Crystal Whip

October 16th, 2010

Crystal Whip

Crystal Whip

This product is no longer available from Liberator, but Babeland now sells a nearly-identical version from Icicles for less than $50.

Babeland carries a flogger with crystal details and a glass handle that I thought was ridiculously gorgeous. I pooled my resources and soon this whip was in my hands. It’s a piece by Liberator, who you all know for their sex position pillows and furniture but whom I also know for a glass piece I have.

The Crystal Whip comes in a suede pouch that ties with ribbons. It’s much bigger than the actual toy and you could steal it for another toy if you wanted. The whip itself really isn’t a whip–but a flogger (it’s not the only one I’ve tried, either). The handle is a glass cylinder that is etched witch smooth wavy lines down the length. There’s a bulbous shape on the end which is good for grasping but may also be used for penetration–maybe. I thought the handle would be larger than it is. It’s a bit over 6″ long and has a diameter of .79″. As it’s glass and rigid, it can certainly feel larger than it is but it’s quite narrow and requires some maneuvering to reach the right places without a curve.

If you do use it internally, you’ll want to be careful when washing to keep the tails out of the stream of water. You’ll also want to carefully wash and lubes from the shaft so that it won’t be slippery during use as a flogger. It would absolutely suck to have it fly out of your hand and hurt someone unintentionally, or break something (can we say Wiimote?) or simply break itself.

Of course, this isn’t really the type of flogger that you aim and swing with all your might. I think it’s best suited to light play. If you aim at extremely sensitive areas and the tails fall so just the tips hit, there’s a tingly sting but it’s really quite light. If you’re not aiming quite so precisely or flogging an area that’s not exceptionally sensitive, it’s really not painful. The lambskin tails are ridiculously soft and I personally just felt them sliding silkily over my skin. It’s like a massage.

And the tails are super sensual–shiny leather on one side and unfinished on the inside. Both feel delicious when they touch the skin and if you hold it under your nose, you can detect the scent of real leather. Sorry vegans. In all, there are 32 tails that are flat strips of lambskin. They’re wrapped in circles around the end of the handle and, I assume, glued. The upper edge of the leather is then wrapped in a silver material that could be metal or painted plastic in four flowery, filigree type designs. In the center of each of these flowers is a crystal. Sadly to say, it took less than five minutes for one of these crystals to fall off after opening the Crystal Whip. I guess it just wasn’t glued on very well. The crystals catch the light and glisten with colour but I don’t think they really add that much to the appearance of this piece. Just my opinion.

The tails are about 2″ longer than the handle itself and are cut to angled points. When swinging, the tails stay together nicely and you don’t have to re-gather them to perform moves such as a figure eight. Because of the petite size of this, it’s super easy to wield and make quick movements that larger floggers would hinder. The handle is the heavier party of this flogger but, as it’s so small, it won’t tired your arm as quickly as heavier floggers or whips.

The tails of this feel so luxurious. I need more leather and suede in my life. I don’t want some bachelor pad but, my God, this is an awesome piece. If you have any interest at all in glass, lambskin, flogging or simply attractive sex/BDSM gear, then the Crystal Whip should go into your cart the next time you visit Babeland.

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Categories: BDSM, Reviews

Pinwheel (Wartenberg Wheel)

August 25th, 2010

Pinwheel

Pinwheel
$14.00 from Good Vibes

The Wartenberg Wheel was originally a medical instrument used to test sensitivity. It has since been adopted by kinksters who enjoy all sorts of stimulation, and many non-kinky sex toy retailers have started to sell it as well, including Good Vibes. They bill it as the pinwheel, which I will use from here on out.

So I asked for the pinwheel, and it showed up shortly thereafter. Immediately, I was surprised by how sharp the pins are. I guess I expected them to be a bit duller and others have said the same. However, I am wondering if different brands of pinwheel (this one’s made my Kookie International) may actually be more dull. I only have one, so I cannot say. Nevertheless, I do know that some brands come with a storage pouch/sheath, and the one that Good Vibes says it does, but mine did not. This is a shame because it’s sharp enough that I’d want to wrap it up to avoid damaging anything else or, Heaven forbid, stepping on it!

