RopeBondage101

Overview
Bondageandrestraintisacommonfantasyformanypeople.Somepreferthestruggleandpotentialforescape,others enjoyfeelingofcapturingandholdinganotherpersonincaptivity.Ropebondagecanbeusedasautilitarianrestraint usedforfurtherplay,orasanenduntoitselfwithcomplexpatternsandforms,designedtobeautifullycaptivatea willingparticipant.Thisworkshopcoverssafetyconcernssurroundingropebondage,ropematerials&selection,basic knots,andsimplerestraintties.WhatfollowsfromthisbaseisacomparisonbetweenWesternandEasternropestyles alongwithanexampleofaJapanesetie.Theworkshopwindsdownwithsometipsandtricksforimprovingyour bondageskillsandanoverviewofresourcesavailableinprintandontheinternet. Thisguideiswrittenasinstructiontothepersonapplyingthebondage,thetermpartnerisusedtoindicatetheperson onwhomthebondageisbeingapplied.

Bio
ImafunlovingropegeekandsexeducatorwhohasfoundahomeintheMidwestUnitedStateskinkcommunity.When Imnottravelingtoevents,IcontributetotheIowaStateUniversityCUFFSgroup,andserveontheboardof MinneapolisTNGgroupMinKY.AlthoughImarelativelynewmemberofthescene,Ivepresentedatnumerousevents acrossthecountry,includingKinkyKollege,Shibaricon,DenverBound,andBeyondLeather. Asapresenter,Iaimtoprovideacomfortabledowntoearthlearningenvironmentforallgenders,orientations,and experiencelevels. Mylonglistofpresentations,events,andclassmaterialscanbefoundathttp://www.kinkfriendly.org Lastly,Iamnotamedicalprofessional.Evaluateyourownrisksbeforeparticipatinginanykinkactivities. Enjoyyourselves! LqqkOut lqqkout@kinkfriendly.org

ThisworkislicensedunderCreativeCommonsAttributionShareAlike3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/bysa/3.0/

History
Ropehasbeenatool,toy,clothingaccessory,anddecorationthroughouthumanhistory.Itsusesaremanyandvaried, butdorememberthatropehasalsobeenusedasaweaponandtorturedeviceformanyyearsaswell. Whatshallwedowithadrunkensailor?Thisoldseashantygivesusoneglimpseofropeuseinthepastgivehima tasteofthecaptainsdaughterrefersnottoatastytryst,butinsteadtotheCatoNineTailsformedbyuntwistinga threecordlengthofriggingropeintoitsconstituentparts,andoftenknottingtheendsforalittlemorebite. Hanging,Drawing,andQuarteringWhilehangingisstillusedtothisdayasaformofexecution(asrecentworldevents remindus),fargorierpunishmentsforhightreasonandregicidehavebeenpracticedinthepast. HojujitsuThisJapanesemartialartwascreatedforthecapture,transport,restraint,andtortureofprisonersandwas usedfromthe17thCenturyEdoperiodandremainedinpracticebyJapanesepoliceuntiltheWWIIera.Different restraintswereusedbasedonpeoplebasedontheirsocialstatusormethodoftransport.Itsalsostatedthatprisoners wereretiedatvariousborderstokeepthetiesofoneschoolsecretfromthoseofthenext.Torturewithropewasalso practicedinJapanwithrestrictiveties,forcedkneelingonstrawstatamimats,andpartialandfullsuspensions.The tenetsofHojojitsuarefunctionality,safety,secrecy,andbeauty.

SafetyandNegotiation
UndertheRiskAwareConsensualKinkframework,safetyconsiderationsareimportanttocommunicateduring negotiationsandthereforebotharepresentedasasingletopic.Thebasicsafetyrulesofkinkapplytoropebondageand manyvolumeshavebeenwrittenonnegotiation,safecalls,checkingreferences,avoidingintoxicants,andgenerally protectingyourself.Pleaseseetheresourcessectionattheendofthishandoutforfurtherintroductorymaterial.There are,however,additionalsafetyandnegotiationconsiderationsforropebondagethatoneshouldbeawareof.Thisisby nomeansacompletelist,butinsteadonethathascomefrompersonalexperienceandlearning.AsIcontinuetoplay, thislistcontinuestogrow. ConsentNo,thisisntropespecific.Yes,thisisthemostimportantelementofanykinkorsexualactivity.Beawareof thelegaldefinitionofconsentinyourjurisdiction.

MedicalIssues
DontPanicHealthcareprofessionalsaretheonlyoneswhoshouldbediagnosingmedicalproblems. Whatmaylooklikenervedamagecouldinfactbeasprainwhoseswellingistemporarilyblockinga nervepath.Physiciansseeallsortsofailmentsandthereareplentyofkinkawareprofessionalslisted bytheNCSF.Remember,everyoneisresponsiblefortheirownhealthandthehealthofthoseintheir care. CirculationCuttingoffthebloodsupplytoalimbanditsnerveendingscausesnumbnessinthatlimb. Ineverydaylifeyoumayexperiencecirculationlossasalimbgoingtosleepandisnormallynotanissue. Likelywhathashappenedisthepositionyousatorsleptindidntallowproperbloodflowandnowthat youreupandmovingagain,feelingwillrestoretonormal.Whileitisimportanttorestorecirculation withinareasonableamountoftime,thereslikelynoneedtoworryifyourpartnerstillhascontrolof theirhandsandfeet.However,ifthenumbnessisaccompaniedbypainorinabilitytomove,thisisa muchmoreseriousissueandmustbeaddressedimmediately. NerveCompressionorDamageNumbnesscausedbycompressingordamagingnervesisamuch greaterconcernthancirculationissues.Ifyourpartnerisexperiencingnumbnessandisunabletomove theirextremities,removethemfromthebondageimmediately.Nervepathsareoftenexposednear jointswherethereislessmuscletoprotectthem,forthisreason,avoidtyingorwrappingonjoints,in thegroin,ontheoutsideoftheupperarm.Damagingthesenervepathscouldresultinpermanentloss offeelingandmovementinalimb.
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Placingbondageon theinsides(left)or outsides(right)of jointscouldleadto circulationand nerveissues.

