We've been feeling like some classic corporal punishment for a while, so we decided to devote our Sunday afternoon play session entirely to it. I laid out a few favorite canes and crops:
Regular readers might identify a few there, including my
Central Asian plaited leather horsewhip,
S(A)X's black Delrin cane, our rawhide cane,
the whangee cane and my two beloved
Eric Carwardine canes.
As you can see from both the photo and that list, one's favorite canes can be made of many materials. At sex stores these days you are more likely to find synthetic canes (Delrin, Lexan, fibreglass etc). I go into detail about playing with Delrin canes in
this post, about S(A)X's black Delrin cane. All the modern synthetic types of cane are smooth and easy to clean and look after. I enjoy using them very much.
Katherine Hawks once described them as:
"absolutely brutal. Unless your bottom is a hard-core masochist who doesn't need much of a warm-up, many of the synthetic canes will turn your partner off to this delicious practice".
So they are great on sol. But. I have to say if you asked me to choose a single cane from my toy box it would be a rattan one...
And no, that's not just because of my love of Victorian porn *
grin*. Classic rattan canes are usually 30 - 36 inches in length and come in various diameters ranging from 1/4 to 3/4 inch. I find I am able to control them better, which is very important when you are using extremely flexible implements, and it just feels and sounds right when it cuts through the air and strikes.
I adore caning, and it's sol's favorite technique, and we really have fun with it. I also love doing double canings with friends like MzAntonina. I love the formality of the cane, and the rituals involved - selecting it, swishing it around and making it sing ... I remember
posting in 2007:
"Sol's lunch time 10 minute canings are continuing successfully. They definitely capture his attention - he described the after effect of today's session (which used a leather flogger as a warm up tool, followed by a rattan cane, a leather wrapped cane and my favorite rawhide cane) as "kind of warm all over with spikes", lol."
But I have to be honest - I'm a perfectionist and it's not something I'm expert at yet. I even stopped caning for a while because I felt we were not getting anywhere with it. Sol (like many subs) finds it hard to verbalize during scenes, and yes, certainly I can learn a lot about how to strike from his body's responses (breathing etc). But it's frustrating to be doing something wrong and not be told about it until
the end of the scene, because he wants me to be in control
during the scene. That sentence will only make sense to someone with a sub with a similar mindset LOL.
Which is why I am looking forward to attending our friend
NotExcessive's Caning Workshop at Satet's in Brisbane in early July. I promise to pass on lots of interesting tips :)
For today's play I was not after precision or gracefully matched marks on each cheek. Today I just wanted to have some fun practicing with a variety of implements of different materials and different lengths, and see how long we could both last. I also wanted to try two different things, I'll get to those in a moment.
I instructed sol to wear something pretty, leaving his backside bare. I then up ended him, unrestrained, over the Turkish floor cushion which we'd placed on the daybed:
You can cane other areas of the body but sol likes his pain on erogenous zones so we focus on his ass. The trouble is, sol's as thin as a rake, which means that sometime there isn't much of a backside to cane. So we've learned to position him in ways that make the most of this asset. Also, as hot as it looks to restrain him upright on a St Andrew's Cross, it just doesn't work as well for caning. Over the cushions or (to give another example) over the back of a chair provides full body support so he can relax his leg and ass muscles and focus on sensation, rather than trying to support himself.
Now, be honest ... have you ever seen such a delectable sight as this photo?:
All those toys AND a perfect unmarked ass waiting for them
*happy sigh*.
Usually we prefer what's called cold caning, which is without a warm up. There is a long running debate between corporal punishment enthusiasts over whether a warm up is necessary. This post by somnambulist on a British Caning Society forum
thread about "preheating" gives the "for" case:
"There are three arguments I can think of in favour of the warmup ... The first is that it spends some of that precious time, being dominated and physically hurt, before the serious punishment that can make you bleed begins, thus making the session last and building to a climax.
"A second argument is that the pain of being spanked [as part of a warm up ritual] gets endorphins flowing and makes the caning more bearable. It's undeniable. But is that really what I want from a caning? No! I WANT the caning to be unbearable without a massive effort of will.
