside. Because does Spanktastic ever live up to its super-seductive exterior. In fact, I’d go so far as to say it surpasses it – and a barebottomed red-head draped over a velvet chair is pretty hard to top, in my opinion!

This book is an absolute feast for spanking gluttons. Twenty-two luscious stories, in which different women have their bottoms turned a delightful shade of pink by the various inhabitants of fictional town, Rock Creek – a BDSM-friendly community whose residents are free to indulge their fetishes behind closed doors or in front of them. (I should point out here that whilst Spanktastic is a collection of shorts, they’re all linked together by this common setting and, thus, intertwine to create an anthology with a ‘novelesque’ feel. So even if you’re not generally keen on short-form erotica, Spanktastic may just appeal to you.)

The stories are all delightfully different – with twenty-two in total, I was a bit worried that they might be a bit ‘samey’ – but, no. Author Sadey Quinn does a brilliant job of keeping the scenarios varied, interesting and – most importantly! – hot.

F/f, M/ff, FM/f, F/ff, M/f … Voyeurism, exhibitionism, medical, humiliation … And that’s just for starters. I’m struggling to think of types of play that aren’t included in Spanktastic. Yet all are handled with finesse, and even the scenarios that wouldn’t normally push my buttons, well, did.

My personal favourites?

The Sadists, in which a sub by the name of Fern has the misfortune – or should that be pleasure? – of being sent by her Master to serve two sadistic Tops …

‘When they paused once more, Mistress Natasha walked around Fern and stood right in front of her. Their eyes were only inches apart, and Fern shuddered when she saw the expression on the Mistress’ face.
“Don’t you know, Fern,” she said icily, “that I haven’t got an ounce of pity in my body?”’

… and Cleaning for Master Holden. Woe betide any girl who leaves dust bunnies beneath the bed at number Forty-five, Harper Hills:

‘“Come here,” he says.
Joanne walks to him and stands in front of his desk. He holds out his white gloved hand for her to see. To her horror, it is nearly covered in a very thin, yet obvious, layer of dust.
“What is this?” he asks. The edges of his lips are curled in a very small and evil smile.
“It’s … dust, sir,” she says.’

Spanktastic it really is. If you’re a fan of The English Vice, you won’t want to miss this one.

Tickle your fancy? Click on the following links to buy a copy:

Amazon.co.uk

• Spanktastic – Kindle
• Spanktastic – Paperback

Amazon.com

• Spanktastic – Kindle
• Spanktastic – Paperback

Kobo

• Spanktastic – ePub

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Spank Ÿ v. slap with one’s open hand or a flat object, especially on the buttocks as a punishment. Ÿ n. a slap or series of slaps of this type.

How can something that’s painful be enjoyable? Create sexual satisfaction?

Erotic pain is a very hard thing to describe and quantify. In the words of Jay Wiseman:

‘One of the great fallacies is that people vary in their pain threshold. Medical research has proven that all persons begin to feel pain at almost exactly the same degree of stimulation. What is true is that people vary a great deal in how they react to painful stimuli …’

Whenever I read about spanking in the mainstream (outside of an erotic book or BDSM instructional text, basically) it’s invariably portrayed as something that’s met out as a unenjoyable punishment. Indeed, the idea that someone would willing submit to a spanking for the purposes of pleasure alone is confusing to a lot of people. Equally, the notion that there are those who like to inflict pain (responsibly) can be a difficult concept for some to get their heads around.

So, I’m going to show you a video. For those of you with a confirmed love of spanking, I’m willing to put money on the fact that you’ll be hot and bothered by the end of this. For those who can’t see the appeal of a pinkened bottom? This may just sway you …

Watch the face of the lady wielding the crop. Watch the movements of the woman receiving it.

In my opinion, this clip is breathtakingly beautiful.

*Please note that The Fashion Body – Buttocks is not overly explicit but does contain nudity and is therefore NSFW (not suitable for work).

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What we used: Rattan cane
From: Bondara
Price: £16.99
Material(s): Rattan (cane), leather (handle)

*Important: Canes can hurt in bad ways as well as good ways! If you haven’t already, please do take the time to read the Behind the Chintz Curtain Disclaimer before delving further into this post.

First thoughts …

Lizzie
Excitement and dread.

