Leather Rose

The McHurt Leather Rose with Black Petals

Vendor: McHurt

Happy Valentine’s Day! Regardless if you are giving in to the social and commercial pressure to do something special, intentionally ignore the day, do something for carnival or were ignorant of both occasions, I hope you are having an awesome day.

If you are in Berlin, have forgotten the day and need something quick & kinky to show your perverted loved one(s) that they have a special place in your heart or hole, here’s a short review of something so cute, it hurts.

Construction

The core of this impact toy is a 2mm thick metal wire which is approximately 33cm long. At the bottom it is bent into a slightly oval loop with a diameter of about 4cm. At the tip sits a 6cm long and 4cm wide blossom so the overall length of the toy is 43cm.

The entire shaft and loop is covered with soft black leather wrapping around it. About one third and two thirds up the shaft rhombus shaped leather pieces are tugged into the wrapping leather. On a whip, they could serve as small slappers. But here they serve as leaves. Because of this they are made out of slightly stiffer leather to hold the shape. The shaft is lacking any thorns which makes the toy easy to handle since you do not have to think about accidentally hitting or grabbing one.

The Bloom made out of Layered Soft Leather

The bloom is made out of 12 small roughly rose-petal shaped pieces of soft leather. Like petals the leather pieces are arranged in layers which are increasingly tighter wrapped together. Around the bloom five lancet shaped pieces of leather imitating the sepal of a rose (it is always amazing the things I learn while researching for these reviews). While the sepal are always black, the petals come in black, red, rose, lilac, crème, white and burgundy.

Playing with the Leather Rose

When I introduced yet another kinkster to McHurt two weeks ago, I saw a vase full of differently colored roses on the counter. Thinking it would be a nice novelty item for some shenanigans, I gave in to the impulse buy placement and took one with me. While it sat on my desk, I played around with it to occupy my idle fingers while doing creative work and soon discovered that is was a rather decent and versatile small impact toy.

The Leaves Coming out of the Leather Wrapped Stem

The sensation of the two ends are also the endpoints of the sensation quality spectrum. The bloom has a very soft, almost sensual impact. The laying of the soft leather pieces create are cushions between them. When hitting, the dampen the impact so even when hitting hard, there is almost no sting. Though when hitting hard, the air being squeezed out makes an impressive sound. Size-wise the bloom comes close to the tongue of a riding crop making it ideal for hitting small areas like the nipples, glans, individual balls or the delicate area between thighs and ass. I would actually call this rose a good BDSM beginner’s toy who want to approach play from a sensual point of view. Trailing the edges of the petals over the body is great sensation play. Once you have reached your desired impact area, simply hit for a nice carrot and stick play.

A completely different game is when you stop hitting with the blossom and start using the rest. The stem can be used to target small body areas. Yet depending on where they are located, the blossom will also hit, leading to unfocussed sensations. Due to the leather wrapping, the impact sensation is medium-intense with a bit of sting. It can be dampened even more if a leather leave is between the body and the shaft.

The Delightfully Nasty Loop at the Bottom of the Shaft

Despite the loop at the bottom being made out of the same metal wire and leather cover as the shaft, the sensation of it hitting the skin is drastically different! It is a sharp sting. While not as intense as a cane of a single tail, rapid repeated hitting with it can become very painful very quickly. Because of this, you have a surprising wide range of sensations in a small toy, from sensual caressing over light thuddy teasing to almost lightning sharp sting.

Technically you can snap this toy and hit pretty hard with it. But inside the core is simple metal wire not spring steel. Since the wire is relatively thin, it will quickly bend and the stem will not look straight anymore. So it comes done how do you see this item: As a novelty item which is supposed to look good and maybe start a conversation, then don’t snap. As a toy which is getting used and will change shape over time, start hitting HARD.

Conclusion: Surprisingly versatile and inexpensive toy, perfect as a small gift to bring to a kinky party
Pro Cons Where to get Price
Wide range of possible sensations Will bend out of shape when used heavily (which is not really a con because the toys was not designed for this) McHurt 14€
Easy to handle
Small
Inexpensive

Mini-Punch

McHurt Mini-Punch Padded Impact Toy

Vendor: McHurt

Over the next couple of days a large population of (gay) kinksters will migrate to Berlin for Folsom Europe – if you are not even there already. So with this review I want to draw your attention to my first ever visited and still one of my absolute favorite kink stores in the whole world – McHurt. Located in Tempelhof, close to the U-bahn station Alt-Tempelhof on the U6, it is a bit of a journey from the gayborhood. But if you are interested in unique BDSM toys, especially impact toys like paddles and whips, make the journey! My playroom houses more than 50 toys from them and still every time I find something innovative, something that creates a new sensation that still adds to my impressive collection of sensory tools! If you want to see some of those in action, find me at Quälgeist from Friday through Sunday.

