Greetings and salutations lovely internet people, and faithful followers of our blog. My name is Bettie and I will be the Captain of this ship. This is not your Disney Cruise lines typical family vacation – we kicked Mickey off 1000 miles ago! Steady on course toward exotic, erotic destinations. If you are brand spanking (no pun intended) new to bondage and want to know more, grab a lifejacket and read on. Other passengers that have a partner that is a police officer (or plays one on tv), read on. If you like frisky, resistance play… you guessed it – read on!
Cuffs/Handcuffs are:
- quick (time saver)
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easy to apply
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minimal storage space needed
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comfortable (cuffs, dependent upon the material and type)
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durable
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available in varying colors/styles/materials
With the same purpose in mind, wrist or ankle cuffs surround the appendage to hold a person [securely] in place. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.
- Wrist/Ankle Cuffs
Basic cuffs are inexpensive and functional for basic bondage. Snaps, zippers, and adjustment points make for safe and comfortable bondage exploration. These can be made of simple leather, nylon, or neoprene. These can come in sets that also include tie-down straps to be used in bed, for example.
Under the bed restraint kit
Usually a D-shaped ring is included on the cuff which allows for rope or a “panic snap” (see Hardware explanation) hook attachment. The extra attachment point/points can be useful for situations where you want to immobilize someone on more than one axis; Utilize other hardware/gear, such as spreader bars, to hold the person’s hands or feet apart.
- Latigo Leather Cuffs
Bare Leatherworks Standard Cuffs
These are durable, dynamic, and a nice in-between nylon and metal handcuffs. Please remember that leather requires treatment and cleaning. Should you choose cuffs that are lined, things that will clean cloth may ruin your leather and vice versa.
Secret Pleasures takes pride in providing quality products. The cuffs featured above are from Bare Leatherworks, which also create handmade Small Size Cuffs. These fit smaller frames and smaller wrists/ankles. Safety, security, comfort in mind!
Intermediate Players
The first few things that I always tell people when they inquire about [locking] cuffs or handcuffs is this:
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Don’t use single-locking cuffs as they can tighten at the worst possible time.
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Have and know the location of a spare key. “Ummm, Houston, we have a problem. I can’t let you out.” “What?! Why?!” “I dropped the key on the floor and it slid into the floor vent.” “Grab the spare key!” “There is a spare? I had only 1…” Nothing is worse than having to contact a locksmith or the police to unlock someone from cuffs [worst case scenario]. Most other handcuff keys will unlock a set, even the novelty keys.
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Don’t call us – we are the last people you should be calling because we do not stock extra keys.
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Handcuffs are not recommended for the lock picking/escape artist types!
They are relatively inexpensive and not difficult to locate or use. Much like anything, they also have a few drawbacks. One drawback being the hard material. Injury or nerve damage can occur should someone pull/place pressure on them. These are a poor option for any sort of scenario where struggle/squirming will be involved (see suspension cuffs below as an alternative!) If your arm, for example, is flat against a bed and in a handcuff, that is ideal. If your arm is affixed via handcuff off of a surface and your arm is being held up by the cuff, this can cut off circulation. If they are tightened too far they can also become quite painful/cut off circulation to the valued appendage. No bueno!
“I want my handcuffs and I want them now!”
Ask and ye shall receive! You can use handcuffs, no one is stopping you. Just use proper handcuffs that are double locking (think police style handcuffs). They are equipped with a lock that prevents them from closing all of the way – put them on and set the lock to prevent them from tightening any further.
*If you are insistent upon using fur-lined handcuffs, please remember:
Love Cuffs
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great for beginner play or those with carpal tunnel once the locking mechanism is considered
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purchase them from an establishment that tests the safety of their equipment
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novelty handcuffs can jam, or usually poorly made
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“fur” can move on the handcuff and become stuck in the lock
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they can be bulky
Unconventional (Advanced / Paladin with 18 Charisma)
Grip Cuffs
This is an explanation of the style of cuffs you can use during suspension. It is not an explanation of how to suspend someone or what other gear is required for a successful suspension
Suspension bondage is a form of sexual bondage where a bound person is hung from one or more overhead suspension points. Suspension bondage is considered to carry a higher risk than other forms of bondage.
NOTE: Normal cuffs should never be used to suspend a person or to support a person’s weight. A great deal of force is concentrated over a small area. If you want to utilize cuffs to bear your partners weight, you will need special-designed suspension cuffs (wrap-around cuffs or grip cuffs, for example).
Wrap-around cuffs consist of a wide band that wraps around (hence the name) wearer’s wrist and hand to support their weight. A grip cuff is a more conventional style cuff that is attached to a handle that the wearer can hold.
The entire weight of the person is supported by these cuffs. They can be used to completely suspend someone off of the ground – This can be quite intense. Not only is there pressure on the wrists and shoulders, tension is also put on the chest cavity and muscles surrounding the chest which is compressed. This makes it difficult for people in this bondage position to breathe, thus leading to possible suffocation.
Most kinksters are crafty, resourceful people. Therefore, in true kink fashion, suspension cuffs can be used for struggle play/resistance play or for “squirmy” partners. You can pull on them without nerve damage, loss of circulation, or accidental tightening of the cuff/handcuff occurring. Yay for safety!
- Hardware
Swivel Eye Panic Snap
“Panic Snaps”
A type of fastener designed to be unhooked even if a weight is bearing down on it. These unsnap from themselves making play safer as well as removal of gear easier, should the person need/want to be freed quickly. Safeword/signal occurs, unsnap, and go!
Double-Ended Snap Hook
Double-Ended Snap Hook
These make for a quick way to hook a set of cuffs to almost anything, including straps, eyebolts, hogtie sets, under-the-bed restraints, etc.
Carabiner
Locking Carabiner
Carabiner
These are a fast and versatile way to fasten restraints to a single point.
Other handy uses:
- You can clip the restraints to the carabiner and the tie-down point with one single carabiner
- Clip your cuffs together for easy storage
- Hang your floggers or other gear from them for storage
- Attach to a belt loop for easy access to your flogger
- If you need to keep an eye on someone, you can hook their restraint to your belt loop in order to keep them close by
- Hang your handcuff key from a belt loop for easy access
- Carry in many shopping bags at once
- Walk multiple dogs with leashes at once
Secret Pleasures Boutique 
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