SeetheBDSMChicagoropesafetypageformoreinformationregardingcirculationandnervedamage: http://www.bdsmchicago.com/cram/MED_medical.html Ineithercase,itisimportanttorestorecirculationandnervefunctionassoonasyouknowtheyvebeendegraded. Watchforextramovementinyourpartnershandsorfeetandwhenyoucheckin,askthemtomovetheirhandsand feetandnotifyyouofanynumbnessorlackofmovement,anothergoodtestistohaveyourpartnergrabyourhand. Numbnessandrestrictedcirculationontheirownarenttoolargeofaconcern,butwhenaccompaniedbypain,theyare muchmoredangerous.ThisquotefromJayWisemansumsthingsupprettywellGoodPainGood,BadPainBad Asphyxiation/PositionalAsphyxiationDonottieropearoundthefrontofsomeonesneck.Tiesthatproducea similareffectasahaltertopshirtmaybeokay,butneverblockanairwaywithrope.Asidefrombindingtheneck,other asphyxiationdangeroccurswhensomeoneisputinapositionthatmakesitdifficulttobreatheovertime.Adifficult positionmaybecomefatalifunchangedforlongenough.Alsorememberthatgagscombinedwithanyplayincrease risksdramaticallyduetoreducedcommunicationanddifficultbreathing. Asthma,Diabetes,Fibromyalgia,andOtherMedicalConditionsStressandexcitementcantriggerasthmaattacks, diabeticstendtohaveworseperipheralcirculation,peoplewithfibromyalgiamaynotbeabletophysicallybeara positionthathasbeenokayinothercircumstanceswerenotmedicalprofessionalsandtheresnowaythatwecanbe awareofeverythingthatmaybeaffectingapersonshealth.Ifsomeonewithmedicalissueshasconcernsabouttheir abilitytoplay,itstimetoconsultaphysicianfortheiropinion. OldInjuries&SurgeriesEveryonesjointshavehaddifferentlifeexperiences.Whendiscussingaropescene,askyour partneriftheyhaveanyoldinjuriesorifanypositionsareuncomfortableforthem.Yourpartnermayhaveslept strangelythenightbeforeorrecentlyrolledananklethatsnowtender.Lookforsurgeryscarsonornearyourpartners joints,becausewhilesometimestheyforgetaboutabrokenelbowfrommanyyearsback,theirbodysureremembersit! Keepinmindthatslightmodificationstoapositionmaybeallthatisnecessarytocontinuewithagreatscene.

YourPartner
MonitoringandCheckingInNeverleaveaboundpersonalone.Checkinginonthestatusofyourpartnerregularlywill keepyourtiedtothecrossscenefromturningintoasuspension,orworse,asphyxiation,scene.Justlikewithany otherplay,someonewhohasdriftedtoofarintosubspacemaybeaverygoodreasonforyoutocallyoursafeword. Whenexploringanynewtypeofplay,bondageorotherwise,setyourthresholdabitlowerjustincaseyouhavent properlyestimatedyourlimitsorabilities. MovementandEscapeManypeopleenjoythechallengeofescapingfromtheirbondage.Shiftingloadsandwriggling captivesmaymovesomewrapstobadplaces.Sowhileyouretakingnotesonwhattotiebetternexttime,beawareof dangerouspositionsandbereadytoputtheegoasideandsayYouwin!Yourenotoutyet,butImsureyoudmakeit Ijustdontwantyoutoriskyourhealthtrying. RopemarksThefourtypesofmarkscommonlyassociatedwithropeworkarecompressionmarkscreatedbywraps aroundskin,ropeburnfrompullingropetooquicklyacrossskin,pinchingmarkscausedbybrokencapillariesinareas wherewrapswerentuniform,andbruisingfrompoorlyplacedknots.Compressionmarksgoawayrelativelyquickly, thesearethesameasthepillowmarksthatshowuponyourfaceafteralonghardsleep.Ropeburnisthesameasrug burn,avoidropeburnbyusingdifferentropematerial,slowingdownyourties,orholdingtheropeawayfromtheskin whilepullingthroughloops.Pinchingcanbeavoidedbytyingmoreloosely,orbyrunningafingerunderthewrapsto pullthemnexttoeachother.Planningyoursceneisthebestwaytoavoidknotbruisescreateyourtiesothattherope endsarentunderyourpartneriftheylaydownorareforcedintoaparticularposition.Asyoubecomemorefamiliar withidentifyingthevarioustypesofropemarks,theywillbecomeagreattoolinevaluatingthesafetyandeffectiveness ofyourties.

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TheEquipment
Inspectionsafeequipmentisrequiredforsafeplay.Taketimewhileuncoilingyourropeorbeforeaddinganother lengthtoyourbondagetovisuallyinspectyourrope.Payspecialattentiontothecenterofyourropeifyoudoubleitup forties.Ifoneortwoofthestrandsiswearingthrough,thetensioninyourwrapsmightbeheldonlybytheremaining strand,effectivelyreducingyourropesdiameterandstrength. SafetyShears/SafetyHookCuttingtoolsdesignedforEMTandotheremergencyresponse professionalsareamustwhenpracticingropebondage.Playpartnerscostwaymorethanrope, andifyouneedtogetoutinahurry,onlyareliablecuttingtoolwilldothetrick.EMTshearshave abluntendthatcanbeusedforgettingbetweenrope/clothingandskinwithoutcausinginjury.A goodwaytotestyourshearsistousethemwhencuttingnewropeto lengthorrefinishingyourendsacleansnipthroughthefulldiameterof yourropeisasignofgoodshears.Safetyhooksareanotheroptioninthis situation,theyworkonthesameprincipleasshears;howevertheyusea muchsharperedgeanddontrelyonthescissorsmotion.Anoteon knives:Somepeopleswearbyknives,butwithoutpropertrainingorhandling,knivesmight causemoreharmthangood.Useyourjudgmentwhenchoosingwhichtoolisrightforyourplay style. EnhancingSafetyWhiletherearemanysafetyconsiderationssurroundingrope,keepinmindthatcombining restraintswithothertypesofplaymayimprovethesafetyofthoseactivities.Forexample,whippingrequiresaccuracy withinaverysmallvariationofdistanceandaboundrecipientwontbeabletomovenearlyasfar.