Let me back up a bit to describe this. The pinwheel is a long, metal handle with a slightly angled head that holds a wheel consisting of 20 or so metal protrusions or pins. A flathead screw connects the layers of the handle and the wheel itself to allow it to spin. The space around the wheel is enough to allow it to move slightly to the left and right, so there is a bit of wobble, and this causes it to make a metallic sound as well. The pins actually flatten toward the end, so they’re not exactly conical.

I am partnerless so I tried this one on for size myself. I quickly discovered that a super light roll across my upper back tickled in the way that I love. It sent shivers down my spine and created goosebumps that made the touch of the pins painful in a not-so-bad sort of way. It also worked to sensitize my lips (the northern ones). The same light tough was pleasurable along my thighs and outer arms.

Yet, I didn’t really enjoy it on my breasts at all. As I said, the pins are much sharper than I expected. So I have barely tried to apply any pressure at all. However, I can tell that the type of sensation a firmer touch would provide would be more enjoyable with a partner, especially because being aroused typically makes it easier to take more pain. With pressure, you can draw blood, and it becomes more apparent that the pinwheel isn’t perfectly produced. Some of the spokes are a little rough or a bit bent.

That doesn’t stop my mind from racing to determine other ways to use this. Over clothes or fabric? Sure. Heated or cooled? A little side-to-side scratching? If you so desire. If you hold the wheel still, you can use it to poke. And even the typical roll can vary from a steady path that never leaves the skin to quick strokes that pull away from it.

Traditional Wartenberg wheels were stainless steel, but there’s an area on mine where the finish has been scratched off, and I can see something coppery or brassy beneath it. I filed off a speck on the handle, and it seemed to be the same metal throughout. I have no idea what’s going on with that. And it doesn’t affect the functionality in the least, it’s just.. weird.

So, my final thoughts are that this Pinwheel is pretty neat. I don’t know what’s up with the sheath and coating, but I do know you should be careful when dropping it. Don’t catch it and cut yourself.

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Categories: BDSM, Reviews

“Paint Brush” Whip

November 22nd, 2009

Paint Brush Whip

Paint Brush Whip

This product is no longer available.

The Paint Brush Whip is a flogger-esque impact toy, the unique shape of which lends itself better to novel uses than demanding ones. Because the vinyl falls are sewn in two long rows so they land wider on the skin. It’s a unique sensation which is flogger-like, with a twist. This also means that the weight of this whip is distributed differently and it handles differently than a true flogger. I imagine that flogger elitists would be opposed to this because it does wield a bit sloppier than most floggers (not every fall hits the mark and there are always several which seem to have a mind of their own) but if you just want to try something new and don’t mind that this is more novelty than anything else, the Paint Brush Whip is fun.

Made of a hard leather handle and vinyl falls, the Paint Brush Whip is heftier than most of the other impact toys I have tried, despite its relatively short stature. It measures in at only 13″ in overall length, 5.5″ belonging to the falls – rounded strings of vinyl which are blunt cut at the ends – themselves. Of course, this means you must be relatively close to your target which is not necessarily a con, just something to be aware of. In fact, it could be a pro if space is limited.

While the individual strands have some elasticity, because of the material, there is much less as a whole. Combined with the short length, this toy isn’t the best if you want to be able to pull the falls back and let them snap forward. In my opinion, basic over or underhand throws are most efficient. The paintbrush whip is easy enough to use with just a flick of the wrist. Of course, you can use heavier full armed throws if you so choose. Although heavier than other impact tools I’ve used, the Paint Brush Whip is still quite comfortable and easy to use. In fact, I think the weight of the falls makes it easier to throw and maximize sensation. The sensations fall in a light to medium range. They will sting, warm and redden the skin but they are not ferocious.

The vinyl falls were quite stinky, I might add. They don’t smell like phthalates but they definitely smell like something and the smell was strong. I can even still smell it despite the fact that I’m sick (but it has lessened since day one). It might be better to store this whip with a little space, not locked up tight with other toys which may take on the scent. Luckily, it can be hung with the provided loop, sewn into the handle, so it can be aired out easily while stored. The loop is too small to wear around the wrist, however. Also, it’s sewn in permanently and nonremovable. The loop is also where the tag was attached. It was the shape of a paint bucket with metallic purple paint “spilling” out and was quite pretty.