And now, without further ado, let’s look at this paddle.

The D-ring housed between the multiplay Layers of Bridle Leather

Construction

The basis of this paddle is a spatula shaped paddle made out of four massive layers of bridle leather. They are glued and sown together, burnished and deburred for a really solid, smooth and quality feel. For added rigidity a stiff metal spring is housed between the layers of leather. At the bottom the middle layers create a loop to house an elongated D-ring for easy storage.

On this mini version the handle is 13cm long before it tapers over 2cm length into a 8.5cm diameter round head. On the backside both the handle and head are just smooth bridle leather. On the top sits a 7.5cm diameter half-sphere of garment leather covered firm foam. While the handle is always black, the garment leather cover comes on black and burgundy.

The Thickly Padded Half-Sphere

Playing with the Mini-Punch

Back in the day, McHurt used to have plenty of padded toys with different degrees of firmness and impact area size. making the store a Mecca for people who were into soft, thuddy impact play. Especially for beginners who think that impact play is just (stingy) pain, these toys were perfect. They showed them that impact play could be anything between just a light thuddy massage and excruciating pain. Overall, these toys were perfect for warmup. As far as I know – with Slingking closed down – nowadays, the (Mini-)Punch is the only padded paddle available, so let’s see how it works as a – soft – impact toy.

The Small Handle that fits Perfeclty into the Hand

Despite working with rather firm foam/ padding, the Mini-Punch’s padded punch is quite dampened. Hitting with it does not create sting at all. Because of this, the (Mini-)Punch is good for warm-up. Yet due to the half-sphere shape, you have to work a bit to spread the impact over the entire warm-up area. So it takes some time to properly warm-up the ass and tights.

While the impact is dampened through the foam, repeated, especially high frequency impacts at the same spot can quickly become painful. It is not the lightning pain of sting, but a dragging, lasting one. If you really put some punch into the impacts, the Mini-Punch can be quite a bruiser. So be careful if the impacted body area is visible. The small form factor invites to hit body areas you would otherwise not hit, like the back of a boot worshipping sub. Please apply the same sensibility like with a thuddy flogger and only heavily hit well padded or bone guarded body areas to avoid injuries of the organs.

The Mini-Punch’s Smooth Side for a Stingy Sensation

The mini form makes the Mini-Punch a good toy for CBT, especially ball slapping. For this, only the smooth side works. The ball-shape pushes the balls away instead of delivering meaningful impact. The smooth side is just small enough to be great for large area bastinado or targeting the very sensitive area between thighs and ass. Due to the leather being so dense and stiff, the pain is quite stingy. Bating a sub with the nice, thuddy side and switching to the painful stingy one is quite easy because the handle is so small and fits easily between two fingers.

As the name indicates, there is also a Maxi-, on in this case simple Punch. The larger version has an overall length of 35cm and the padded halfsphere has a diameter of 10cm. When I bought this toy, I intentionally went for the mini version. It is more nimble, perfect for targeting small body areas like the balls, thighs or soles of the feet. Of course, when you want to warm up a large body area like the ass cheeks, the Punch is better. But all things considered I find the Mini-Punch more versatile. If you look for a lazy top toy, the Punch might be for you since the longer handle can develop more momentum.

Conclusion: Thuddy bruiser with a nasty side.
Pro Cons Where to get Price
Thick and firm padding for deep thud Very focused impact of the padded side McHurt Mini-Punch: 39€

Punch: 54€

Small & nimble
Very Well made
D-ring for storage

Very Useful Clip

The House of Basciano Very Useful Snaps. Once you have one, you need more!

Vendor: House of Basciano

Construction

The core of this bondage tool are two leather straps glued and sown atop of each other. Both layers are made out of high quality leather which is very smooth and flexible. The edges are folded inside, creating a smooth piping. By folding and riveting it, the straps create notches to hold two D-rings and two trigger snaps. The welded stainless steel D-rings have a width of 2.5cm and a height of 2cm. The 360° turnable trigger snaps are sadly only die cast; stainless steel ones are ridiculously expensive. But still, they are very sturdy, easy to open and completely rounded and smooth. Their eyelet has a diameter of 1.2cm and an opening aperture of 1.6cm.

The leather strap has a length of 7cm, leading to an overall length of 16.5cm between the inside of the snaps’ apex. House of Basciano is famous for their customization or made to measure works. So if you need a longer one, they can probably make it. A shorter one is hardly possible due to everything being so close together already.

When I bought this bondage tool in 2022 there was only one configuration: Black leather, black stitching and silver hardware. Now, like most other gear from House of Basciano, you can configure it freely in every leather and stitching color they offer and even with black hardware which looks pretty cool.

