A SEX EDUCATOR REVIEWS THREE KINKY PRODUCTS

Guest written by A. (@queerpleasure), a queer blogger and pleasure advocate. Find a huge library of A.'s toy reviews on queerpleasure.com 

If you live in the United States like myself, we are collectively on month eleven of quarantine and honestly, this sh*t is getting old. The off-white monotony of my bedroom walls has begun to feel like a trap of sorts, and I feel nearly everyone’s mental health is far from its best.

But, all this aside, something that I have found quite freeing- when I can indulge-is experimenting with new things in the bedroom. With my work on my blog, I’ve developed quite a collection of pleasure toys, and this likely comes as no surprise to any regular readers. That being said, I actually don’t own much in the way of BDSM toys by comparison. The lovely people over at LOVERS have sent me three fun, new things to try out and report on for you guys. Without further ado, let’s hop into the details! 

Sportsheets Saffron Leash and Collar ($39.00)

• Red and black vegan leather (flexible and feels great on the skin) 
• $30-40 
• Great for everyone 
• Adjustable sizing to fit lots of diameters; necks & wrists 
• Really great red & black aesthetic 

Okay, so I feel the need to start this with a disclaimer: I do not own any other luxury handcuffs and collars to compare the Sportsheets Saffron line to, but I can say honestly that I can’t think of much that could be improved upon. These restraints are comfortable to wear, vegan-friendly, highly-adjustable, and really aesthetically pleasing. They can be a bit stiff at first but after some wear, they will bend smoothly without any odd corners.  

The hardware on both the collar and cuffs are solid: the buckles don’t stick or pinch at my skin in any way. The leash part of the collar has some weight to it and doesn’t tangle too much. Now, my only issue (and it’s small) is as follows: if your neck and wrists fall on the small side, you are for sure going to have overlap of material. I say this because I have several inches of overlap and am not a super tiny human. This material overlay isn’t harmful at all, just slightly bulkier than is ideal. You can see this below as demonstrated on my wrist.  

Sportsheets Saffron Cuffs ($34.00)

The collar has this same situation on me, but again, it doesn’t impede the function of the restraints at all. 

In terms of ability to actually restrain someone, these work well. They don’t have any pressure areas that get painful, but the construction feels solid enough that I have no fear of breaking anything. The Saffron line also allows for easy clean up with gentle soap and warm water in case things get messy. In terms of how they compare with other high-quality restraints, I would say the Saffron toys aren’t going to feel as good or mold to the body like real leather but that’s just a given with faux-anything.

Additionally, the Saffron cuffs & leash are significantly less expensive than bespoke leather toys. Overall, I would highly recommend this line to most people looking to replace uncomfortable restraints or just start off a BDSM collection with some really great gear.  

Doc Johnson Kink The Stinger Electro Play Wand (Sold Out)

• ABS Plastic with metal conductors  
• NEEDS BATTERIES 
• Black and red exterior with faux quilting detail (very aesthetic) 
• Low voltage (safe for users within instructed parameters) 
• Affordable (other electricity toys I’ve seen run from $100 and up so this is a steal) 

While the Sportsheets Saffron line is definitely a great way to spice up the bedroom, this Doc Johnson electricity toy is truly something different. Ever shocked yourself with static electricity? Imagine that but a bit bigger and with more of a visual and auditory element to go along with the zing of electricity. This toy isn’t something to be scared of though: the electrical current is mild enough that, provided you read instructions and follow safety measures, you shouldn’t sustain any damage or put yourself at any health risks. When I say to read the instructions, please do actually read through them: this toy is not suitable for everyone and should be used with caution.  

Cool, now that we have that out of the way- for folx who have checked that, they’re all good to go. Let’s talk about sensation. This electricity toy focuses on the auditory and visual aspect of play as much as it does touch, stimulating more senses than lots of other forms of sensation play. When the end of the wand makes contact with skin, it produces a visual spark and decently loud crackle of electricity. I must admit I was shocked by this when I first tried the toy (pun intended) but enjoyed the surprise.  

The touch aspect of the toy is actually milder than I had expected compared to the other elements of the electricity. It feels light and mild, more tingly than painful: if you’ve ever had a rubber band snap on your skin, know that it’s much gentler than that. I think, though admittedly I haven’t had the chance to try this, that this electricity toy would pair AMAZINGLY with a blindfold for an added element of surprise. Overall, this electricity toy is truly different from most other forms of sensation play and is a great choice to add excitement to any encounter. 

A Note On Sound: 

This toy--and the nervous giggles or squeals it evokes--CAN be heard through the thin walls in my apartment. If you have thicker walls or live alone, don’t sweat it. If you have a roommate like me, perhaps consider how that will shape your use of this toy.  

WITH PLEASURE,

LOVERS