"The third argument is probably the reason why I do normally - always - opt for a warmup, and that's the idea that being spanked, strapped etc can actually prepare the flesh and DELAY the moment when you bleed from the cane. Now - can this really be true?"
Bob Ashton
responded:
"Warm ups work simply by making the skin more elastic. That's all there is to it.
"You could actually get the same effect sitting on a radiator! ... Being warmed up will not reduce the sub-cutaneous damage but it will make the skin less likely to tear. So if you want the maximum force caning with the minimum of bleeding a warm up is essential. However, as the warm-up will doubtless induce some numbing and release endorphins it won't feel the same as a cold caning and really, all it does is allow more bruising with less skin damage.."
CP enthusiasts wanting pain without skin damage might find
his final post on the thread of interest as well:
"A hot water bottle would work just as well - probably better!
"If you want to avoid skin damage without reducing the amount of pain then direct application of heat will accomplish that as it will not cause the numbness you get with CP warm ups, nor will it cause your brain to release endorphins so that is a further benefit in simulating a 'cold' caning.
"Make sure that the area involved is well warmed. It's not just the skin that needs to be warmed through but the subcutaneous fat layer, too"
So why was I planning a warm up? Because today's play was in part to continue to learn about caning, I'd decided to try a warm up to see if it changed sol's responses. I was also planning to have sol count the strokes. There are
pros and cons about having your sub count during a scene. We usually don't, but today I wanted to try something different. Sol is rarely verbal during scenes, so how would counting affect his translation into subspace?
Eric Carwardine has written an excellent article about
"preparing the buttocks". Another "how to" caning article
notes that:
"Preparation of the target area is much the same in caning as it is for all flagellation forms. The skin needs to be warmed up. This can be achieved with a light drumming effect of the area with no force behind the strikes. Sometimes a spanking warm up achieves this best and it is after all a nice combination. Make sure the play area is warm. When the skin gets that lovely healthy rosy complexion and the skin is warm to touch you are in a position to start actual cane play. The submissive/bottom should be deeply relaxed..."
Eric and other caning experts recommend massage, however in sol's case there's not much to massage. So I warmed sol up with one of our oldest toys, a S(A)X black leather strap with sheepskin on one side:
I alternated sets of five strokes with turning the implement over and caressing his cheeks with the soft sheepskin.
A quick glance between his legs showed he was enjoying all this way too much:
So I applied this nifty little device that we purchased from
Black Leather Premium Leather to his cock and balls:
Once his cheeks were nice and rosy, it was time to get more serious. I put the house clock where I could see it, both for timing the scene as a whole and for timing strokes.
There are many different styles of caning. It may differ to your own experiences and preferences but I found this to be a
good description of what caning is all about for me:
"Caning has absolutely nothing to do with how hard one can strike. It has to do with timing, rhythm and building to a desired end result. With caning, unlike flogging or other flagellation forms, contact with the flesh takes time to register. Canes are deep tissue implements. It takes time for the throb to manifest and rise through the tissue. Nerve ends compress and expand. One must take the time to allow that process to take place. So it is pointless striking quickly with power"
This is the effect I desire to
achieve:
"One stroke “of the best” feels like a knife edge of fire and lightning that blots out every other thought and sensation. As the initial blaze fades, an aftershock — still sharp, localized, but with a bit of dull achiness — begins to sink in, feeling as if the stripe runs clear to the bone and beyond. Then the stroke fades to an afterglow some may find almost pleasant, others, almost endurable. The second is the same ... only more so..."
You may have noticed in the photo showing all the toys that we've purchased implements of different diameters and
lengths as well as different materials:
"The length of the cane governs the strike capacity. A longer cane (for the experienced only) delivering the greater strike power. With a thicker cane one gets more impact or thud and of course a wider more controlled strike. A thinner version – more sting, they may (in inexperienced hands) cut, especially if welts are crossed, much more control is needed.