It’s fair to say that Thomas and I have been on a bit of a journey these past few years with impact instruments; first hands, then paddles, then floggers, then straps, then crops, and now, finally, a cane. We’d been discussing the idea of trying one for a while but had been gradually building up as we knew from all the research we’d done on them (and from playing with our other impact toys) that the pain level would likely be quite a jump. Additionally, because of their greater length, there was the worry that a cane would be trickier to control.

In the end, it was Thomas who took the bull by the horns and ordered  it – I was too chicken!

What it looks like …

Lizzie
Like a looong stick. This is a very simple implement and there’s not much to it. It’s basically a length of flexible rattan (81.5 cm of rattan, to be precise) with a strip of soft suede wrapped around one end to create a handle.

While the exterior barrel of the cane is smooth, the two ends (where the rattan has been sliced through) are actually quite rough. Not really a big deal from a use perspective as these parts don’t – or shouldn’t – touch the skin, but not wildly attractive.

I already knew from reading and questioning others that thinner canes are generally more ‘stingy’ and fatter ones more ‘thuddy’, so the newbie in me was pleased to see that this Bondara cane clocked in with a diameter of approximately 1.0 cm. Reasonably chunky! 

Another plus? It’s not made of bamboo, which we’d been warned off due to its tendency to split and crack.

Thomas
It’s a bit hard to pick what a cane will be like from descriptions online. I knew I didn’t want a thin ‘whippy’ one to start with so, was quite pleased to find that the Bondara cane was relatively robust.

Lizzie’s right, it is a very simple thing; a thick bit of rattan (about as thick as your finger) with some leather wrapped around the end. It’s also nice and smooth, with no splits or cracks (very important). 

Using it …

Lizzie
When this arrived and Thomas let me see what he’d ordered, I got into a bit of a dither. On the one hand, I was really looking forward to having it used on me. On the other, I was worried about having it applied and not being able to cope. (Mind you, I was the same way the first time we used a crop!)

Then Thomas put it away in a cupboard, and that just ramped up the anticipation ten-fold. It’s fair to say, I drove him pretty nuts with questions about when he would be getting it out, whether he’d been practising with it in private, and whether he’d re-read all of the educational texts we have on the subject.

Yeah, I was a pain.

The inevitable response was. ‘I’m not telling you. Relax. You know I’ll be careful.’ (And I do know. He always is.)

The cane finally made an appearance about two weeks after it was delivered, and I knew it was coming because Thomas really took his time to build things up. He didn’t go straight in with it but spent a good forty minutes to an hour getting my head in the right place and warming the skin of my buttocks – first with his hands and then with a wooden paddle. Eventually, he leaned me over a piece of furniture and secured my legs with a spreader bar so that I couldn’t wriggle around. (A good idea because you don’t want to be able to shift position unexpectedly when it’s coming towards you and cause an incorrect placement.)

The first strike was a shock – and the sting very sharp – but, oddly, put my mind at ease because once I knew what the sensation was like, it immediately made it much easier to deal with. (Sometimes my imagination is my own worst enemy.)

Interestingly, the pain a cane strike generates is two-fold. There’s a sting when it first hits, followed by a second bloom of pain a moment or two later.

Thomas’s first blow was relatively restrained and he stopped and checked in with me immediately afterwards to make sure I handled it okay. From there, he incrementally increased the pressure, placing strokes in straight, parallel lines across my bottom. On the third one, he checked in verbally again and I requested that he switch sides so that the tip of the cane landed on a different cheek.  (The end was generating a fair amount of sting in a relatively localised area and given my newness to the instrument, I didn’t want to push things too far too soon.)

We did six strokes in total – three on each side – and my backside was on absolute glorious fire by the end. While it was still smarting, Thomas tipped wax from a wax-play candle over the welts and just about had me leaping through the ceiling. I believe the words ‘sadistic bastard’ were used but quickly forgotten as the session morphed into something else entirely :-).

A final note. I should just mention that canes have ‘after effects’. The welts and bruising this particular Bondara offering created were pretty spectacular and lasted roughly a week on me. While I personally loved seeing the evidence of our session in the days that followed, I’m aware that others might not find the slow-fading markings quite such a turn-on. Just something to be aware of – particularly if you are planning on revealing your butt and thighs in the swimming pool, the changing room at the gym, etc. 

Thomas
As Lizzie was being a right pain in the arse about when, where and how it would be used, I made her wait a while. (A reminder of who’s on top – in the bedroom, at least!)