The Trigger Snap Housed by a Two Layer Leather Strap

Playing with the Very Useful Clip

In what follows I will reference rope as the bondage medium. But these clips work also well with tension straps up to a width up to 20mm (16mm are better because of the eyelet diameter). With these clips you can perpendicularly connect tension straps in a fixed position. If you use tension straps to connect tension straps, they usually move because the material is so smooth. But if you clip one of these tools parallel onto a strap, the friction keeps it in place and you can use the D-ring for a perpendicular connection.

The most interesting form of bondage they enable is with bungee cords. Using the trigger snaps and D-rings, you can wrap the cords around a body in a way other bondage tools like shackles, carabiners and rigging plates cannot achieve. Since bungee cords are flexible, the sub can move, struggle against them, trying to escape his strap cocoon. But they are quite strong and a surprisingly low number of cords can restraint a strong man.

After buying these tools at trip to Inferno, I took them to a rope bondage class, trying to find access to this art. As person who is into quick and functional bondage and who sees no inherent value in the fettering process and just being bound, I hoped that this course would change my mind. It did not, but it brought up some interesting opinions about this tool. Pure/ old guard rigger called it a “cheat code”, it quickly won favors with the low dexterity crowd (which I was a part off) and people who are into function, yet elaborately restraining rope bondage. Naturally, the two clips allow to easily connect two pieces of rope or add one or two anchoring points. Incorporating the Very Useful Clip into an thigh rope rigging around the body can be a bit uncomfortable. While the leather of the body is soft, flexible and bends easily, the inside D-ring can apply some uncomfortable pressure, especially when pressed against a bone or joint. Due to their 360° turn ability, the trigger snaps are surprisingly comfortable. Just make sure that the lever does not press into the skin!

The Die Cast Trigger Snaps turn 360°

The trigger snaps hold shut astonishing well, even when put under perpendicular pressure. You can run rope through the eyelets of the snaps for tightening without forcing them open. Both sides of the trigger snaps close so evenly and tightly that rope runs through them smoothly and without damaging the rope, making them perfect for every lever-style setup.

That being said, they are neither strong enough nor certified for any load baring or even human suspension! For every kind of suspension bondage, only use certified climbing carabiners. While you can use these clips for incorporating toys or making interesting weaves, they must never be used in the basic rigging which holds the body and its limbs suspended.

Beyond rope and tension strap bondage, these small tools are nifty when playing outside your playroom. You can easily daisy-chain them to bridge a small distance between provided the anchoring point and restraint. In chain frames or webs with undeburred links (yes, such thinks still exist, especially in locations which are not BDSM centered and want to offer inexpensive play “furniture”) they can provide smooth anchoring points which does not damage rope or tension straps. In rope nets and webs, you can easily add D-rings as anchoring points using them.

The Pair of Welded Stainless Steel D-ring

When I showed the clips around among friends and gave them a demonstration, they were amazed how easily they could improve their bondage game. Suddenly, with tension straps and even bungee cords, elaborate bondage setups were possible. So I was asked if I would say they could replace a rope bondage workshop. My answer to that is no, they most definitively not a rope bondage workshop obsolete. While you can skip many of the connection, weaving and knotting techniques, a rope bondage workshop is more than that. At such workshops you also learn about how and how far you can twist and bend the human body how bondage can impact circulation and other important safety and security knowledge.

So, my conclusion is, like with every toy that makes play easier, do not let yourself be pushed by convenience and possibilities. Stay within your experience level and comfort zone, even if the your and your sub’s horniness might push you further. Slowly and gradually experiment and extend what you can and want to do and if in doubt err on the side of caution.

If you keep that in mind, the Very Useful Clip is indeed a very useful clip. They have become a standard equipment in my toy bag next to the climbing carabiners and the rigging plate.

Conclusion: Very useful and versatile bondage tool to enhance your rope game
Pro Cons Where to get Price
Allows for more creative (rope) bondage setup Trigger snaps are only die cast House of Basciano $16.95
Very well made & sturdy
Two D-rings

The Beast

The Beast from McHurt – an Extremely Vicious Impact Toy

Vendor: McHurt

Time flies quickly when you are having fun – or are just busy with daytime work. When I wrote in my Christmas greetings that posts would be infrequent, I did not anticipate a spontaneous two month break. Sorry for that! If you want to keep up with my busy (kink) life, follow me on Bluesky and Instagram as I don’t use the hell hole Twitter has become not anymore.

Since I left things before the break with a… colorful toy, I decided to kick things off again with an intense implement from one of my favorite kink stores.

Construction

The Beast is a very narrow and long impact toy, measuring 58x4cm. At the bottom there is a 18.5cm long section of four layers of bridle leather which taper towards the middle of the section, forming an ergonomic grip space. Due to the four layers, it has a nice thickness and rests easily in the hand. Towards the bottom is a hole through which a piece of soft leather is threaded, serving as a loop.

