Not all cuffs are the same - SexCoach Blog
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I have to admit, I’m not good with ropes. They require patience, strategy and a stable hand. These are not my best assets. But I love cuffs. They are so easy, fast to manoeuvre and they inspire my creativity, so they are in my playbox for sure. But not all the cuffs are the same.
So these are some of the things to consider.
No key cuffs
If you want something with ease and playfulness these kinds of cuffs can provide what you are looking for.
They can also be used for self-restraint safely, because you can free yourself from them, so you don’t have to worry about being stuck in a humiliating situation. If you are anxious about trying restraints, these can help you to feel still a bit in control, and you can move forward from here, when you are ready.
The Quickie Cuffs and the Sei Mio Handy Cuffs are these kinds of cuffs.
Of course the possibility of getting free from them makes them “not truly restraining” for a lot of people.
Sensual cuffs
Some people are into discomfort and rigidity and some want to melt into their powerlessness. And thankfully they also have lots of choices. My favourites are the Sei Mio cuffs. They are so velvety that you feel held and ready to purr. Even struggling feels sexy.
These kinds of cuffs are usually padded and/or fluffy inside.
If you want to be sure that the cuffs won’t leave any mark on your skin, these are the right ones for the task. Like the Sei Mio Sensually Secured Velvet Handcuffs or the Blaze Bondage Set.
Buckle or Velcro closure?
Buckle is stricter and lots of people love the feeling of strictness in the dynamics. At the same time, these can be problematic, if there is no right setting to fit. I mean that sometimes one hole is too tight, and the next one feels too loose. This is when Velcro comes handy, because it can be as tight as you want. Fast and practical.
Some buckles are plastic, but most of them are metal, which can also be a very sexy feeling on the skin and adds to the strict dynamic.
The material of the cuffs
There is a big variety of materials. Most people know about metal cuffs or chains. These are the hardest and strictest and you need keys to open them. (Some of them have a hidden button to open them, just in case.) Because of the material and the need for keys, these are the riskiest in my opinion. If something goes wrong, you can’t open them fast and easily. I know that this can be very attractive to a lot of people.
Lots of cuffs are leather or fake leather, because they are very popular and fit lots of dynamics. The buckle or Velcro closure is easy to open, so if you need to, you can act fast.
Some cuffs are made of textile. Of course from a sturdier material. Most of them have some padding as well. They are usually cheaper or made for a creative design.
Sometimes silicone is used as cuff material. It is easy to clean them, while padded cuffs can absorb sweat and hold sweat or other fluids. Silicone can also feel nice on the skin.
The hardware can be made from metal that is more durable or plastic that is cheaper, but tends to break under a lot of pressure/force.
Hand cuffs or ankle cuffs
Hand cuffs and ankle cuffs are very similar, but the latter are bigger, so if you struggle to find a hand cuff that fits, it is worth checking out some of the ankle ones.
When you buy an under the mattress system or a hog tie, usually you get 2 handcuffs and 2 ankle cuffs with them, so if you plan to restrain your partner to the bed, it is worth considering to buy one of these, and you get your cuffs that can be used separately as well.
Carabiners and rings
Cuffs are useful and they can be connected. Most of them provide at least one carabiner to them so that you can attach them together. 2 carabiners are even better, because this way you can fix the cuffs to other things. Some cuffs already have a “handle” so that you can control your partner via that part. When you have anything that makes it possible to attach the cuffs to something, your options are opening up.
Bondage tape
I know that bondage tapes are not cuffs, but you can make cuffs from them, if you want. Bondage tape doesn’t stick to the skin, but it sticks to itself. They are perfect to make a quick restraint or can be used to bind your cuffs to something, like chairs or columns. It will give you a lot of freedom if you are creative. Please always have safety scissors around when you use them.
Silk and textile restraints are often recommended because they are sensual and most people have some scarves or something similar at home. I personally would not recommend them. They look easy and harmless, but they aren’t. After you tie them together they don’t necessarily stay that way. If you struggle the ties can become stricter and tighter, and you won’t necessarily be able to untie them. If you choose them, safety scissors are essential.
Sometimes you just look at a set of cuffs and you know right away that they are made for you, and sometimes you need to try several, in order to get the best one for you. And yes, sometimes you need more than one set, because different dynamics and play requires different cuffs.