The leather of the handle is quite firm. Like the slapper I just reviewed, it’s two pieces sewn together near the edge. Unlike the slapper, however, the sewing is much messier. There are loose threads in a few places and more than one place where sewing errors are visible. It seems that, in these places, the sewing just backtracked and went through the holes one more. It’s definitely not as nice looking at the slapper.

The falls are attached through the widest edge (3″) – which gives this piece its paintbrush appearance – and there is an additional row of stitching to secure them. For my purposes, I think the paintbrush whip will hold up well but I wouldn’t expect it to last a lifetime. Where the falls are pressed between the layers of leather, the handle is thicker and it thins toward the opposite end. There does seem to be some sort of reinforcement between the layers in the narrow part (1 1/4″ wide) of the handle, which makes it the firmest part of this whip. The narrow part also has “Sportsheets” etched into it which actually looks pretty neat. Although the leather is fairly smooth, the handle widens just a bit at the end, which makes it more secure to hold.

Although I do not anticipate having to clean the Paint Brush Flogger much, I would simply wipe it down with a damp cloth and pat it dry.

Ultimately, I found the sensations of the Paint Brush Whip by Sportsheets to be unique. I enjoyed using it but recognize that it’s perhaps not the best example of a flogger overall, because of its unique design. If unique is your thing, give it a try but if you are one of the aforementioned flogger elitists, I might get something a bit more traditional.

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Categories: BDSM, Reviews

Fur 12″ Slapper

November 20th, 2009

Fur 12" Slapper

Fur 12" Slapper
$32.64 from Amazon

To say I was excited when I first saw the 12″ Fur Slapper would be an understatement. In fact, all of the pieces in the line are so alluring. Never mind that my husband and I decided to go blue for all our BDSM purchases; I certainly didn’t when I requested this piece for review. Getting to know this slapper has been interesting. It’s generally well made with even and clean stitching, no obvious flaws and even a leather strap attached to the handle for hanging or wearing during use. The leather is stiff and reinforced with “spring steel” which makes the slapper feel more like a paddle but, at only 12″ in length, it’s unlike any true paddle I’ve ever seen (and easy to store).

With one side lined in purple fur, it doesn’t look intimidating in the least which made it appealing to me. It’s also aesthetically pleasing but, as others have mentioned, a wider range of fur colours would be great. Currently, we’ll be sticking with the furred side which does help to sooth the blows and reduces the possibility of marks or bruising (if that’s a concern). It still does pack a bit of a punch with harder blows. Compared the Kookie Riding Crop I recently reviewed, the pain is more diffuse and heavier. The fur also muffles the sound. It sounds something like clapping chalkboard erasers together. Of course, you can deal pain-free taps instead of heavy-handed strikes. Alternatively, the fur side can be used to soothe tender flesh, as a light rubdown tool or, the way I’ve used it most, to tickle. This makes it a pretty versatile tool and it allows to make every playtime with the Fur 12″ Slapper unique.

The fur is obviously the draw of this piece, and it feels pretty nice on the skin. However, it is rather short and.. fake. It’s not really as silky as I was expecting; I guess I wanted something a bit more like my rabbit fur flogger, but the fur on this slapper just feels not real. Of course, fake fur can absolutely feel great. I’ve had some stuffed animals whose coats were quite luxurious and I think just making the fur a bit longer would make it that much more pleasurable. The fur on this tool is about 1/4″ long and can be fluffed up by running a hand against the ‘grain’ of the fur but there’s still not much there to be fluffed. Again, it’s not bad, just not as great as I expected.

If you are a fan of bigger pain, the smooth leather side may better suit your needs. Without the fur, the sensation is definitely more intense, and there is quite a bit of sting. Thud lovers may be a bit disappointed but they would probably invest in a different tool (a wood paddle, perhaps). There is some give in this slapper, but the stiffness of the leather and steel combined with over 1/4″ thickness makes it firmer than I thought and firmer than more true slappers. It seems to be a bit of a hybrid piece. The bare side also is much louder, making a slapping sound when it meets flesh.