TheEnvironment
Food,Drink,andRestroomBreaksSure,hurryup,anddontpeeonmyrope!Ahealthyequilibriumofhydration, food,andeliminationisnecessaryforagoodscene.Whilethoughtfullyrequiringyourpartnertodrinkalotofwater priortothescenecanmakeforsomeexcellenthumiliation,unplannedinterruptionscanbehardertoaccommodate whensecurelybound. EnvironmentalConcernsRopeendswillbeflying,heatwillberising,andbeforeyouknowit,furrycreaturesare flailingabouttheplayspace.Watchoutforthingsinyourspacethatcanbeknockedoverbystrayropesuchasdrinks andcandles.Asyouapplyevenasimpletietoyourpartnersbody,theymaygetsurprisinglywarm,soremember,as youaddrope,youmayneedtodecreasethetemperature.Catslovestringandallthingsstringlike.Whiletheymaybe contenttositonthesidelinesofaflogging,manycantresisttheurgetochaseyourendsacrossthefloorandbed!As always,takecareinsettingthespaceforyourscene. ObjectsJustaboutthefirstideapeoplegetwhenconsideringbondageistyingsomeonetothecornersofthebed.This isaverydifficultpositiontoescapefromandmaybetoorestrictiveforsomeonenewtobondage.Also,securing someonetoapieceofdungeonfurnitureoreyeboltinthewallcouldbeaskingfortroubleifthepersonisindangerof fainting.Besurethatthefurnitureisntgoingtotipandthatthoseeyeboltsarentlooseenoughtodropyourpartnerif theyputtoomuchweightonthem.Initialnegotiationsmightrequirethatshearsareplacedwithinyourpartnersreach oravoidingfixedpointsandfurniture.Suspensionbondageisbeyondthescopeofthisdocument,butbeawarethateye boltstypicallyarentinstalledsecurelyenoughordesignedtoholdtheweightrequiredforthisactivity.

TheTie
Tensiondistributingthetensionofatieoveralargersurfaceareasignificantlyreducestheriskofnervedamageand circulationissues.Nontighteningtiesincorporatingmultiplewrapsofropearetheeasiestwaytocovermoresurface areawithoutincreasingthediameterofyourrope.Remember,though,thatmorewrapsofsmallerdiameterropedo nothingtodistributeweightorpressureifthetensiononthewrapsisdifferent.Mostropeexpandswhenitswet, turningaloosecuffintoavicegripwithanextratightknot.Ifyoureworkingwithropethatwillbecomewet(yesthis includessweat),leaveadditionalslackandlooserknotstoheadissuesoffearly.
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BlindfoldsRopeblindfoldsmayputmorepressureonapersonseyesthandesired,consideratraditionalblindfold instead. Pinchingwhilenotatremendoussafetyconcern,pinchingcanbepainfulandarealturnoffduringaropesceneand mayleavemoremarksthandesired.Whenperformingbondagewithmultiplewraps,besurenottotwisttheropeor leavespacesbetweenthewraps. PlanQuickReleases/WorkInStagesWhileitsgoodtohaveacuttingtoolonhand,itsalsoimportanttoknowhowto quicklyreleasedifferentpartsofthebondage.Wrappingsomeonein100ofropeandhavingtoadjustthetensionina particularspotonatiecanbecomeimpossibleifthebondagewereperformedwithasinglepieceofrope.Workin stagesandaddropestoexistingportionsofyourbondageratherthanextendasinglepieceofropeforanentiretie.This allowsforspecificsectionstobemodifiedwithoutremovingeverything,andfromaplayperspective,itallowsyouto reuseportionsofthebondageforadditionalpositions.

AdvancedBondageTopics
Thefollowingtopicsarebeyondthescopeofthisdocumentandareincludedforreaderawareness.Beforeundertaking anyoftheseactivities,seekoutinstructionandresourcesthatapplytoyourfurtherinterests.Allparticipantsare responsiblefortheirownsafety,playwithinyourabilities. StrenuousorTightBondageSomepeopleparticularlyenjoyusingorreceivingverytightbondageorbeingplacedin particularlydifficultpositionswhiletied.Duetothenerveandcirculationissuesinvolvedinsuchties,itisrecommended thatextracarebetakenandadditionalreferencesbetakenintoaccountwhenexploringthistypeofplay. LongTermRestraintPeoplesbodieshavedifferentlimits.Thedurationofbasicbondageisgenerallynomorethan twohours,butsomeenjoybeingtiedforlongerlengthsoftime.Jointsandmusclescancrampovertimeandmayneed specialattentionwhenbeinguntied.RefertoJayWisemansEroticBondageHandbookforinformationonmonitoring thesesituations. SelfBondageManypeopleenjoybindingthemselvesormaynothaveapartnertoparticipateinbondagewith.While therearemanyresourcesfortiesavailableonline,beawarethatthingscangoverywronginisolation.Whenplaying alonepleaseconsidersettingupasafecallforyourself. SuspensionWhilesometiesinthisdocumentcanbeloadbearing,farmoresecuretiesandadditionalknowledgeare requiredbeforeanyoneshouldengageinsuspensionbondage.Icannotresponsiblyteachsuspensionbondageonpaper orinalargegroup,nordoIfeelcomfortableinstructingindividualsinsuspensionasIvestillgotplentytolearnmyself! Incorrectlyperformedsuspensionrunstheriskoffailingeveryoneoftheabovesafetyconcernsandisconsiderededge play.Pleaseseekindividualorsmallgroupinstructionfromanexperiencedbondagepractitionerbeforeattemptingto recreateorinventanysuspensionscenarios,thisinstructioncanbeobtainedatmanyoftheeventsandworkshopslisted intheeventssectionofthishandout.