"The rule simply being: small diameter – sharp stingy pain. Larger diameter – thud (dull pain because of the deeper tissue penetration)"
"I want you to count the strokes today", I said. "Yes, Mistress" said sol, slightly muffled, face down in the daybed. I moved his head so I could hear him better. Then ... decisions decisions ... what toy to start with?
I started with our lighter Eric Carwardine cane for a good warm period, then moved to the heavier cane. These were all quite light fast strokes, as I just wanted to get a good rhythm going:
Eric is for many Australian kinksters the best cane maker in the country. You can read how Eric makes his canes
here. His canes are instantly recognizable by how he tapes the grip area:
You might have noticed my leather gloves. I like to wear these for longer caning sessions, I find I can do much more. In regard to how you
hold a cane:
"A major fault in caning on the dominant's role, is the hand grip of the cane. This is especially true with rattan and bamboo which are light and have vibration. The idea of caning is to send the vibration into the submissive and not travel into the arm or body of the dominant.
"The best grip is to lightly hold the cane in the strong hand, just light enough as to not let it drop or slip but, not so tight as to squeeze it. Perhaps picturing pinching the index finger and thumb with the cane in between. The other fingers are to be loose and by closing the fingers as squeezing a spray bottle to spray, is the best analogy to describe formal canings hand grip.
"Another way to sabotage the cane's effect is by keeping the hand closed tight or to use the index finger to point onto the cane. This actually mutes the cane."
I often have to correct my grip. I'm particularly bad at pointing my index finger down the cane. I do it to increase my control, but of course it also mutes it.
In regard to
technique:
"You will find there are two basic techniques used for caning, the ‘wrist only method’ and the ‘arm, wrist and shoulder method’. The wrist movement entails only the movement of the wrist and a portion of the lower arm. If you were to view the actual movement involved it would be between two and three inches only at the axis (the point at which the cane is enclosed by the hand) the elbow is tucked against the body and the power is generated by movement in the lower arm only using rapid wrist movement to flick the cane at the target area. The flexibility of the cane can used to some advantage here and takes some control on the part of the user but over all you have a greater degree of accuracy using this method. This is often referred to as tattooing. You won’t be able to get any real power behind the blows but you can build to a constant level varying speeds as you go. Most submissive find tattooing sensual and it prepares the target area for what is to come.
"The ‘wrist, arm and shoulder method’ requires the arm to move away from the body and the shoulder to be placed behind the power of the stroke finishing with a wrist movement to control the strike pushing the cane into the target area. This method requires a greater degree of accuracy and therefore a great deal of practise beforehand. The swing can either be in a horizontal or vertical arc. To gain the accuracy required try holding the can further in from the end, thus shortening it, as your confidence grows move the hand back gradually to the end of the cane. This is in effect shortening and gradually lengthening the stroke of the cane. Using this method you can either – follow through the stroke – holding it can as it strikes firmly into the flesh of the buttocks for a greater degree of pain – or allow the cane to bounce back and lift away from the buttocks for a lighter blow. With either is is wise to allow the pain to rise to the surface, so to speak, timing your strokes to gain the maximum effect"
For this particular scene sol was inside, over cushions (as opposed to outside, tied between a couple of trees) so the amount of room I had to swing was a bit limited. After 50 strokes I stopped and ran my fingers over sol's nicely warmed cheeks:
Touching that deep warmth that comes off well spanked or caned buttocks ... it truly is one of the most erotic things I know:
And my finger less leather gloves allow me to touch my target as much as I like :) Back to caning, then...
What actually happens when the cane and one's flesh connect? Here's a quote from Philip Miller & Molly Devon's "
Screw the Roses, Send Me the Thorns":
"Cane strokes compress the skin leaving two welts with a U-shaped trough between them. There are two sensations to the cane, as well. When you strike there is an initial sting, then, a few seconds later, the nerves that were compressed with the skin begin to return to their original size and a new, searing pain fires up radiating outwardly from the twin welts."
