TOOLS AND TOYS

Having collected leather toys for more years than I care to tell, I’ve garnered quite a usable assortment. I’d like to give you a tour of my tools.

The first thing to notice is that the word that we use for our equipment has changed over the years. When I entered the scene 25 years ago, we used tools, not toys, and we worked over a guy and only once in a while did we call it play. There’s a whole column right there but instead I’ll talk about the gear.

The first two items are easy to come by: rope and clothespins. I keep the clothes pins in their own leather bags so they’re easily accessible. Patrick had the bags specially made for me as a Christmas gift. Twenty to thirty clothespins are sufficient for most scenes, actually you’ll probably only use two, four or six at a time anyway.

Wash the rope before using it, thereby making it softer and easier to manipulate. It’s a good idea to prevent unraveling by dipping the ends in glue. You’ll want ropes of different lengths - some shorter (about four feet), others longer for more serious bondage such as to tie your bottom spread eagle to a mattress. I use rubber bands to keep the ropes neatly stored.

A pair of handcuffs is a natural as well, though I only use them for scene starters, since they often rub the skin and can cut circulation. Leather wrist and ankle restraints are much better, come in numerous styles, and pose much less danger. I made my first pair and lined it with rabbit fur. Later I bought more substantial cuffs.

Have plastic wrap and duct tape handy for those special bondage scenes. A pair of scissors to cut bindings is important as well. If possible, get the kind used to cut off bandages, as they are shaped to slide under the bondage material without endangering the skin. On a similar note, a few lengths of ace bandage are very versatile. They make excellent blindfolds, ball stretchers and wrist/leg restraints.

Condoms and lubricant are important toys as well. In fact, they are so important you should never party without them.

One or two pairs of tit clamps are good for when the tit torture gets a bit more intense. I use the kind with rubber shields on their ends, though I have been known to slip the shields off as my bottom moved into the enjoyment of more intense pain. Over the years my collection of tit clamps has become quite extensive.

I also have all sorts of small play things: shoe laces, leather thongs, ball stretchers, fishing weights, nylon fishing line, small hooks to attach the weights to the clamps.

As expensive and intricate as some toys can be, creativity can reduce their cost. For instance, two clothespins strung together with a piece of rawhide make a very serviceable tit clamp. It’s not expensive and can easily hold those fishing weights. Finding low-cost equipment takes a bit of shopping. Though most people buy a lot of Leather equipment at a hardware store, don’t forget craft stores, sewing centers, department stores, and pharmacies.

I got a box of Texas catheters (penis sheathes with a nozzle on the end to which you can attach a plastic hose) at a pharmacy recently. I had to go to three places to find them. Since we’re on the drug store selection, I have a small rubber syringe for giving enemas. And of course a plastic bag full of latex gloves. At home I also have a larger enema bag and a few syringes of Fleet enemas. Some bottoms just don’t know how to “show up clean.” This kind of equipment is used only once or thoroughly sanitized in a ten-to-one bleach/water mix.

My first and favorite instrument for discipline is a leather belt. Since I often wear one when I go out, it’s not officially “in my toy bag” but it is handy. Other tools for bun-warming include wooden and leather paddles, cats of nine tails, whips, riding crops, and brushes. Start with one or two small inexpensive items. Each will have its own feel and effect. I once had a discipline scene with a guy who had over 150 different “spanking toys.” He had a paddle fetish and had made, with great care and artistry, many of the wooden paddles I used on his ass. Kitchen utensils, rug beaters, bamboo, fancy canes, and various types of tree branches (hickory, willow, etc.) rounded out his collection.

You might have to make a trip to the countryside to find some of those items. I bought a wonderful buggy whip at a riding stable supply store once. Such stores are not easy to find but are well worth the trip. Don’t worry what the clerk thinks; you’ll never see him or her again!

I have different dildos in my dungeon. Always wash them with bleach and never use them on more than one person between thorough cleansing! Covering them with a rubber helps make the cleaning easier and insures an even higher level of safety.

The first dildo is embarrassingly small but the others increase in size. The largest one I reserve for people who can take it. If you proceed slowly and gradually increase the size inserted, a rectum can expand quite nicely. I also have several butt plugs, including ones that inflate. They’re great for longer retention times.

Every good toy bag should have a few candles and a lighter. Cheap candles burn at a lower temperature and cause less pain. Try them on yourself first so you know how to do it and what effect they will have.

I keep an assortment of small locks in my bag as well. I have them locked onto a metal ring. In the same bag I have a set of keys. The locks are locked before I use them insuring that when I use them, I will first have to have the key handy. Never use a lock unless you are positive, by having opened it right then and there, that you have the key.

I also have a dog’s choke chain and several collars. Some are made to buckle on, some to lock on, one has wrist restraints attached to it. I also have a home-made leather blindfold.

Then of course, there a leather hoods and harnesses. One is homemade but the others are store bought varieties. They come with and without eye and mouth holes. They lace, zip, and/or buckle. The lace ones are more versatile in that they fit more sizes. Going up the price scale, there are wonderful leather body bags, lock-on mitts that render hands useless, body harnesses, full-body restraints, etc.

Larger equipment won’t fit into the bag. I’ll leave a discussion of stocks, crosses, cages, etc., for another week. Until then use your imagination and have a good time. Remember: toys aren’t only for children anymore!

So which toy is your favorite? Drop me an e-mail, I’d like to know.

Have a great week. You can send me e-mail at mrjackr@leathermail.com or visit my Web site at www.LeatherViews.com, where you can subscribe to this column and receive it weekly.