KnowYourRope
Ropecomesinmanydifferentshapes,sizes,andmaterialsherearesomebasics. AnatomyUnlessyoureamagician,yourropehastwoendsandamiddle.Ifyoufoldyourropeoversothatbothends aretouching,theloopmadeatthemiddleoftheropeiscalledthebight. MaterialOvertime,ropehasbeenmadeofmanydifferentmaterialsincludingfibrousplants(hemp,jute,sisal, cotton),plastics(MFPmultifilamentpolypropylene,nylon),andevenmetal(forindustrialuseslikesuspensionbridge supports).Syntheticmaterialsarehypoallergenic,veryeasytoclean,anddontneedspecialconditioningbeforetheir use.Nylonropefromthehardwarestoreisthecheapestandeasiestropetocomeby.Nyloniswhiteandisusuallysold inbulklengthsaswellasinpackagesof50and100.Whilenyloncanbedyedavarietyofcolors,MFPropecanbe obtainedinawidevarietyofbrightanddeepcolorsandisgreatforthecolorenthusiast.NaturalFiberropesstartlife
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witharoughandunyieldingtextureandmayrequireconditioningpriortouseinbondage.Somenaturalfiberssuchas Juteareadverselyaffectedbywaterandthereforeshouldntbeexposedtobodilyfluidswithmultiplepartners.Another considerationwithnaturalfiberropesisthattheymaytriggergrassallergieswithsomepeople.Hempisagoodnatural fibertouseasithashighstrengthandlowstretch,anditcanalsobesoftenedbytreatmentandcleanedinawashing machine.Somepeopleenjoythefeelingofroughrope,notablysisalropefoundinmosthardwarestores.Beawarethat thesisalfibersarestiffandbrittle,creatingatendencytoleavesplintersintheskin. LengthAsidefromdiameter,lengthistheothertopquestionforthosenewtoropebondage.Muchefforthasbeen puttowardmaintainingdifferentlengthsofropesuchascolorcodedwhippingorropeandspecialmarkingsneareach end.IfyoumainlyuseropetorestrainyourpartnershandstothecornersofyourbedorontoaSt.Andrewscrossyou canusemuchshorterlengthsthanifyouenjoycreatingropecorsetswithoutaddingnewlengthseverycouplewraps. Somewillrecommendusinglengthsbasedonthesizeofyourpartnersbody,butifyouplaywithmanypartnersor yourenotalwaystyingthesamepartofyourpartner,youmaynothaveaconvenientlength.Commonlengthsfor Japanesestyleropeworkare7m,8m,and30ft.Anotherruleofthumbistobasethelengthoffofyourarmspan,thus dictatinghowmanypullsyouneedtomaketopullanentireropethroughalooportie.(Whenfoldedinhalf,30is slightlylongerthan2armspansofa6tallperson) DiameterThediameterofyourropedeterminesmanyofitsproperties,includingstrength,abilitytoholdknots, weight,andwrapwidth.Thinnercordmakesforamuchsmallerropebagandallowstyingofmoredelicateareas, includinggenitalandheadbondage,whilethickerropeisreminiscentofdamselindistresstiedtotherailroadtracks bondage.Thickerropealsoprovidesmoresurfaceareawhenwrappingbodypartsandislesslikelytocausenerve compression.Mostbondageropeisbetweentoinch(or6to8mm)indiameter. BraidedorTwistedHistorically,ropewasmadewithnaturalfiberstwistedintocords,andthosecordsweretwisted togetherintheoppositedirectiontomakearope.Mosttwistedropeusesthreestrands,andwillcontain100%oftheir constituentmaterial.Braidedropes,ontheotherhand,aremuchsmootherandhaveafewdifferentdesignswhose mostnotabledifferenceisthepresenceofacore.Bearinmindthatthecoreofabraidedropemaybecomprisedof unknownmaterials(identifiedonthebagorspoolas100%mixedfibers)whichcanhaveadifferentelasticityofthe sheath.Thiscanbedangerousastheelasticitydifferencemayaffectthetensionofyourties.Somepeoplepurchase coredropeandpulloutthecoreoncetheropehasbeencuttolength,creatingamuchsofterropethatlaysflatteron onesskin.Solidbraidropehasthesameoutwardappearanceascoredropebutismuchdenserandismadefrom100% oftheirconstituentmaterial. StretchNylonandPolypropyleneropeshaveahighstretchamount,whichmeansthattherestrictivebondagemight beslippingandsliding20minuteslater.Ontheotherhand,naturalfiberropehasverylittlestretchandwillmaintainits tensionformuchlonger.Climbingropesvarybasedontheirdesignanduse.areratedfortheirstretchrate,withsome beingdesignedtoabsorbtheshockofafall(highstaticelongation)andotherdesignedforliftingastaticload(lowstatic elongation). BurnRatePullingropethroughwrapsagainsttheskinoraroundbodypartscanquicklyturnfromasensualslithertoa searingshowstopper!Naturalfibrousmaterialstendtochafeorabradewhenpulledacrossskin;however,smooth syntheticmaterialswillburnfarmorequicklyandthusaresaidtohaveahighburnrate.Runyourropethroughyour fingerswhenusingunfamiliarornewropewhileyoureevaluatingtheburnrate,yourpartnerissquirmingintheirseat wonderingwhatsgoingtocomenext. Stillwonderingwhattouse?ChoosetoysthatyoucanconnectwithDoyoulovetheutilityofthenylonyoufoundin thegarage?Areyouaclimberwholikesthestrengthofclimbingline?Doyoulovetheearthysmellofnaturalfibers?Do youpreferropemarkscausedbytwistedrope?Doheavierdensitymaterials(likehemp)feelmorepowerfulthan syntheticmaterials?