No matter the strength I choose to exert, wielding this slapper is quite easy. The handle is long enough that I can just wrap both of my fists around it, end to end. It’s thin enough that it’s easy to grip but tapers toward the end so you won’t lose it too easily. It feels like the fur end is heavier and gravity helps pull it down without using as much strength on my part. There’s a leather strap through a secure grommet in the end. I can see the usefulness of this for storage if you have hooks (I don’t but maybe I should throw some command hooks up on the inside of the closet door) but I found it awkward during use. If I looped it around my wrist, it limited the mobility of my hand and I had to take the time to remove the loop. I’ll probably risk flinging the slapper across the room (a la Wii-mote) than have to continuously remove/replace it on my wrist.

Plus, its small sizes make it easy to store. Hell, I could just throw it between my mattress and box spring without a worry.

When it comes to construction, I was pretty impressed. As I mentioned, the stitching is done well. I cannot pinpoint any flaws, and there are no loose threads like I could see on a similar piece I own. The two leather pieces are sewn snugly together and the edges are cut flat. The purple fur is about 5.5″ long and just meets the edge of the widest part (2″) of the slapper. It is sewn (and hardily) on 3 sides using the same thread that holds together the entire slapper. However, the fourth end (which is one of the shorter ends) is loose, which could result in tearing if it gets caught on something. It probably won’t happen, but it’s something that kind of bothers me, and I’d at least like it glued down. Although I haven’t had the need to clean the Fur 12″ Slapper, I would probably it down with a damp cloth. Easy enough.

My complaints about the Fur 12″ Slapper are not major. The cord and fur issues really fall into the realm of personal preference. It’s well made, affordable and, although small, can be used for a variety of sensations. It would be well placed in anyone’s toy box.

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Categories: BDSM, Reviews

lingerie

Kookie Riding Crop

November 17th, 2009

Kookie Riding Crop

Kookie Riding Crop
$24 from Babeland

This is an archived review of a discontinued item. You can try this silicone crop or Sportsheets crop, instead.

Riding crops are sleek. I’ve never been an equestrian but so are horses. I suppose someone thought the same thing about humans to adapt the tool.. Or maybe not. Just a conjecture.

I do know a bit more about playing with riding cops after playing with my very first one, the Kookie Riding Crop from Babeland. I know that the Kookie Crop is made of a handle attached to a nylon-covered shaft, which is then secured to a piece of folded-over leather to make the tongue. The handle is made of a firm plastic or silicone piece, which is textured and has a lightly engraved diamond pattern, which makes it easy to hold even under slipper circumstances. The braided cover of the rod is secure and neat, and the leather of the tongue is thin, unfinished on the inside (although I’m not sure why anyone would be feeling it other than for review purposes), and sewn in an arc around the shaft with contrasting thread. At its widest, it’s only 1.5″ wide and the thin “neck” of that piece is then further secured by a thin piece of string which is wrapped countless times around the tongue and shaft. It seems like the string was then treated with something to make it quite hard and firm. Overall, the quality is decent. For only, $18, this seem to be a good starter crop that will like a while, if not forever.

I was a bit surprised at the overall length of this crop, admittedly. I expected something a bit longer and a quick glance at a variety of crops shows that many are in the 24″-25″ range. However, the Kookie Crop is not far off at 18.5″ in length. I do think the slightly shorter shaft makes it a bit less flexible than other crops. I’m not positive because I’m quite the amateur in this; it just seems like a longer shaft would allow for a bit more flexibility but it could just seem that way. Either way, the tongue can be pulled back about 30 degrees – which seems to be a good amount of flexibility without becoming floppy – and then released to flick. That flick is definitely noticeable but, because of the length, this method seems to work better, the closer I am to the target and it certainly cannot be used too far away because the crop simply won’t reach.

Of course, I was surprised at other methods this toy can be used. The generic method is to simply flick a wrist at arm’s length but my pathetically weak wrists couldn’t deliver a blow nearly as powerful as using my whole arm. This was the method I had to use to get a good feel of the crop when using it on myself. I guess that’s good news for those solo BDSMers; you can easily bend yourself over and swing away. My experience was that swings focusing more on the leather-only part of the tongue were less intense than swings that involve the end of the shaft.

I was actually quite surprised at the range of sensation provided by the Kookie Riding Crop when used in the traditional manner. It can be used to simply tap, not cause any pain at all. Even my medium to strong strikes were bearable (at least on my ass), the marks outlasting the pain by far. The feeling would be more intense on more sensitive parts, of course, but it could be used comfortably on the vulva area, I think. I found the aftermath provided a sort of warmth and hypersensitivity to the area struck. Actually, I might be more of a masochist than I knew because that feeling is great! The feel of the strike itself feels much like a slap and stings like one as well.