The long shaft is made out of two layers of bridle leather. It tapers slowly over 26cm to a 2.5cm wide neck and then extended again for a 13.5cm long and 4cm wide head. The last third of this section is split in two spike-shaped prongs, almost like devil horns. A piece of very flexible spring steel keeps the shaft in place. Once properly broken in, the head will probably flap more, develop momentum and become even more vicious than the toy already is.

Simple Loop for Securing the Toy to the Wrist or Storing It

Like all the leather impact toys I have bought from McHurt over the years (which are dozens…), the finish of this toy is top notch! The seam running around the edge is flawless. All edges (except the inside of the prongs) are deburred, rounded and burnished.

There are different leather and stitching color options in “traditional kink colors” like black, bordeaux and tan. Sometimes new colors are added, sometimes due to being a small store in Berlin with a limited stock room specific colors are out of stock. So best check out their website which colors are currently available.

Playing with the Beast

As written above, the Beast is a real beast, an impact toy for experienced masochists and somewhat patient sadist due to the handling of the toy.

The soft spring steel inside gives this paddle uncommon ergonomics by keeping the shaft straight yet making the momentum bouncy. One swing back and forth almost takes half a second. You have to synchronize the blows with the momentum of the spring. If you increase the frequency or want to hit when the spring is swinging back, the shaft starts to wobble, making it a bit hard to control. So you are stuck with about two hits per second.

If you can live with these constraints, the Beast is a vicious pack of nasty fun! It is probably the most intense leather impact toy in my entire collection.

Flawless Stichting, Rounded, Deburred and Burnished Edges all Around the Toy…

Like with all toys, you can tap lightly. But being made out of bridle leather, the sensation will still be some sting. But due to the low frequency and the small impact area, this toy cannot be used properly for warm-up. It simply takes too long to cover a large area like the ass. But to be frank, this is not what the toy was designed for.

Adding more kinetic energy will turn the light sting of hard leather hitting the skin into a flash light sharp pain. This toy is pure, intense sting! Adding a little more force with drastically increase the pain. The Beast is a punisher, almost a lazy top toy, which with little force creates big pain. Without warm-up, one strike can lead to tears. Because of that I consider it an end-of-scene toy. In order to enjoy it, endorphins must be flowing generously already.

The regular frequency of the hits has something almost meditative. Swinging the Beast feels a bit like a pain metronome. It is a unique experience both for the top and the sub. In my experience, this structure helps the sub get to where he wants to be if he is not quite there yet. On the other hand of the flow spectrum, if you are ambidextrous, you can use this against the sub. Let him sink into the abyss of regular, intense blows and switch to a different mean toy like a cane or a rubber threat and rip him out of his agony-made cocoon.

… Except for the Inside and Tips of the Prongs which ad a Scratching Sensation

The intensity can be varied about by adjusting the impact area. Naturally most sting will be dealt out when just hitting with the head. Since there is spring inside it and the prongs reducing the air resistance, it adjust to the surface it hits, delivering maximum pain. But since the spring steel is so flexible, you can even hit more voluminous areas like the ass or thighs with the toy wrapping around it. It actually is one of the few paddles I you have to worry about wrap-arounds once broken in.

When testing this toy, I started thinking whether the sharp edges of the prongs are actually a feature. They are not that sharp to break the skin but especially at the tips, you can feel a scratch and bite, enhancing the sensation repertoire of this toy. If you tap or sweep with just the tips, you can leave some light scratch marks. Considering that this is an intense impact toy for experienced players, I lean towards thinking of it as feature, not a bug.

Conclusion: Extremely intense impact toy with unusual ergonomics.
Pro Cons Where to get Price
Low energy delivers intense sensation Swing dictates hit frequency McHurt 56€
Comfortable to hold
Unique meditative quality
Very well made

Short Kantschu

The Short Kantschu from Peitschenhandel

Vendor: Peitschenhandel

Construction
Originally the Kantschu was a braided single tail whip popular in the Slavic regions of Europe. Through the conquest of the Osmanic Empire this punishment tool mades it way to Turkey too. What sets it apart from other whips is the elongated two piece slapper which creates the characteristic “plop” when it hits the skin,

The Short Kantschu turns the whip into a paddle like toy. Like on a traditional Kantschu two pieces of leather have been braided in Chevron pattern around – in this paddle instance – a rigid yet flexible spring. At the top sits at 3x16cm large slapper. The two pieces of thin cover leather have been sown onto a double layer of “core” leather. The edges are not beburred, burnished or beveled which would have been nice. But considering the price and the manual labor which already went into making this toy, I can understand why this corner was cut. The core leather is a bit stiff and firm but I did not encounter chaffing or had a sub complain about an unintended sensation. So it should be ok,

Like on a whip, the shaft ends in a braided pommel which makes a good grip. It also helps create excellent balance. The tipping point is exactly one palm width above the pommel. The woven leather covering the pommel also holds a braided leather loop in place.