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RopeEnds
Whilethebightisprettystraightforward,peoplesropeendsareasvariedasthepeopleusingthem.Oneproblemwith cuttingaropeisthattheendstendtofrayifnotproperlyfinishedandmanywaystofinishropehavebeenusedover time.Oftenitiseasiertofinishyourendspriortocuttingyourrope,thiswaythematerialdoesntfrayaftercutting. Knottingbyfarthequickestwaytofinisharopeisputtingatightoverhandknotintheendandtrimmingtheexcess. Thiscreatessmallknotsontheendofyourropewhichbecomeveryusefulinextendingyourrope. WhippingWhippingropeinvolveswrappingtheropeinsometypeofthread,oftenembroideryflosstokeeptheend fromfraying.Thereexistmanymethodsofwhippingrope,fromverysimplewrappingandtuckingtobombproof methodsusedbysailorsofold.Belowisoneexampleofsuchwhipping,manymoreareavailableontheinternet. TapingWrappingyourendswithelectricaltapeisanotherquickandsimplemethodtoreducefrayingandproduces verycleanends,andsincemultiplecolorsofelectricaltapenowexist,youcancoordinatevariouslengthsormatchyour favoritetoys.Priortocuttinganewlengthofrope,wrapabout1ofelectricaltapearoundyourropeandcutinthe centerofthetapethiswillresultinneatlytapedendswithverylittlewaste. MeltingMeltingtheendsofsyntheticropecreatesasolidmassofplasticattheendofyourropewhichcannot unravel.Oftenwhenpurchasingbulkrope,anelectricknifeisusedtomeltthroughtherope,butyoucanachievethe sameeffectbybrieflypassingyourendsoveraflameuntiltheystarttomelttogether. DippingTooldipisacommonitemonmanykinkyworkbenchesanditcanalsobeusedtofinishropes.YoucandipaU shapedpieceofropeintothetooldip,letitdry,andthencuttomakeyourends.

MaterialandFinishingExamples

Whipped6mmTwistedHemp

Knotted6mmTwistedJute

BraidedCottonWithCore

TapedSolidBraidMFP

Melted4mmBraidedNylonw/Core

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Knots
Ifyouthoughtboatingschoolorthatpeskymeritbadgewashard,youreinforatreat!Oneofthecommonlaments surroundingropebondageisIdontknowanyknots.Thebadnewsisthatitcanbedifficulttotiewithoutknots,but thegoodnewsisthatveryfewknotsarerequiredforeffectivebondage.Thefollowingfourknotswillgetyouveryfar andyouprobablyknowafewofthem! SquareKnotTheclassicrightoverleft,leftoverrightsquareknotisareallyhandynonslippingknotthatcanbeused totieacuffthatdoesntrestrictunderstrain.Alsoknownasareefknot. OverhandKnotThisistheeasiestknottotieandonlyrequirestheendofonepieceofrope.Overhandknotsarethe onesthatshowupinyourshoelacesandcanbequitedifficulttoremove.Theoverhandknotisasmallknotthatcanbe usedattheendofyourropeinsteadofwhippingtheends.Asidefrombeingeasytotie,thesmallknotisperfectfor attachingadditionalpiecesofropeasyougetfurtherinyourbondageandtheslightpoppingsoundoftheknotpassing underawrapwhenyoupulltheendsofyourropethroughaddstothefun!

LarksHeadNevertobeusedaloneasacuff,thisconstrictingknotisusedtoattachropetoexistingbondage,create ropecorsets,andcanbeusedtowraplimbsinsuchawayastocreatemanyattachmentpointsforfurtheruse.Ifyou useknottedendsonyourrope,oneofthecoolestusesofthelarksheadistoattachanewropetotheendofanother segment.

Placethebightbehindanobjectandpulltheendsthroughtocreatealarkshead.

Createanemptylarksheadbyfoldingthebightdownandpullingthetailsslightlythroughthebight,thenplaceyouradditional pieceofropeinthelarksheadloopandpulltight.

HalfHitchusedonitsown,thehalfhitchisaquickwaytouseupextraropeinatie,andoncedoubledortripled,it canbeusedtoholdanyropeundertensionwhilestillallowingacertainamountofslipfortensionadjustment.Ifyou findthattwohalfhitchesareslippingtooeasily,adda3rdor4thsincedifferentmaterialshavedifferentamountsof friction.

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Usedsingly,ahalfhitchisntveryeffective,butaddinganotherhalfhitchortwocreatesaknotthatcanbeuseddoadjust tensioninaline.

Whenallelsefails,wrapandtuck!Oneofthegreatestwaystofinishatieinapleasingmanneristowraptheremaining ropearoundsomeelementofthebondageandtucktheendsbelowthelastwrap.Notonlydoesthissavethebulkand complexityofaddedknots,italsoaddsanicevisualelementtothework.

