Rope Bondage Basics: How To Choose The Right Rope for Your Needs

Bondage is a fantasy that many find alluring. You may want to do the tying or be tied up. You might love the beauty of a perfect knot. Or perhaps you want to tie your lover up in a quick and effective manner to quell their struggle. You may like to stand back and tease your helpless mate. Maybe you lust to feel the rope against your skin as your partner pulls and pushes you off balance as they tighten their control, while always keeping you safe. You may have visions of using rope to secure optimal positions for intercourse and penetration. These desires are valid and you can achieve them. Let’s start by finding the right rope for you and get you started.

TYPES OF ROPE
Hemp: The highest quality natural fiber rope available, but a little rougher sensation on the skin than other ropes. (Some people like it like that!) Traditionally used on sailing ships, this attests to hemps wear-ability and how well it will hold a knot. Not to mention it has an awesome natural scent that many people find very sexy. It is a bit more expensive because the fiber used to construct hemp rope must be imported and fair trade. Hand wash with gentle detergent and hang to dry.

Cotton: Traditionally associated with Japanese rope bondage. Soft to the touch and will not rub or chafe the skin. Holds your knots tightly, this can make it hard to undo a very tight knot. It will stretch a bit with use and has no scent. It has a shorter life span when compared to other ropes. To clean cotton rope, slip it in a lingerie bag to keep it from getting tangled and machine wash with like colors. Use cold water and air dry to avoid shrinking.

Nylon: Sensual as it moves over bare skin. It is durable, easy to clean and maintain. Nylon rope has no smell. It will stretch with repeated use, up to 20% in length. It will not hold a knot as tight as other options listed here. To clean nylon rope, slip it in a lingerie bag to keep it from getting tangled and machine wash with like colors. This bondage kit with nylon rope is a great deal and a great way to launch into rope and sensation play.

STORAGE
Keep your rope organized so you are ready for spontaneous play! Wind it up neatly and tuck it away where it will stay dry.

SAFETY
One of the reasons people become so fixated on rope bondage is because there is always more to learn. But always start with learning how to keep a bound partner safe.

Here are a few basic tips:

  • Keep a set of Safety Scissors on hand for quick release. (If not an emergency, untying someone can be as sensual as tying them up!)
  • Don’t tie too tight. You should be able to slip two fingers in between the rope and skin.
  • Check in periodically to ensure the bound partner is comfortable. Ensure that parts of their body are not falling asleep, tingly or experiencing numbness. Have them wiggle their fingers and toes for you.
  • If you are bound, tell your partner about any medical issues or old injuries you may have. Communicate issues along the way so your partner can assist.
  • Never bind a person’s neck. Be very cautious about joints and circulations points.
  • Never leave a bound partner alone.
  • Don’t let someone you don’t know tie you up.

MORE RESOURCES
Read books with your lover… look at the images, soak up the knowledge of experienced players, talk about what appeals to you and may not and use that as a guide for where you may take each other next. The Erotic Bondage Handbook by bestselling author Jay Wiseman is a perfect primer. And Two Knotty Boys Showing You the Ropes is packed full of photos that illustrate technique.

Throughout National Kink Month , we’re having weekly sales on Stockroom.com: this week we’re featuring some of our favorite rope bondage gear and how-to books, as well as select anal toys for both men and women. All month long we’ll be showcasing tricks, tips and lessons for using the fetish toys and BDSM gear on sale that week.

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