The Red and Black Chevron Braiding

There are two lengths available. A really short one with the overall length of 36cm and the one which I have at 47cm. The slapper has the same size on both models. Both lengths come in five color options: black, black & red, black & white, black & yellow and black & blue.

Play with the Short Kantschu

Many people are a bit afraid of single tails. They are hard to master and the two piece slapper of the traditional Kantschu makes that particular whip even more difficult to control. The Short Kantschu is an easy to handle alternative. To easy, off the rack usability contributes the single-piece slapper. Yes, you lose the double clap sensation and sounds of the ususal Kantschu slapper. But in this configuration you can easily target hits. And the iconic impact sound is still somewhat here.

The Multilayer Single Piece Slapper

With a bit of practice you can very precisely target specific body areas. The nimbleness of the short shaft in combination with the narrow slapper allows you to hit small areas to target like nipples, where the thigh meets the ass cheeks or the soles of the feet.

Practice is also necessary to unleash the full range of sensation contained inside this toy. Despite the firm leather inside the slapper, the Short Kantschu is not awfully stingy. In light to medium intensity it has a nice, gentle bite. But to really make it HURT you have to put some energy in and hit the same spot repeatedly. Through the spring inside, it can develop a nice momentum when (lightly) tapping. With some constrains, it can even be used for warmup – and without restrains it can bring someone to tears. But it takes practice to fully explore this toy and uncover the nuances inside.

The Pommel with Braided Loop

For me personally, this short Kantschu has replaced riding crops in most of my scenes. Being as short as most paddles, it can easily be used in closed quarters where a whip could never work. But the large slapper makes it easier to target even under difficult light scenarios. The wide range of sensations from a friendly smack up to bringing FOCUS into a scene makes a light carry for a wide range of different scenarios. Being so “soft” and focussed, I sometimes use this impact implement to hit the cheeks of a sub. This is a very strong and intense and culturally loaded practice so make sure to get explicit consent for it. But doing it is a very powerful act I would not dare to do with a whip or paddle.

Conclusion: Targeted and easy to handel whip-turned-paddle
Pro Cons Where to get Price
Wide range of sensation … in others corners are being cut Peitschenhandel Kurzer (kurzer) Kantschu: 53.95€

Kurzer Kantschu: 59.95€

Easy to handle and well balanced
In some parts great craftsmanship…

Latigo Slapper

Vendor: Bare Leatherworks

The Bare Leatherworks Fullsize Latigo Slapper


This toy came second in last week’s which-toy-to-review poll on Bluesky and Insta. So let’s see if it is any good.
Construction
Being the slapper, the impact part of this toy is a long loop of stiff 6mm thick latigo leather. The edges are deburred so there are not accidental chafes. The toy comes in three length: The full size which I have bought with 42cm slapper length, the midsize with 25cm and the handy size with 15cm. At different summer camp I had the chance to play with all three length.

The leather belt is attached to a comfortable handle. On the handy size, the handle is 18cm long in total; on the full and midsize 23.5cm. The handle follows a classic flogger design. At the top, three sets of three screws attach the leather strap to the central rod, thus forming a bit of a top “knot”. The slapper is eqipped with what Bare Leatherworks calls a “ProGrip”. Other than on the smooth default handle style on the ProGrip a thick wire runs around the central core to texture it for better grip. The lining received an upgrade: Previously the grip was covered in rubber (like on their massage flogger). Over time it became a bit slippery due to sweat, especially on long and intense scenes. On my slapper, it has been replaced with rubberized fabric tape which is a bit coarser. This leads to a significant better grip. The bottom of the handle is again thicker and weighted to for a counter-balance “pummel”. Because of this the slapper is impressively well balanced! The toy is finished with an eyelet a the bottom with a nice leather loop threaded through it for securing it to the wrist and easy storage.

Top: The Latigo Slapper with the Fabric Tape Lining
Bottom: Massage Flogger with Rubber Lining

This toy is a labor of love from two kinksters’ side hustle in the Pacific north west. You can tell that this toy was designed and made by sadists for sadists. The build is heavy duty for long, intense scenes. This slapper will not fail you. But, this is not a mass produced toy by crafts people who do nothing else but a bit of a hobby. So you can find some charming imperfections like not all screws being in line or sitting perfectly inside the grommets. I don’t mind at all as it does not impact the impact sensation of this impact toy. But if you have OCD or look for perfect execution, this might annoy you.