Alternatively, one could focus on using just the edge of the tongue with a quick back and forth motion which feels more like frictional (I had to look up that adjective; wouldn’t frictious sound better?) rubbing. It’s not quite intense and becomes like an uncomfortable chafing after prolonged exposure. Lastly, the handle can be used for impact, like sort of a makeshift cane. The blows from the handle definitely feel heavier. I suppose that is what it meant when one describes “thuddy” impacts. I imagine this method would more quickly result in bruises, and it’s the type of pain I definitely do not like in any sense, although some surely do.

Of course, the stiff leather tongue wasn’t nearly as fun to run over the skin for general sensation play. Other toys with suede, premium leather or even fur are better for that. The handle could be used for penetration but it’s thin enough that it would leave me unimpressed unless there was a specific goal that I am not creatively enough endowed to think of.

When it comes to wielding a crop, I was definitely impressed. This lightweight instrument is so completely easy to use and really isn’t taxing at all. I completely understand the description on the product page when it says it “will have you betting to see which lasts longer–your arm or their ass.” I also love the slapping sound, which makes it fun for striking all sorts of things when a partner is blindfolded to make them jump. There’s lots of potential for mind fuckery. It’s a treat for the eyes as well, leaving quite the skin bright red without much effort at all.

Overall, the Kookie Riding Crop is a steal. It does what it advertises well but doesn’t do much more. I’m not sure why Babeland needs to ship it in a giant, 3″ long prism box, however. It dwarfed the lonely crop inside (which I do not believe was further packaged, nor did it have any tags/info) and I’m sure there are smaller, less wasteful ways to send it – like a poster tube, perhaps.

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Categories: BDSM, Reviews

Kinklab leather wrist cuffs – black

October 23rd, 2009

Kinklab leather wrist cuffs - black

Kinklab leather wrist cuffs - black
$35.95 from Store.OfSexAndLove.com

I recently reviewed the Kinklab Padded Leather Blindfold. Aside from some minor pinching and slipping, it was a good piece, basic but functional. That’s pretty much how I’d sum up their leather wrist cuffs as well. They arrived in a similar plastic tube, from which I had to pry off the cap and on which is an image of the cuffs in use (but it’s not obscene).

Out of the tube, I saw that these cuffs do not have the common belt buckle style closure, which Kinklab calls “self keeping.” Rather, when you wrap it around your wrist, the bottom layer has a pseudo-D ring that slips through the slit of your choice on the overlapping piece. Then, a thin strip of leather is pulled through that D-ring, over the hole to secure it in place. Given enough space, you could potentially loop the strap through other holes for extra security. It’s not foolproof; if that is your goal, you can slip a padlock or something similar through the ring. On the other side is another ring that can be used to attach the cuffs to restraints or each other.

Of course, no locks or connectors are included. This was easily remedied with a trip to Lowe’s and, eventually, Walmart. It doesn’t mean the cuffs are bad per se, but that would be nice, especially because the staples are not like other D-rings or O-rings I’ve experienced. In fact, they’re not really rings are all but are open and shaped something like the Greek Omega with longer feet. Because of this unique shape, these staples are definitely smaller than I am used to, and some hardware may not fit.

The staples and the leather strap are all fastened with metal rivets which seem quite secure. In fact, these cuffs look pretty unassuming and weren’t quite as pleasing to the eye as I might have liked, but I was surprised at how well they held up while I had my husband restrained. Despite much thrashing and movement, the rivets stayed secure, and the cuffs never came open. However, we played probably just over an hour, and the thin leather straps were definitely coming loose. Eventually, the cuffs would have given way. Still, I’m surprised by how well they did hold without using a lock. Of course, some people would find this design a positive because it can easily be undone by fingers, teeth or even toes.

Over this time, he never complained of any discomfort, either. The edges are blunt, and the leather itself is malleable enough to wear comfortably, but they’re also not buttery soft as I have heard some leather described. The outside is shiny and smooth, while the inside of the cuffs are unfinished but relatively soft. The cuffs fit him well, on the third hole or so, with a bit of room to spare. They are cut to fit a range of 5.5″ to 7″, which is right in the middle, but those with smaller or larger wrists will be out of luck. Kinklab’s black leather wrist cuffs are just not meant to accommodate everyone.