You can see sol's left ass cheek is more marked than the right:
There are two reasons for that. Firstly, I had limited swing room indoors and was working closer than usual,
thus:
"if you stand to far forward or to far back from the target area the strike will be uneven, meaning one cheek is going to get more impact than the other"
Secondly, I was primarily using a forehand stroke from my left hand. I need to practice my backhand cane strokes. Apart from looking more aesthetically pleasing - and the fact that
backhanded strokes often land harder - a more evenly balanced system of strokes
means your sub will last longer. Every caning
technique can be done both ways:
"The forehand and backhand action in tennis is very close to the method you use without the arm extension involved in tennis. The cane is driven by the forearm and wrist, though the shoulder muscles also come into play. It is a nice clean action where the upper arm doesn’t in fact move any distance from the body. The hip and waist stays in position and the upper body twists as the strike is delivered...
"There a definite rhythm for each type of cane and with that comes the rhythm between strokes because each has a totally different effect. With a short cane, it is almost totally wrist only driven and because it doesn’t have to travel a great distance accuracy can be easily achieved with practice. This is a rapid delivery implement...
"Formal caning with a larger cane ... you could if you wish simply have a strike rate without pattern, single blows. There are heaps of variations you can let the cane bounce up instead of digging in – where you purposely hold the cane to the skin after striking and delay the second stage of pain – and then follow through with another quick stroke. Then settle back to a slower rhythm..."
At 100 strokes I changed my target for a moment. I lightly tapped the tip of my cane against his cock and balls. Then tapped it a little harder against his balls. He groaned.
I inserted the tip of the cane into sol's PA ring, jiggling his freshly caned genitals a little. I then put down the cane and spat on my finger tips, then ran my wet fingers over sol's cock head. My fingers caressed his cock and balls until he murmured with pleasure...
After about a minute of this I spat again on my fingertips ... but this time I wiped my saliva over sol's ass cheeks, knowing it increases the sensation when I cane him:
Back to caning, then... some strokes too fast for sol to count, some planned to be nice, others (before he'd regained his breath) planned to be nasty. Katherine Hawks
writes:
"There are a series of sensations that happen when a rattan cane hits. A white-hot line. A sinking of searing sensation into the body. Vibrations throughout the anus or cunt. A radiating warmth. A feeling of surrender traveling up the spine"
At 150 strokes, although you couldn't see much, sol's cheeks were marvelously hot to touch, the skin ridged and taut and swollen. I dragged my finger nails through the welts:
Back to the caning.... I'm always on the lookout for good descriptions of what being caned is like.
Like this one:
"The cane is so ... I'm searching for the right word, here, and can't find one. It's just ... so ... so ... Not like a belt or strap. "Focused," perhaps..."
And
this one:
"the sensations of the cane became a biting, stinging, warm and pleasurable feeling. I don’t know when enough is enough with the cane. The more aroused i become… the more i want. The fact that it may be causing damage is totally irrelevant to me at that point… i have no judgment. It’s a feeling of wanting to feel it harder and harder… to the point where i feel like i’d just burst forth in orgasmic ecstacy.”
And
this (from
princess72 on Fet):
"each stroke of the cane is like an explosion on your backside ... but it is definitely worth it for all the other sensations that occur and the feeling that comes after a good session"
By 200 strokes sol's feet had crossed ... always a good sign I had his attention:
At 250 strokes he looked like this:
In between some strokes I oh so lightly dragged the rattan cane over sol's hot skin, over each bump and welt ... it was absolutely delicious.
I had to leave sol for a moment to attend to the Xmas Present (she really hates the swish of canes but was quite happy sleeping in the car) so wrapped sol in our aftercare blanket (thank you again
LadyMiamia and
slave_to_Lady_M :) ) to keep warm:
Sol then asked if we could place a towel between his body and the floor cushion as it was rough, so we placed a bright blue towel under him. I also positioned the aftercare rug on one side to avoid wrapping:
Then it was time to select another implement:
I picked up
S(A)X's black Delrin cane, and applied it for a while:
And then applied our white plastic wrapped wire cane for a few strokes. This has a sharp bite. I then moved to my red riding crop. The first few strokes, only the leather pad at the end of the riding crop touched sol:
But for the last cuts I struck sharply with the entire length of the crop against both cheeks. By now sol's cheeks were very swollen:
I inserted the riding crop under the suspender and lifted it:
Oh yes, his suspenders were now pressing into that sensitive flesh ... lovely. However I removed them, as it didn't want their sharp edges doing damage.