When it did use it, it was after an extended warm up to ensure Lizzie was well and truly ready for it. I can’t say enough how important it is to build up to something more severe like a cane – especially if it’s the first time you have used one. Going in cold won’t hit the right balance of pain/pleasure unless you know your partner very, very well and you both agree that the severe approach is something you want.

Lizzie was clearly nervous, so I started really conservatively with lots of checking to make sure she was handling it okay. (She was – and was getting rather heated as well ;-). I limited the caning to three-a-side, which was plenty for an initial session, and I must say the red welts on Lizzie’s bottom, especially where the end of the cane was hitting, were very impressive. (This is why you need to spread the love over both cheeks). Any more, even at the relatively restrained intensity we were playing at, and I think sitting down may have been a real issue.

I didn’t want to let Lizzie off lightly after all the stressing and fussing beforehand, so had some hot wax to hand to finish her off.

A nice set-up to a particularly squirty orgasm.

The verdict?

Lizzie
One thing hasn’t changed. I’m still both excited and frightened by this implement. The cane has some serious, serious power and, if applied incorrectly and/or without thought, could result in a horrible experience. On the flip side, in the hands of someone who is measured, careful, and in tune with the person on the receiving end, I think it has the potential to open up an absolute kaleidoscope of possibilities for those, like me, who enjoy erotic pain.

If you choose to buy this – or any other cane – doing your safety homework is essential before putting it through its paces. (The aptly named Jay Wiseman’s book, SM 101: A Realistic Introduction is an excellent text with solid, practical information about caning and other aspects of S/M. Peter Masters’s BDSM website, too, has a very good overview of caning for beginners.) And if you’re the wielder, make sure you practise your aim and pressure on an inanimate object before going anywhere near real flesh. 

Thomas
I liked it, Lizzie liked it, and it’s an implement that can be used to great effect. Just go easy to start with, practice hitting pillows, etc., first to get your aim right, move the strokes around on the cheeks, and swap sides to help keep the intensity and the welts at a manageable level (unless your partner likes a more extreme workup, of course). And remember to keep a close eye on your other half to make sure that all is well and they’re not getting too stressed.

In summary …

Things we liked:

• The price. Sub-£20.00.
• The diameter. This is a thicker cane and, as such, a great choice for beginners.
• The feel. (Well, actually, it hurts. A lot. But that’s kind of the point!)
• The marks it leaves.

Things we weren’t so keen on:

• The cane ends could be finished better – they’re a bit rough ‘n’ ready.

Tickle your fancy? Click here to buy the Rattan Cane from Bondara.

The post The cane; not just for Victorian schoolmasters appeared first on Behind the Chintz Curtain.

Today’s Toy with Me Tuesday is a bit ‘Where’s Wally?’, although I’m pretty sure that most of you little deviants will spot this Paul Seville creation straight off the bat :-).

I have to say, I really love this man’s pieces; they always look amazing, perform well and are gorgeously crafted. The only downside is that they tend to leave a rather large dent in the old wallet, so are, for us at least, occasional indulgences only. Never mind; we can always live vicariously by perusing his glorious look book …

Who else is spreading the sex toy love this fine Tuesday? Click here to find out.

The post Toy with me Tuesday: Belt it appeared first on Behind the Chintz Curtain.

What we used: Rubberwood Spanking Paddle
From: Coco de Mer
Price: £20.50
Material(s): Rubberwood

First thoughts …

Lizzie
I am likely to be a little biased in my review of this Rubberwood Paddle because, straight up, spanking is one of my favourite bedroom activities – receiving rather than giving. With the right partner, the right mood and the right delivery, nothing beats it – no pun intended – although, as those of you who have read my previous reviews will be aware, I am a bit of a masochist, so please keep that in mind when digesting that statement!

Thomas and I tend to purchase most of our toy box items online, but this particular paddle was the result of a browsing session in Coco de Mer and something that I picked out for Thomas to use on me rather than the other way around. To that end, I had the opportunity to handle it and experiment with it before purchasing, so was pretty sure I was going to enjoy its various charms.