Example of Slightly Off Screws

Play with the Latigo Slapper

This toy is a one trick pony: It is a mid- to end scene stingy toy (for punishing). A friend of mine called my full size “like a short and narrow prison strap” which I find an accurate description. The blows can be targeted well and if you put power into them really HIT. While with the handy size you can do some tapping or light hitting, the larger ones are to flappy for that. You really need acceleration (= kinetic energy) to straighten them out which of course increases the impact intensity. Because of this they cannot be used for warming up.

When you buy this toy, you have to be patient because it really takes time to break it in properly. Off the shelf the thick latigo is very stiff. The handy sized one almost performs like a paddle, the full size is almost difficult to throw because it flaps around a bit. I wish Bare Leatherworks would have used softer latigo like Mr S does for their restrain belts. In order to break mine in, I am hitting roof poles since bottoms are hard to come by here.

6mm Thick Latigo Leather

Until properly broken in, the larger slappers have a bit of thud to them. After all, the leather is a lot of accelerated mass hitting the ass. But the material cannot hide its heritage. Being made out of stiff latigo leather, this toy is a stinger! Hitting hard delivers a sharp blow. Once broken in, the thud takes a backseat and there is almost only sting left. The sting is most intense at the tip where the loop connects the two sides of the slapper.

The Braided Leather Loop at the bottom

Broken in, the midsize is the easiest to target and control because it roughly has the size of a pair of buttocks. My full size needs bit of practice; it almost handles like a flogger. When targeting, you need to consider that the tip might wrap around, delivering a sharp pain to a not warmed up body area.

Being just 5cm shorter than most standard sized floggers, I sometime incorporate my slapper into flogging or whipping scenes when the bottom wants and needs it hard. Hitting the already bruised and irritated shoulders with the tip of the slapper will make almost every bottom jump.

Conclusion: Nasty and intense stinger which needs some time to master

Pro

Cons

Where to get

Price

Well balanced

Needs time to break in

Bare Leatherworks

Handy: $77.95

Mid: $97.95

Full: $109.95

Comfortable to hold over extended periods of time

Execution not as precise as on other toys

Fetters Leather Studded Paddle

The Fetters Leather Studded Paddle

Vendor: Regulation

Construction
Like last week, this paddle has a very traditional design. The head with its slightly rounded corners is 20cm long and tapes almost shovel like from 10cm above the handle to 10.8cm at the top. At the bottom it flows into a 14cm long handle which taper slightly for a secure grip. Two layers of 4mm thick bridle leather with a metal spring in the middle are the basis of this paddle. They are glued and sown together for a compact and solid feel. The edges are deburred and burnished so there is now unintentional chafing.

Through the top layer six rows of three 4.5mm tall pointy, yet dull Ø7mm studs each are screwed. Below the rivets a third, at 3.5mm a bit thinner layer of bridle leather is attached to the top of the handle. Where it ends at the head five (!) rivets support the glue in keeping this layer in place. This monopiece construction with the reinforced handle gives the paddle a rigidity and thus most kinetic energy is transferred onto the sub.

The Embossed Fetters Logo with the Raising Studs

At the bottom a 18cm long leather string loop helps the securing the paddle to the wrist even in heavy scenes. And once you are done with play, it can be easily stored away.

Play with the Leather Studded Paddle

This review was a multiple reader request. I actually did not know about this toy. But since this paddle does not break the bank, I simply bought it, because I was curious how the studs would feel.

The Studded Paddle’s Smooth Side

The toys has a bit weird ergonomics. There are several categories of toys: Small and nimble for targeting small areas, long and narrow for hitting both cheeks at ones, about-palm-size for single cheek targeting or over the knee. The Leather Studded Paddle sits in between the latter two categories which require a bit adjusted hitting techniques. When hitting a single cheek target with the upper third of the head (the central stud of the second row from the top is a good focal point), not the center. Otherwise, the edge will hit the apex of the other cheek which usually has denser fat tissue, does not compress as well and thus diverts the blow. In actual play it is not as dramatic as it might sound. But when I dealt my first blows, I was a bit puzzled that they did not land where I wanted them to and it took a few minutes to adjust.

The Triple Layer Handle Design

Once you have gotten over this, you are going to hit HARD! Due to being so stiff and rigid, it is a very stingy paddle. With very light tapping, you can use the smooth side for warm-up. But as soon as you increase the intensity, it starts to sting quite severely quite firmly. Again, this is something you need to get use to. Since it is more rigid and has less flex than comparable paddles, lower levels of intensity will have a noticeable effect.

This is even more with the studded side. The metal peaks focus the impact energy in these 18 points until the full paddle hits. The stiff leather in combination with the metal spring already has little give, the metal is unforgiving. Then using the paddle on other, less well padded areas (for example the hands), keep that in mind. Hitting joints or bones with the studs can lead to serious injuries.

While the smooth side already colors quickly, the metal studs make the textured side a bruised.

