Where Did Old School BDSM Go?

I watched a video this morning of how a book was produced. The lead type being set, then pressed. The trimming and folding and binding, and how the leather cover was attached. The comment by the person who posted the video was “Your Kindle can’t do this”. And, of course, it can’t. But that doesn’t…

Illustrated Guide – DIY Spreader Bars

We’ve reblogged this illustration from Boyfriend and ExBoyfriend BDSM Gallery, one of the great sites that Tumblr killed in its purge. This is a regular series of illustrated guides. You can find the others here. Spreader bars are an article of bondage equipment consisting of a metal or wooden bar, with attachment points for bondage…

Whips & Whipping 101, Part 4: The First Crack

By Jim the Whip Maker and Dick Carlson Part 1: Bulls, Snakes & Other Scary Critters Part 2: Swing & Target Practice Part 3: Long Whips Part 5: The First Shot – The Full Overhand Shot Part 6: The First Useful Shot – The Pick Up Part 7: The Real Thing – The Single Side…

Sensual Flogging

By Michael Fleming I would like to share some of my feelings about the experiences I’ve had with respect to the sensitive and sensual aspects of flogging. For both Top and bottom, many S/m scenes can be greatly enhanced, even “immortalised” with a sensual flogging done well. Indeed, flogging can literally make or break any…

Is it OK for Me to Call Myself “Master”?

So, you’ve got this title, “Master”. What are the origins? How did it come to be part of the BDSM language? “Master” might refer to: someone with a high level of skill in something (a Master Swordsman or Master Electrician, for example). To be recognised as this type of Master by your community you may…

Whips & Whipping 101, Part 3: Long Whips

By Jim the Whip Maker and Dick Carlson Part 1: Bulls, Snakes & Other Scary Critters Part 2: Swing & Target Practice Part 4: The First Crack Part 5: The First Shot – The Full Overhand Shot Part 6: The First Useful Shot – The Pick Up Part 7: The Real Thing – The Single…

The Error of Silence

by Isaac Cross For those of us to the left of the slash (dominant, top, etc), we often make decisions for the good of our partners without telling them. Even with the best of intentions, these decisions often have the opposite effect if we fail to communicate. I recently had arranged for a particularly brutal…