Handcuffs are great and they’re useful for everything – or almost. In any case, they’re an essential accessory for sex games, perhaps even THE first accessory to get for fun as a couple (it’s either that or Scrabble, your choice). But how do you (properly) choose your handcuffs?
I’m offering you a rundown of the various types of handcuffs you can find in sex shops, to help you make your choice from:
- “Love Cuffs”,
- Plain metal handcuffs,
- Elastic handcuffs,
- Vinyl ones,
- …And leather ones!
♥ Choosing your handcuffs: “Love Cuffs”
Made of rather thin metal, with synthetic fur around them and an optional pair of keys, since the cuffs can be unlocked with the little safety latch on the side.
You can find them in sex shops (online or not), girly gadget shops, as a free gift with a magazine purchase, at the local bakery between two ham quiches – they’re everywhere.
Pros
- They’re not very expensive
- You can find them outside of sex shops, often in stores that sell various Hello Kitty accessories and the like (I’ll let you figure out the connection, I haven’t found it yet myself)
Cons
- They’re incredibly ugly, with a special mention for the leopard print version being extra-hideous.
- And they’re really kitsch, a bit tacky, with a bit of a “Wayne and Mandy at the seaside” vibe to them.
- They break easily, and once broken, the little safety latch easily gets stuck.
- Once you’ve lost the “fur,” they hurt your wrists.
- The keys are useless since there’s no reason to use them (that little latch…), and what’s more, you lose them pretty quickly.
My opinion
Meh… Only buy them if you plan on using them just once or twice to try them out.
♥ Choosing your handcuffs: Metal
Pretty much the same as “Love Cuffs,” but without the synthetic fur.
My opinion
Generally a bit less ugly and cheaper than the previous ones, but they still look decidedly cheap (a bit like a toy sheriff’s kit, which isn’t very glamorous), and above all… seriously, ouch, your wrists!
♥ ♥ Choosing your handcuffs: Elastic fabric
Made of more or less elastic fabric, they usually fasten with Velcro or a strap.
You find them in sex shops, whether classic or fetish-oriented.
Pros
- They are comfortable.
Cons
- They don’t look very “real”.
My opinion
Opt for models that fasten with a strap, as Velcro tends to give out fairly quickly.
♥ ♥ Choosing your handcuffs: Vinyl
Made of vinyl (a thick, shiny PVC-based fabric), they close around each wrist with a clasp (similar to a watch clasp) and are linked together with a carabiner clip.
You usually find them in more fetish-oriented shops, in various colours.
Pros
- Vinyl handcuffs are pretty and stylish.
- Their fetish look adds an original touch, which can be perfectly matched if you get the right outfit.
Cons
- Their durability isn’t foolproof (basically, it’s best to avoid being too rough with them if you want to keep them intact).
♥ ♥ ♥ Choosing your handcuffs: Leather
Depending on the model, leather handcuffs close around each wrist with a watch-like clasp or a padlock clasp. They can be linked by a carabiner clip or be sealed together.
You’re spoiled for choice in fetish shops, but you can also find them in more traditional sex shops.
Pros
- Sturdy, they can handle anything.
- Most models are equipped with padding that’s perfectly comfortable for our delicate wrists.
- They are pretty.
- They have a rather luxurious look.
Cons
- Leather is dead animal, that’s bad!
- It’s extremely difficult to find them in colours other than black.
My opinion
Leather is bad, but, well, uh… they’re still my favourites.
There are also ankle cuffs, which you can choose to match your wrist cuffs.
There you have it! Well, I might have missed some… Feel free to share your opinions and experiences.