The studs are each about 2cm apart from each others. So each and every one can be felt separately. For sensation play, you can drag them over the subs body. They are “rounded” enough to offer a nice bruised and tender tissue massage on already impacted body areas.

The Dull yet Spikey Studs

Sadly, on design choice makes the studs a little bit hard to use. The studs are only a millimeter taller than the additional leather layer to reinforce the handle. That makes using the full studded impact area difficult. During sensation play, you have to be careful not to unintentionally push the unburnished and thus slightly edge of the handle reinforcement against the skin. This is a minor point, especially considering that the toy was not intentionally designed for sensation play. But still, I would appreciate of the reinforcement was on the smooth side.

Due to the weight of the metal spikes, the paddle is a bit unbalanced. The pivot point is below the bottom row of studs. It is not terribly bad but definitively noticeable. You should now swing this paddle from the wrist or tab over extended periods of time.

Conclusion: Intense, well-made paddle with some ergonomic quirks

Pro

Cons

Where to get

Price

Heavy for intense sensations even with low impact energy

Weird ergonomics

Regulation

£38.99

Loop for securing and storing

A bit unbalanced

Very wellmade

Fetters The Claw

Fetters the Claw CBT Paddle from Regulation

Vendor: Regulation

Over the past year, I have accumulated quite a few new impact toys, unintentionally almost all from Regulation. Since I haven’t done an impact special in quite a while, let’s kick off the new year with looking at tools helping you „reward“ your sub when he has been a bad boy.

Construction

The Claw has a traditional paddle design with a 71mm round head that flows into a 140mm long handle. It is made out of two layers of thick bridle leather with a metal spring in the middle for added stability for years to come. The two layers are sown and glued together; the edges are beveled, deburred and burnished. This gives the paddle a quality feel and it lies solidly in the hand. A nice touch is the embossed Fetters logo below the spiked pad.

While one side of the head is just the smooth bridle leather, on the other side there is a 59mm round firm foam pad covered in red leather. On top of the pad there is a circle of eight really pointy metal cones with an additional one in the center, giving the toy its name.

The Smooth Side of the Paddle Stinges quite a Bit

At the bottom of the shaft a lever-operated carabiner is riveted onto it. The eyelet diameter of 10mm is large enough to attach the paddle to a belt loop which is a great additional feature compared to just a D-ring for playroom storage. Since due to the ergonomics of this paddle you will not deal big blows with the Claw (see below), I do not really miss a loop for the wrist.

Play with The Claw

This section is going to be divided in two parts. First I will talk about the smooth leather side, then about the spiked one because this is truly a two-sided toy.

Regulation markets this toy as a ball busting paddle. Because of this the head is small and the handle just as long as it needs to comfortably hold the toy. This way it is nimble and can easily target small body areas. It is narrow enough to smack the balls between thighs as long as there is enough space for the balls to hang freely (for example on a bondage chair). But it is equally good for falaka or hitting that sensitive spot where the thighs meet the buttocks. Having such a relatively small impact area, it focuses the kinetic energy and this impact force on a small area, making the Claw a bit of a bruiser. Having a shorts handle, it is a bit difficult to gather momentum and thus deal really heavy blows on the ass and thigh. Since swats on the balls are generally supposed to be bit softer and more controlled, this is not really a negative thing.

The Carabiner is for Easy Attaching and Storing but Developes Momentum when Hitting

The spring inside the paddle makes it just a little bit bounce and thus perfect for tapping and snapping. When tapping the carabiner swings and develops momentum. My recommendation is holding the shaft on the rivet between thumb, index and middle finger while restraining the carabiner inside the palm. Being so small, the paddle is also a bit head-heavy and unbalanced. But since it is not made for heavy and continuous hitting, it is unlikely that it will make the wrist tired.

Since the bridle leather is smooth, firm and has a lacquered surface, the impact sensation is stingy. Being so light, it is not really made for warm-up. It either stings or is almost unnoticeable.

So much for the smooth side. Now to the spikes.

These Spikes give The Claw its Name

Let me reiterate: The spikes are pointy and sharp! They are not like on other paddles where the spikes are dulled or cone-shaped rivets. You can cause serious injuries with them, especially on the balls. The scrotum skin is thin and sensitive. Light tapping with this toy is ok. Any stronger force will lead to breaking the skin and cause bleeding. This effect is even intensified when moving the toy in a scratching movement. It is actually a good thing that due to the ergonomics you cannot deal hard blows. This could lead to flesh wounds! The padded pad gives the spikes a bit of bounce but it does not really softens the blows. It is a nice design feature and makes the paddle a little bit more intimidating looking but I do not see the functional use for it since it does not dull the blows. So, what are the spikes good for? I used them for a combination of sensation play and mind fuck. Drag them over the bottom’s skin, varying the pressure from a light scratch to digging in deeply, telling him that soon they will dig into his body, propelled by full force, will most likely inflict terror. Then start light tapping, scratch a bit again, play with his fear and anticipation. Due to being so sharp, do not used gear to soften them. They will tear rubber, scratch leather and rip lycra or cotton.