What it looks like …

Lizzie
Beautiful. The wood is lovely and dark, with a subtle grain, and is finished with a mid-shine lacquer/varnish. Very smooth to the touch. The handle end has a drilled hole, which is threaded with a silk hanging cord in rich red and adorned with a single bead. From a size perspective, it’s just over a third of an inch (1 centimetre) thick and 15 inches in length. (The actual paddle surface area is approximately 7 inches by 4.8 inches.) The fact that it’s made from a sustainable resource (rubberwood) adds to its appeal, too.

Thomas
I agree with Lizzie, well made and finished, not too big and not too small. No sharp edges. The smooth surface makes it easy to clean as well – a definite plus.

Using it …

Lizzie
I was really, really looking forward to this spanking paddle coming out. Because I’d given myself a few practise whacks with it in Coco de Mer to gauge the resulting sensations (albeit through my clothes and on the palm of my hand) I had a fairly good idea of what I was in for. A lot of the impact toys in our arsenal are made from leather or suede, though, so I wasn’t entirely sure what sorts of sensations the wood would induce over a prolonged period.

As always, Thomas warmed me up with his hands first to make sure I was moving into the right headspace to accept a higher level of intensity. (For me, starting off slowly and building up is really, really important when playing like this – gradually increasing the temperature rather than plunging myself, cold, into uncomfortably hot bathwater, if you will.) The first whack of the paddle, when it came, thus morphed really nicely with all the sensations already in play on the skin of my buttocks. It definitely felt different to Thomas’s hand, the wood giving a solidity and reverb to the impact that you just don’t get from a palm, and immediately changed the nature of the session we were having.

Although the Coco de Mer Website suggests not hitting in the same place repeatedly with this paddle, Thomas did and got quite a nice little buzz going by doing so. Two or three contacts and everything started to shift as the solidity of the wood began to build a significant reservoir of sensation. He kept to concentrated sets of six for each spot (and made me count them) but I would only recommend this approach if you know your partner very well and you are both familiar with your pain limits. Too many swats in the same place could definitely turn this into a punishment spanking rather than a sensual one. For beginners, go easy, spread the blows, and gradually increase the intensity.

Bodywise, we stuck to the buttocks, although this spanking paddle could also be used on the tops of the thighs. I wouldn’t recommend using it anywhere else, though, as the wood is unforgiving and needs the cushioning of softer flesh to be used safely.

Looking in the mirror afterwards, there was a lovely rosiness to the skin that had been worked on, which, to me, was very pleasing.

Thomas
Simple paddles are great for a lower intensity start to proceedings as they are more ‘thuddy’ than ‘stingy’ since they have a large head to spread the impact. They’re also easier to control than whips, floggers or canes as they’re generally more rigid and won’t flex somewhere unexpected or whip round on the end and catch the recipient somewhere you did not intend. That said, make sure you steer well clear of less padded parts, the spine, kidneys, and other vital organs. It is also very important to practice hitting square as catching your partner with the edge of the paddle (as opposed to the flat) could result in an injury.

As Lizzie is a bit of a spanking tart, I did concentrate in one area to build a good blush and ramp up the intensity. You do need to keep a very close eye on your partner if you do this, though, and make sure he/she is not becoming negatively distressed. (Even if they haven’t used their safeword – and you should always have one in place for this kind of play – watch them closely and stop and check if you’re at all in doubt.) As a general rule, it’s better to move the paddle around a bit but if your partner is quite slim, like Lizzie, you will have fewer options so may need to slow the pace. Regardless of build, make sure you stay well away from any bony bits.

That said, this is a great paddle; pretty much the perfect weight and size for me to get a nice swing without having to clear the room of furniture beforehand, worry about getting it tangled up, etc.

The verdict?

Lizzie
I’m a little bit in love. This spanking paddle is lovely to look at, beautifully finished and a joy to be on the receiving end of. A really nice alternative to a ‘traditional’ hand spanking – and it leaves you with a lusciously blushing bottom, too.

Thomas
I rate this product. Well made, nice to use, nice to look at – and certainly has the desired effect.

In summary …

Things we liked:

• The look. A really elegant spanking implement that would make a lovely gift for someone who enjoys this type of play.
• That fact that it’s made from a sustainable wood.
• The feel – for both the person wielding it and the person on the receiving end.
• The price. At just over £20.00, it won’t break the bank.
• It’s easy to control. The short length means that it’s unlikely to get away from you.

Things we weren’t so keen on:

• Nothing!

The post A sustainable spanking paddle for rosy cheeks appeared first on Behind the Chintz Curtain.