ClassicRestraintReplacements
Mostropeischeaperthanleathercuffs,andmanyotherrestraintsareevenpricier.Manyoftheclassicrestraintsused inkinkyplaycanbereproducedwithquickandeffectiveties.Eachofthesetiesstartsatthebightandcreatesagreat pulleysystemtomoveknotsoutofreachandprovideeasylengthadjustmentoncetied.Bodiescanbeconceptually reducedtoacompositionofcolumns.Arms,legs,andtorsosareindividualcolumns. SingleColumnTieStartingwiththebight,wraptwicearoundyourpartnersarmjustabovethewrist(13).Afterthe secondwrap,passthebightacrossthewraps(4)andthenunderthecuff(5).Tieasquareknotusingtheremainderof thebightandthestandinglinetocompletethecuff(6&7).Addadditionalwrapsifyoudlikedependingonyourropes thickness,butremember,steps4and5ensurethateachofthewrapsexertsthesameamountofforceifpulled.

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TwoColumnTiePlacetwoarmsparalleltoeachotherandwrapthebightaroundbothlimbstwice,leavinggenerous roombetweenthewrists(1&2).Afterthesecondwrap,crossthebightwiththeremainingropesothattheyreparallel tothearms(3).Passtheendsoftheropetotheothersideofthetieandcompletewithasquareknot(4&5These photographsweretakenfrombelowthearms).

ArmBinderStartingwithatwocolumntieasdescribedabove.Wraptheremainingropearoundbothlimbsandpull theendsbackthroughthewrapinthecenterofthearms(2)cinchthewrapbypassingtheendsbetweenthearms towardthehands,andpulltheendbacktothefrontofthetietowrapagain(3).Repeatsteps2and3withthe remainderoftheropeandthensecuretheendsbehindtheneckwithasquareknot(6).

Getcreativewiththetwocolumntie!Imaginevariouspositionspossiblebyaligningdifferentcolumns.Upperarmto lowerarm,upperlegtolowerleg,armtoleg,armtotorso,lowerleftarmtoupperrightarmincludeasecondpartner andthepossibilitiesstartseemingendless!

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Style&Approach
Forsome,thebondageendshere.Itsameanstoanendnamely,restrainttoprepareforadditionalplay.Whetherits waxing,spanking,cutting,caning,whipping,orflogging,manykinkactivitiesbenefitfromphysicalrestraint.This pragmaticformofbondageisenoughformost.Furtherbondage,forthesolesakeofbondagecanalsobeanendunto itself. EasternandWesternculturalimageryhaveinfluencedtheclassicbondagestylespracticedinthoseregions. WesternBondageHoudini,Rodeos,DamselsinDistress,DetectiveInterrogations,BettiePage,WonderWoman thesearethebondageimagesthathaveinfusedtheUnitedStatesculture.ClassicWesternbondageusessinglestrands oflargediameter,white,cottonropeofvaryinglengthsandofteninvolvespredicaments,suchasbeingtiedtothe railroadtracks,drugbehindahorse,tiedtoalogatasawmill.Theseimagesappearinthefirstmovies,earlyfetish photography,cartoons,andevenmodernpopculture.Westernbondagecoversmanystylesclean,messy,minimalist, andexaggeratedbutthegoalisoftenfirmlyrootedinfunctionality. JapaneseStyleBondageBondageandwaxplayisasprevalentinJapanaswhipsandchainsareinWesternkink.With itsHojujitsuroots,Japanesestylebondagepatternsechoelementsofthemartialart.Boxties,bodyharnesses,and full/partialsuspensionsarecommonsightsinpornography,manga,andhentai.Thepositionsseencommonlyin Japaneseropearethoseofsubmissionandhumiliationratherthanstrugglingcaptives.Exposureandshameareplayed uponheavilyalso,asJapaneseropemodelsshowfacesofsadnessandintrospectionastheyretied,fullydressed,and thenuncoveredslowlyinashamefulmanner.Japanesestyleropebondagegenerallyuses78mJuteorHemprope, oftennaturallycolored,ratherthandyed.WithpresentationandvisualstylebeingsoimportanttoJapaneseculture, evenasecurelyboundbodyisconsideredtobeacanvaswheresimplicityorpatternsofintricateknots,wraps,and twistsformanartisticcomplimenttoanotherwisestraightforwardactivity. ShibariJustaspaperfoldingandservingteahavebecomehighlyritualizedcrafts,sotoohasropebondage.Thisstyle offormalizedbondageisknownasShibariandispracticedandtaughtinJapanbyanumberofmasters.Shibaritiesare thoughtfullydesignedandexecutedwithbeauty,functionality,safety,andahostofadditionalcriteriainmind reminiscentofHojojutsu.Thesepatternsaremeanttoberepeatableandaretaughttostudentswiththeintentof practiceandmastery.Whilethisallseemsshroudedinmystery,itsveryclearthattheconceptofShibariinJapanhasa verystrictdefinitionthatneednotbecooptedorupdatedsothatitcanincludepeoplewhohavelearnedtheirstyle basedonimagesorvideosleavingJapan,orfrompeoplewhodonthaveformaltrainingthemselves. CommonwoesrelatedtoropebondageareIttakestoolong!andIdontknowwhattodonext!Whilegreatability inanypursuittakestimeandpractice,greatnessisntrequiredfortohavefun.Rememberthatyouretyingathingof beautyanddesire.Justlikethemacaroniartyoumadeforyourparentsbackingradeschool,anyattemptwillbe noticed.Withallofthevariationsinropes,bodies,skill,andsoforth,itstobeexpectedthatyourbondagewontlook exactlyliketheexampleyouvebaseditonortheideainyourmindseye.Beingflexible,relaxing,andenjoyingyourself areveryusefulingettingthemostfromyourexplorations!