Yet, they even surpassed my husband’s expectations. He expected to have bruises in the morning; however, there were none to be found. I don’t think there were any marks to be found, even immediately after playing, and this definitely eases his mind.

For less than $40, the quality and performance of the Kinklab leather wrist cuffs are absolutely acceptable. I would recommend them to anyone just starting out when it comes to bondage or anyone who finds themselves needing a bit more than the “kinky kits” usually contain. I would eventually like to make more of an investment, but, for now, these are great.

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Categories: BDSM, Reviews

Make love to your long distance lover online

Kinklab padded leather blindfold

October 16th, 2009

Kinklab padded leather blindfold

Kinklab padded leather blindfold
$33 from Store.OfSexAndLove.com

Update: I have even accidentally put this through the washing machine, and it’s held up pretty well!

Since my husband’s return, I’ve made more of an effort to get into BDSM which meant I needed a quality blindfold (and more “hardcore” cuffs but that’s something else entirely). Kinklab’s Padded Leather Blindfold seemed to fit the bill. It was contoured to fit the face better than cheap “sleep mask” type blindfolds and was affordably priced in the $20 like many leather blindfolds.

The padded leather blindfold arrived in a functional plastic tube container. On each end is a black plastic cap, while the tube itself is clear. There is a paper insert with the product name and a picture of a woman wearing it, which isn’t explicit but does indicate the nature of the product. I thought I could pull off the top of the container by the little loop, but it broke. Instead, I had to press in the sides to break the seal and then pop it off. It’s very secure, which is good but a little bit of a hassle if you want to use it for storage; however, it’s a decent storage solution because the loop (if you don’t break it off) makes it able to be hung.

As the name suggests, this blindfold is padded and leather. The front side is a stiffer leather and you can see the stitches, in black, around the edge. The sewing is well done without any loose threads. The back, which sits against the face, has a softer padding where it would sit across the eyes. The edges are flush and flat feeling; they’re not silky soft or uncomfortable. The elastic strap is securely stitched to either side; on one side is also a clothing-style tag with the Kinklab label, which also says it’s made in the USA.

During use, I found my eyes to be comfortable but the edges above the nose and toward the side applied pressure to my face. I could feel the stiffer leather around the edges where there was no padding. My husband did not experience this problem, however; I would attribute this to specific facial builds and the fact that the blindfold seems to be pretty big; at its widest, it’s nearly 3″ tall, which seems pretty big to me, and the bridge is over 1″ thick which I think is the cause of my personal discomfort. Of course, I do have a smaller face than some. This mask is bound to fit some people better than others.

This is especially true because it is secured by a simple elastic strap. Lying flat, the blindfold measures in at right around 20″ and I’d say you can get 4″ or so stretch from it but anyone who falls out of that range is out of luck. The blindfold could probably be sewn or otherwise manipulated for smaller headed folks but it’s not meant to be adjustable. Otherwise, this 3/4″ thick strap is made of a soft, elastic that’s fairly comfortable.

This blindfold is pretty effective at blacking out light. Because it is contoured, I can pull it a bit lower on my nose, and I cannot see any light or movement around the eyes or nose. I could see the vaguest light toward the side of the blindfold but it’s really not enough to detect movement. Unfortunately, it’s more comfortable for me to wear this blindfold higher, which negates that property, but my husband didn’t experience that as an issue.

One issue I do have is that, no matter how you cut it, this blindfold is not foolproof. Because of the give in the elastic band, my husband was able to rub his head against the bed to remove the strap. This is perhaps not the best blindfold for a feisty partner. Then again, this freedom can work well for someone who is a bit anxious about playing with a blindfold. A buckle style blindfold might work better for my purposes.

Overall, the Kinklab padded leather blindfold is good quality and effective at blocking out light. I found it to be a little stiff initially so I hope it softens over time; this will definitely improve the comfort issues I had. Although it’s not super secure, it’s generally a good multipurpose accessory for BDSM play.

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Categories: BDSM, Reviews

Image © MisterUnlucky; used with permission.