What actually is a flogger?
Floggers are a subspecies of whips in BDSM. A flogger, like a paddle or a whip, is mostly used in SM impact play, but it is also often seen as a harmless stroking tool or a tender whip. More precisely, it is a very short whip with a particularly short handle, to which several loose straps are attached. The variants made of leather enjoy the greatest popularity. The many variations are connected by a whistling sound during execution, which is produced by the tassels.
What types are there?
Floggers in the strict sense are usually softly made in their strap material. The tassels can be made of leather, horse hair, rubber or plastic, but also terry knitting. Due to the different materials, one can find different applications for the floggers. While a lot of horse hair with a small impact force rather fine, subtle pain, wide leather straps can already produce more intense pleasure pain. The terrycloth versions are especially interesting, as you can moisten the straps if the intensity is not enough when dry.
The handles are also made of a wide variety of materials, ranging from simple leather grips to penis-shaped plastic or anal plugs. In terms of execution, however, this rarely makes a difference. In a broader sense, “cat-o-nine” and “single-tail whips” also come into the picture, but they are only related to floggers and are known for a harder style of play.
What do you use a flogger for?
In most cases, kinksters use a flogger whip as a toy in S&M, for example, spanking. Active flogging, called flagellation, is seen there as an essential sexual practice of BDSM and is acted out in various forms. But since floggers are relatively harmless in their strength, they are also often used as stroking instruments. The stimulation of erogenous zones with the tassels in a tender way can cause great excitement in the session partners. Generally, BDSM players incorporate the short whips into their sessions to support their fantasies, since a flogger as an instrument of power can, for example, significantly reinforce one or a Dom in authority.
What do I have to consider when using it?
The most important thing when using it is, above all, high attention and consensuality. You must always pay attention to the other person, especially if you are in the dominant role. The transition from pleasure pain to unpleasant pain is usually fluid and can be very quickly transgressed. Depending on the preference, you must therefore pay attention to the wishes of the counterpart, adjust the intensity and keep set limits in any case. Although bad injuries caused by a flogger are unlikely in contrast to single tails, crops and canes, you must not underestimate the tool and never abuse it.
What should I pay attention to when buying?
The first thing you should pay attention to when buying is the user rating, as floggers can vary greatly in quality, just like any toy. Besides the right material for the straps, the strap attachment is of particular importance. Indeed, the attachment of the tassels to the handle often represents the primary quality feature of this type of whips.
First and foremost, it is important to have a sturdy suspension that will hold up under stress, but perhaps also the ability to unclip the straps and change them. The latter option is usually reserved for the higher-priced versions, but again, it saves money because you can connect different types of straps with one handle.