UntyingandAftercare
Untyinggetsitsownsectionsincemanypeopleenjoybeinguntiedjustasmuchifnotmorethanbeingtiedinthefirst place!Dependingonthematerialofyourrope,themoodofthescene,andtastesofthoseinvolved,comingoutofthe bondagecantakemanyforms.Itcouldbealingeringsensualprocess,aroughburningone,amethodicalexamination, anexcruciatingchallenge(haveyourpartnerholdthepositiontheywereboundin),arediscoveryofonesfreedom,an escapeartiststrial,oratransitiontoyetanotherboundposition.Keepburnrateandpinchinginmindwhenuntying too,thatcandefinitelydiminishtheeroticsuspense!Limbsandjointsthathavebeeninvolvedinbondagecantakea minutetorecoverfrompositions.Eitherhelpyourpartnerslowlyreturntheirlimbstoanormalposition,orletthem moveattheirownpace.Thisisalsoanexcellenttimetomassageanystressedmusclesorjointsaspartofaftercare. Whencomingoutofbondage,bepreparedforyourpartnertocooldownsignificantly.Itmaynotseemlikeclothing,but removingtheropesalmostinvariablylowerstheirbodytemperature.
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StoringRope
Onceyouredonewithyourropeforawhile,itsveryusefultospendalittletimekeepingitorganizedforthenexttime youwanttopullitout.Notonlydoesthismakelifeeasierforthenextplaysession,buthandlingyourropecanhelpyou buildfamiliaritywithhowitfeelsandmovesinyourhands.Everyprofessionthatusesropeorcablingofanysortseems tohaveitsownmethodforropestoragewithstrengthsthatbenefititsusersropebondageisnodifferent.Many peopledoubleuptheirropeanduseachainstitch,thismethodisoutlinedonmanywebsites,soIllskipithere.Two otherusefulstoragemethodsare: Tieaslipknotatthebightofyourropeandthenfoldtheropeinhalfuntiltheresjustenoughlengthtoeasilytie anotherslipknotusingtheentiretyoftherope.Thismethodcanbetheatricallyuntiedwithtwosnappingmotions; however,itsnotstableenoughtotravelwellinatoybagwithoutfallingapart.

Startingwiththeends,wraptheropeinafigure8betweenyourthumbs,leavingenoughremainingropetocircleyour bundleafewtimes.Tuckthebightunderthefinalwraptocreateaquickwaytounwrapyourropeandgettobusiness! Thesebundlesareusefulforstorageandgeneralusesincetheydonteasilyfallapart.

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Tips&Tricks
Pullingropeismucheasierthanpushingit! Insteadoffishingtheropethroughawrap,putafingerthroughandhookitontotheropeandthenpullitthrough. Usethebigholeiftheresaholetouse,thenuseitinsteadofpushingaropethroughacrampedspace. Surfacetensionisawesome,trypouringliquiddownarope. Createaniceknotbyonlypullingasmallamountofropethroughawrap,thentwistthenewlycreatedsmallbightand feedtherestoftheropethroughit. Thinkbeforeaddingonwhenaddingarope,askyourselfifyoullsaveacompletepullthroughifyouaddafterthenext wrap,orpassthebightofthenewropethroughtheoppositedirection. Iftheendsofyourropedontlandinaconvenientspacetoaddanotherpiece(suchasthearmpitarea),addan additionalwraportwotogetyourendstomove. Dontalwaysaddtotheendofyourrope,insteadhookintopreexistingbondagebyknottingonasmallloopandfill emptycanvas. Whencrossingoveranotherrope,addatwistorknotinsteadoflettingtheopportunitytoembellishandstabilizegoby. Makeastickwhenpullingropethroughajointorothersensitivearea,pulltheropetaughtbetweenyourhandsto helpitpassmoreeasily. Portionsofthebondagedonthavetostandalone,createabodyharnessandattachanankletoitwithasinglecolumn tie,useyourimaginationtoreuseexistingpieces. Startwithideasofwhereyoudliketotakethebondage,ratherthanfeelinglikeyouhavetoadlibeachtime. GoGoGo!Yesyouwantyourtiestolookgood,butspending50yearswonderingwhattodonextwonthelpyou improve.Trythings!Itsokayifitfails,yourelearning! Handsarethefirstthingtogowheninbondage,bepreparedtoperformatemporarytieorfindsomeotherwayto occupyyourpartnershandsandtiethemlast! Applyconstanttensiontotheropewhentyingsothatthebondagedoesntfallapartonyou. Removeyourshoessoyoucanfeelyourropesunderyou. Theresnoonetruewayforropebondage.Besafeandresponsible,andhavefundoingyourownthing.Dontlimit yourselftosomeoneelsesideasofstyleorquality.

RopeResources
ThecenteroftheJapaneseropeworldintheUSisDSArtsThissiteismaintainedbyJimiTatu,educator,lifestyler,etc hisleatherresumeisimpressiveandhesbeenaropefetishistforaverylongtime.Hesthefounderofthe AdultRopeARtsyahoogroupwhichisfrequentedbythetopinternationallyknownriggers.Thelistismoderatedvery wellandtheconversationstaysontopic.TheAdultRopeARtsgrouphomepagehasagreatgalleryandanEXTENSIVE linkssection.Mostofthefollowinginformationisavailablethroughlinkslistedonthegroup.http://www.dsarts.com