Detail of the Stichting and Finished Edges

One unexpected use case is (AB)DL play: If you put on several layers of diapers you need to perforate the outside plastic layer of the inside diaper to allow the liquid to get to the next layer. You need to do this without destroying containment of the absorbent stuffing so randomly ripping with a knife does not work. The Claw is perfect for this! The spikes puncture, rip and tear the plastic while keeping the stuffing intact. This also means that the ass is protected from injuries during the process. And if your little is naughty, the Claw is a great, not too severe OTK paddle.

Conclusion: Nasty small paddle with a dangerously mean side

Pros

Cons

Where to get

Price

Small and nimble for precise hitting

… that flops around when hitting

Regulation

£29.99

With the coupon code ToyTorture you get 10% off your purchase

High quality feel

A bit unbalanced

Carabiner for easy attachment…

ToyTorture’s Stocking Stuffer II – Cockeyekink Custom Stainless Steel Pendants and Harnesses

Sometimes you just need a little something for someone special. A token of gratitude, a sign that someone is dear without putting pressure on him to re-gift. Or – if you are going full Martha Steward – a little charm to adore the ribbon on a wrapped gift. For a special kinky twist, this week’s stock stuffer are the varios stainless streel accessories from Cockeyekink. Based in Seattle, they have quickly made a name for high quality customizable stainless steel accessories. From classical dog tags over custom text bone tags for all those puppies, alphas, betas and handlers to simple individually colors paw pendants they offer something for ever kink. On they website they showcase a great number of different designs, symbols and iconographies. But you can always approach them with a custom design which would be the perfect gift for your house, leather family or pack. Though you might be a bit late for a big custom order for Christmas.

Bulldog Harness with Poppers Pig Icon

Piss Pig Harness with Suspender Straps

Of course, Cockeyekink is most famous for their harnesses which comes in two styles: Bulldog or Bulldog with Suspender Straps. The stainless steel plates boldly display your kink. And the wide straps and massive buckles give off a heavy duty vibe. They are definitively not made for circuit party twinks but for heavy players who engage in serious kink. Again, the plates either come for a pre-designed range or can be done with individual art work and the leather color can be chosen to match your existing gear.

Different Versions of the Bulldog Harness with Suspender Straps

I have been eyeing their Bulldog with Suspender Straps for a couple of years now. So if anybody is still looking for a Christmas gift for me, send me a message… 😉

ToyTorture’s Stocking Stuffer II – Slagwerk Atelier Exclusive Impact Implements

The Slagwerk Italian Leather Paddle

BDSM toys mostly follow the principal from follows function. This makes sense since they are being used in darker surroundings and – at least in the gay kink community – following an industrial/ rough design aesthetic. Slagwerk from the Netherlands follows a different direction. By matching braided Italian leather with polished stainless steel their toys have the look of luxurious lifestyle accessories instead of dungeon tools.

The Slagwerk Riding Crop

Personally, I find these three toys most interesting. The Italian Leather Paddle (170€) does not only look interesting, I imagine that the texture of the woven leather has an interesting impact sensation. At 50cm overall length it should be long enough to hit both ass cheeks at the same time yet the blade it thin enough to hit intricate spots. Second is their Italian Leather Single (185€) which is an is basically an dragon tongue directly attached to a handle. This is an actually very intuitive design which I have not yet seen at other kink stores and which intrigues me how well it handles as a toy! Last but not least or their riding crops (starting at 155€). Having a riding crop sticking in your boot shaft is a very classic leather look and a nifty thing to have because it it easily accessible if you need to discipline your sub without dangling around hanging from your belt. The exclusive design of the handle and shaft makes their riding crops stand out and are truly an accessory adding to the appeal of a leather uniform. The riding crops come in interesting color configurations like red leather slappers. But I am sure you can get a traditional all black design too on request.

Example of the Slagwerk exclusive Limited Edition

If you really want to treat your dom (I don’t think subs are the main market for their toys), they offer limited editions in even more exclusive configurations. On these toys the stainless steel is gold plated and the handle lining is made out of exotic hides. The top of the line is a solid gold handle flogger adorn with five diamonds. Considering the weight and low stiffness of gold, I am not sure how usable such a toy will be but for the rich kinkster who has EVERYTHING, it might just be the Christmas gift to get.

Sadly I have not yet had a chance to play with their toys. Looking at the designs and material being used, the impact sensation seems to be on the intenser and stingier side of the spectrum. If you are a kinkster coming to Easter Berlin and bring Slagwerk toys with you, please get in touch. I would love to see, try and experience if the handling and quality lives up to their extraordinary design.