Rope Cutters

A lot of BDSM advice, especially for rope and shibari recommends the use of EMS safety shears for emergency cutting of ropes.  These are designed for cutting quickly while keeping a flat, non-sharp part against the skin.  They are way better than regular scissors so don't confuse them with normal scissors (which are not very good at cutting rope...especially in a hurry.)

You can get them here for $12  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002L9QML4

3rd Best Option

While these are good and pretty cheap, these are very far from the best.  The best would be either a Karambit emergency knife (http://www.karambit.com/safety_and_rescue_tool.htm) for about $50

2nd Best

Or a Benchmade Model 5 Emergency Tool http://www.benchmade.com/products/5  for $35.00

The Best - get it. 

The benchmade is my choice as the best for BDSM emergency cutting tool.  It's small, easy to use and cuts rope extremely effectively.  It also comes with a handy little case that can be attached to the strap  of a rope bag  -which is really perfect as there is no digging around the bottom of your bag for it -- and it is also clearly not a weapon so you can get it past the bouncer at BDSM events in clubs. 

This handy little tool will cut ropes far faster than EMS shears: especially if you are using thicker rope. 

One thing about this though...don't use it for anything but emergency cutting -- you want it as sharp as possible when seconds count. 

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Double Figure Eight Knots (Loop)

This is the first post I'm doing on knot tying, ropes and all things shibari -- I still haven't decided on the best format for this so you'll have to bear with me.  I'm pondering making videos but...that seems like a lot of effort (I've won awards for shorts I've made -- and I know me: I won't be happy with the result unless I spend far too much time on it. So unless I resolve to do a crappy job on the video, it might not happen.)

Anyway, I haven't mentioned how to tie knots before but, as a Dom/Domme you have a lot to learn...and ropes is one of those things that can't be avoided.  I'm going to start with the double figure eight knot. Not because it's the most useful or versatile (it's not) but it's easy to explain and remember.

How to tie a Double Figure Eight knot:

Basically, make a figure 8 with your rope and then...follow the 8 a second time.   The key points are
a) make a figure 8 [steps 1-3 below]
b) put the rope through the first part of the 8 you made and then run it back up the same way it came (this will be the actual loop in the end)  [step 4]
c) loop around the top of the eight and then under both the loop lines [step 4-5]
d) run it through both the top 8s [step 6]
e) cinch it tight.

I like this form of diagram. I think it's easy to follow.
You like it too?

Here's what it looks like in actual rope (before cinching):

Uncinched Double Figure Eight Knot

 And here it is cinched:

Double Figure 8-knot

Note the wall with a tie point,
carabiner and rope with a double
figure 8 knot with a long loop.

Uses:
I like using this pretty yet fairly strong knot for creating tie-offs that are good for attaching carabiners
to or for running other ropes through it in a sort of makeshift pulley.  

Say your bed has no posts and generally lacks tie points (because you were given the bed...never, ever buy a bed that doesn't have ample tie points!!!)  You can can tie a rope to a leg and then have it come up to a double figure eight knot that you can attach your girl to.   If you have a longer rope, run it around both legs (wrapping around each leg several times) and then put a double figure 8 at each end -- so you can secure both arms or both feet.

If you have a tie point on a wall, you can run a rope from it and have it end in a double figure 8 loop knot so you can control exactly where your tie point is...and easily clip a carabiner to it. That configuration is handy because you can then go to the all tie point and adjust it so she is more...comfortable. >;)

While I don't typically use this knot on the body of a girl, it is a great way to finish off a lose rope used to bind her.  It looks a lot nicer than a dangling end and will no doubt inspire you to run a rope through it and secure her to something.

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Hogties

THe HOGTIE

Hogtying is a popular bondage technique for immobilizing one's slave by tying all four of the person's limbs together.  The way I like to do it is to tie a slut's arms together behind her back, and then tie her legs together at the ankle. The legs are then bent up and attached to her wrists. It can also refer to positions where wrists are bound to the upper arms (as long as it's behind her back.)

The term Hogtying comes from farm ranches as this rope technique was originally used to secure pigs.

There are several variations of the Hogtied position. Special bondage tools and equipment can be used to achieve a hogtied position -- as always ;)  Of course my favorite tool for achieving the Hogtied position is rope.  But a Monoglove can be used to secure a person's arms behind their back and then attached to the legs using the tip of the Monoglove. Leather straps, handcuffs, metal wrist and leg shackles all can be used as well.

Here is an example of adjustable hogtie straps

The wrists and ankles are normally in close proximity to each other without touching. In a more challenging Hogtie, you can make the slave's wrists touch or overlap her ankles. This causes the back to arch, and may cause severe discomfort in a prolonged bondage scene. But the standard position can be maintained for much long fairly comfortably by the slave.

Personally, I think hogtying looks beautiful and sexy. The girl is obviously bound and immobile and, if you have a good slut, will love you for it. I do adore girls who feel safer and cared for while immobile -- and this position certainly achieves that. 

SAFETY:
As with all rope bondage, care must be taken to ensure that circulation of the blood is not cut off -- this is especially important when ties are used around the ankles and wrists as the veins are near the surface and easily compressed with poor rope work.

So make sure you use ties that don't cut of circulation and definitely do not use ties that cinch tighter. (I will have to make a post on how I like to tie these.)

Be sure to stay with the sub and monitor her at all times, checking her hands and feet for discoloration (blue and grey are bad colors for skin! Undo her if you see this!)  Also, feel her hands and feet to make sure they are not getting cold -which is another sign of poor circulation.  And you can always ask her if her hands or feet are tingling.

In more challenging hog ties the back can be arched back. Don't make her overextend backwards and be warned that she won't be able to maintain more severe positions for that long.  Her back may start to cramp up or spasm and then your little sex pet will be an unhappy little girl :'(

And as always, keep some EMS scissors handy so you can cut her lose quickly in an emergency (if you are using rope.) Do not worry about the cost of the rope. The slave's health and well being is way more important: and she will probably trust you more if she sees you're willing to cut a $50 rope to rescue her quickly --and BDSM is all about trust.  

Some versions of a hogtie involve a predicament bondage where a neck rope is attached to keep the neck, back and legs arched but this is really NOT RECOMMENDED!  If the Dom is someone accidentally incapacitated or feels he can leave her alone -- the victim can tire and strangle to death. So don't do this!



The hogtie position places a lot of pressure of the abdomen of the slave (especially if she is placed on her belly.)  This can create postural asphyxia (aka it's really difficult for her to breath because of the position.) Care should be take to ensure she can breath easily. Keep alert and check in with her to make sure she can still breath .

Gagged -- but not on her stomach.


Disclaimer:   Use common sense. I am not advocating use of any technique or practice on this website. You are responsible for your own actions and safety -- research techniques online and take courses from people who are experts.

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