I worked for a while with the crop and then went back to Eric's canes. I like using a mix of strokes, including the "hit and lift" (where the impact of the cane allows the sensation to radiate from the impact) and the "hit and hold" (which MsGawjusRedhead taught me, where the sensation burns a bit longer, the cane vibrating against the skin).
By 320 strokes sol's feet were coming right up off the floor:
One submissive
wrote:
"It is the heavy cane that takes me very deep. Master has to be careful because my response to the heavy cane can give the impression that it is hardly touching me, when in fact it is hitting me very hard. That is where Masters skill and knowledge of me is vital. During this play rhythmic caning may include slow, definite strokes, the type that is so often attached to this type of play. This is also the time when i may lose myself completely. The sensation is not that of pain. If Master was hitting me at this strength and in the way that He is now without the build up, i would definitely say something. i want and need pleasure via pain but not to be beaten. Thankfully Master comes from the same direction. This long, deep heavy play can last for an hour or more"
Exactly one hour from when we started we reached 350 strokes. Heavens. Must have done LOTS of fast ones. Time to stop....
When sol stood up his backside felt more heavy and bruised than it looked:
John Bomberger writes:
"After a period of time and depending upon the force used, the welts will deepen in color and become bruises. These bruises will normally go away in a week or so. If markings are a problem, use of lighter force will still be painful, but not bruise. A well caned bottom will show a series of parallel lines from the buttocks to the upper thighs. If you strike a previous welt, a diamond shaped bruise will form at the point where the lines intersect. Care should be exercised as striking a previous welt may cause blood blisters and breaking of the skin. If you should break the skin, the cane should never be used on anyone other than the person whose skin was broken."
That last point is very important.
We retired to bed, sol completely floating on endorphins. I sat on sol's face and masturbated him while using my other hand to scratch the ridged and taut skin of his ass cheeks. No photos, sorry, I would have needed another hand!
For some reason he came quite quickly .... and then it was my turn for some attention :) . I said to sol later that it felt like I'd already come, the turn on from caning is so intense...
Later, when I snuggled up behind him to sleep, his ass cheeks were still radiating heat against my bare thighs. Well, that's this winter's heating bill solved ... I'll just cane sol whenever we need some extra heat in the house!
REFERENCES AND ONLINE
RESOURCES ON CANINGI've been asked by regular readers to write a BDSM for Beginners post on caning. But this really is one of those techniques were you need to learn from someone who knows what they are doing. Check out workshops in your area and if none are scheduled - ask! Meanwhile here's some reading to whet your interest :)
A Caning session described by submissive
BDSM Digest
John Bomberger - The Cane
Caged Heart Publishing Canes & Caning: Introducing Edgeplay Into Your BDSM Relationship
Eric Carwardine
Corporal Punishment site
(absolutely everything you might need in terms of interesting info and research)
Laura Goodwin Please stop breaking the canes
Katharine Hawks - The Joy of Caning
Conrad Hodson - Sensuous Caning
Old Tom
Lady Hugs
Notes on caning
Mark Synthetic canes
Michele -Bookbabe and the Cane
Mistress Ariachne Making Canes
Mistress Steel Bastinado
Sartan's Making canes
S(A)X - You Tube How we make our rattan cane
SirAdam Six of the Best: Canes and caning
(SandMUtopian Guardian Issue 19)Terry - The Cane - a VERY advanced tool
Nadia West With the stroke of a cane - enjoying caning
Wiki - Caning
Forums:
British Caning Society
Fetlife groups
Book:
Janet Hardy Canes and Caning (Toybag Guides: Workshops in a Book)
(a really useful little book well worth acquiring)
Where to buy?
Eric Carwardine, Perth
S(A)X
Canes 4 Pain
Cane - IAC
Stockroom
K J Canes
Photos:
Ms160