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Books
Rope,Bondage,andPoweristhefirstbookIvebeenpublishedin!MyessayThePowerOfFluencyexploreshow onesfamiliaritywithropeevolvesfromatoy,intoatool,andultimatelyanextensionoftheirwill,alongwiththeeffects thishasontheirscenes.ThebookiseditedbyLeeHarringtonandcontainsadditionalworksbysomeofthegreatest riggersaroundtheworld.Whiletheotherbookslistedherepresentgreattechnicalinformation,thisbookexploresthe personalsideofbondage.(ISBN:1935509020) JayWisemansEroticBondageHandbookthisbookgoesoverthebasicsofsafety,ropeselection,andbasicties.Youll beexposedtoquiteafewdifferentknots,butrememberthatyoucangetbywithalarksheadandasquareknot!Ive seencopiesofthisbookatnumerousBordersStores,otherwiseyoucangetitonlineatamazon,ordirectlyfrom GreeneryPress,thebookspublisher(Quickplug,GreeneryPresshasatonofgreatbooks!JayWisemanfoundedthe presswhichalsoprintsSM101,TheEthicalSlut,TheTopping&BottomingBooks,andmanymore!)(ISBN:1890159131) TheSeductiveArtofJapaneseBondageMidorisbookillustratesstepbystepmethodsforcreatingsomevery complexlookingties.Itsagreatconfidencebuilderandwillhelpgetideasflowingforadditionalties!(ISBN: 1890159387) LeeBridgettHarringtonsShibariYouCanUseandChantaRosesBondageforSexaregreatcompanionbooks Leeisveryartisticandexplainstheconceptsbehindthehumanmacramharnessesanddecorative/clothingaspectsof rope,whereasChantastalksaboutbondagepositionsforsexandfunctionalties.Bridgettwasfeaturedrecentlyon RopeWeeklyandChantahasbeenmakingthepodcastroundsaswellcheckoutRopeWeeklyandFetishFlameforthe interviews.(HarringtonISBN:097787270X,RoseISBN:0977723801) ShowingYoutheRopesandthefollowupbookBackontheRopesbytheTwoKnottyBoyshasatonofstepby steptiesthatarewelllaidoutandeasytofollow.Asidefrombeinganinformativesource,thisbookisalsovery reasonablypriced.(ISBNs:193116049X,1931160694)

Tutorial Sites
Twistedmonksvideotutorialscoverthesingleanddoublecuffspresentedinthisworkshop: http://www.twistedmonk.com/video.htm RopefashionshasmanystepbystepJapaneseandWesterntutorials:http://www.ropefashions.com Japanropehaslotsofbeautifulphotobasedtutorials:http://www.japanrope.com Kinkyropes.comhasmanyWesternstylecuffandknotexamples:http://www.kinkyropes.com MorTis(thefounderofShibariconwhocreatedChicagosropescene)hasplentyofgreatJapanesestyletutorialsonhis site:http://www.bdsmchicago.com

Vendors
TwistedMonksstapleisorganichemprope,butstopbytofindafewexoticgoodies,books,andhardwareaswell! http://www.twistedmonk.com JackElfrinksellscentermarkedropemadefrommanydifferentnaturalfibers.Hellhappilysendyouasampleofhis ropetouseforallergytesting.http://www.kinkyropes.com Rawganiqueistheimporterusedbymanyropevendorsfortheiruntreteadhempstock,aminimumorderisrequired thoughthefirsttimesampleorderpricethresholdisrelativelylow.http://www.rawganique.com Rainbowropesellsallvarietiesofhardware,MFP,andHempropes.http://www.rainbowrope.com
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BossBondageisanotherfineretailerofHempropes.http://www.bossbondage.com VintageRopehasJute,Hemp,andavarietyofsyntheticsaswell.http://www.vintagerope.com HomeDepot,Lowes,Menardsanyhomeimprovementstoreisakinkypersonsbestfriend.Youcanpickup200of 100%nylontwistedropeandcutitintowhateverlengthsyoudlikeataverylowcost.

Events
ShibariconThisannualChicagoeventoccursoverMemorialDayandwasthefirstlargescaleeventofitstype.Notto bemissed,thisisoneofthegreatestropeeventsintheUS!http://www.shibaricon.com MidoritravelsallovertheUSandCanadaforherropedojoswhichselloutveryquickly.Checkhersiteforupcoming events.http://www.ropedojo.com JimiTatu,founderoftheAdultRopeArtsyahoogroupattendsmanyregionalBDSMeventsandisagreatteacher. http://dsarts.com/ MaxsworkshopsareheldinSeattleonasemimonthlybasis,hewalkedmethroughmyfirstsuspensionandisgreatat whathedoes!http://www.bondagelessons.com LeeBridgettHarringtonisaprolificropeartist,educator,writerHecanbefoundatmanyeventsandisdefinitely worthmeeting!http://www.passionandsoul.com DenverBoundWorkshopOrganizedbyRobertandLillyinDenver,CO,thislocalgroupmeetsmonthlyandhostsa largereventeachFallwithpresentersfromacrosstheUS.http://www.denverbound.com MN_RopeMinnesotaRopemeetsmonthlyandhasgrownconsiderablysincetheirinception.Theiryahoogroupisat http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mn_rope

Other Resources
TheRopecastisasemiweeklypodcastonallthingsrelatedtoropebondage.http://rope.podshow.com HeresanarticlebyAngeleneBlackontreatingrope,thisprocessiswellknownforcreatingverynicefinishedhemp rope.http://dsarts.com/RopeArt/FinishingHemp.html FetishimagesbyLochai:http://www.kirianwa.com GraydancersGallery:http://www.graydancer.com/gallery TheNationalCoalitionforSexualFreedomsKinkAwareProfessionalsList:http://www.ncsfreedom.org/kap/index.htm ThefollowingWikipediaarticlesareveryusefulforfurtherbackgroundinformationonmanyofthehistoricaland generaltopicsintroducedabove: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whipping_knot http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drunken_Sailor http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rope http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drawing_and_quartering http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hojujitsu

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Conclusion
Ifyouvemadeitthisfar,yourewellonyourwaytoalotmorefunintheworldofrope.Usetheresourcesabovetofind moreinformation,attendanevent,orgetsomeinspiration.Themostimportantthingtorememberisthatreadingisno substitutefordoing,sogetoutthereandstarttying!Practicemakesperfect! Thanksforreadingandhavefun! LqqkOut lqqkout@kinkfriendly.org PS:AsIattendevents,Ioftenpointpeopletowardthisguide.Ifyoufoundthisinformationusefulorwouldliketo provideinput,pleasesendmeanemail,Idlovetohearfromyou!

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