Things
That Pinch: clips, clamps and other
pinchers
A
reference resource for the presentation by
Officer Wes
Table of contents
More about clothespins, zippers and nets Safety & comfort considerations Increase trust in your partner Previous pinch presentations and related |
Other resources
Shit: Exploring An Ancient Taboo Things That Pinch (this presentation) |
Welcome
Things That Pinch: clips, clamps, and other pinchers is a welcoming workshop for all to discuss ways to play with some common household items for a great time of sensual torment with your loved ones. We'll touch on the how’s, where’s, and with-what’s you need to know to enjoy a good pinchy time by yourself or with a friend.
Why
Simple erotic pleasure for
yourself and/or others. Curious about
additional potential reasons? Read The Good of BDSM.
What
Things that clamp
Fingers
Clothespins
Teeth
Clamps / presses
Clips
Made of
Metal
Binder clips
Electrical clips
Wood
Plastic
Clothespins
Hair clips
Leather
A little noose-like cord that clamps around things like nipples
More about clothespins, zippers & nets
Clothespins
Easily obtained
Inexpensive
Portable
Scalable
Zippers
A “zipper” is a string of clothespins joined by running a cord -- often
of leather -- through the springs’ holes, and tying knots on each side, spaced
6” or so apart. Here’s a picture. By stringing clothespins together into a
zipper, this enables removing multiple clothespins suddenly. This can create a wave of pain, followed by a
euphoric rush. (See also the endorphins and aftercare section.)
Nets
Similar to zippers, but done with netting to cover more area
Pictures
Wooden clothespin
Versatile,
inexpensive, easily available, and travel well
Clothespin zippers
Wooden
clothespins joined by running a leather cord through the
spring’s hole, tying a knot on each side, spaced 6” or so apart
Japanese cloverleaf clamps
Hemostat clamps
These are great: Their rubber tips really hold on,
and
their handles clip at various tightnesses
Fisher-Castalloy clamps
I love these -- their spring-loaded clamps
have just the right pressure
Rubber-tipped barrel-tightening/loosening clamps
For when you want to pinch harder
Pincher clamps, with tension adjusted by “O” rings
Delicious
Rubber-tipped clamps, with tension adjustable by a screw
These grab more meat than the smaller ones
below
Rubber-tipped alligator-like clamps (these don’t have the sharp teeth that others do), with tension adjustable by a screw
These are a bit small for my tastes: Their
smaller pinching area makes for a less pleasant hold
Plastic clamp
The larger surface (you can’t really see the
depth in
this photo) and looser spring distributes the hold well
Press clamps
A bit slippery for my taste
Weights
Just fun to add to a clips and clamps scene…
Elastrator™
A castrator re-purposed to put tight rings on
nipples temporarily
Head’s up: The green bands can be challenging to get off
–
pulling causes additional pain and
they’re so tight it’s nearly impossible to cut them off
Magnetic tit clamps
Where
Nearly everywhere, but especially where you can grab a fold of skin
Webbing between fingers
Arms / forearms
Chest
Nipples
Stomach
Belly button ring
Scrotum or pussy
Legs, especially inner and outer thighs
Tongue
Ears / ear lobes
Buttocks
Perhaps tie two or more areas together, such as both nipples clamped and joined by a chain
Safety & comfort considerations
How tight is this clamp? (Thanks to FetLife’s Multics)
The webbing between the thumb and forefinger is a handy area to test out a clamp’s intensity
Even in the same bag, the amount of pinch can vary a lot with clothespins
The small, about 1 to 1.5 inch long mini clothespins can be very strong
Hematomas (bruising)
Clamps can cause bruising
Erotic style can influence bruising
Twisting can lead to bruising
Pulling can lead to bruising
Duration can influence bruising
Longer duration is more likely to bruise
Removal style can impact bruising
Opening a clamp will result in less bruising than pulling it off
Removal via a zipper or net may result in notable bruises
Medications can impact bruising
Aspirin beforehand can lead to easier bruising
Oral prednisone can lead to easier bruising
Other medications which thin the blood or skin can also lead to easier bruising
Circulation
Clamps restrict blood circulation
Skin crushing
Clamps can crush skin. My experience is generally they do not – skin is pretty resilient. But on nipples in particular, where perhaps play is focused a bit more, the skin can get squished. It’s a normal consequence -- and heals on me. But know that it’s a possibility. And the healing takes time. In the meantime, my nips are a bit less available for use.
Piercing jewelry
Sometimes the skin-stretch of semi-permanent jewelry might make a spot impractical for the moment (think nips) – but even that can be overcome: Some clamps can grab behind the jewelry. Sometimes there’s also the possibility of taking jewelry out temporarily to get it out of the way.
Heart safety
Don’t use electrified nipple clamps across the heart – that can stop it. More info at my erotic electrical resource
For magnetic balls: Keep away from medical devices, credit cards or other items impacted by magnetic fields
Endorphins and aftercare
Intense physical play of many sorts can create endorphins. These are naturally occurring pain-suppressing chemicals in the body. They can also lead to feelings of peacefulness, euphoria. (Runners have called it “Runners’ high” for many years.) When many endorphins are released at once, this is often referred to as an “endorphin rush.” The removal of a single clip or clamp will result in a resurgence of blood to the area and this can feel rather intense. Multiply that by removing a series of clothespins in a zipper by yanking – and that can cause a release of many endorphins at once.
There is a duty for the Top in a scene to prepare for and look after the person it is working with: People can faint. Bondage can secure a person. Quick-release clamps, if the person is in standing bondage (think tied to a cross), can help release the person for lowering. Another approach is to do zipper removal when the bottom is laying down, as then the bottom is already safely on the ground.
The duty to look after the bottom extends to after the scene, commonly called aftercare. With a clothespin zipper scene and possible endorphin rush, there are some things to consider: Thinking may be fuzzy for a while. Depth perception (think driving; even parking) may be off for a while. One way to help address these considerations is to include wind-down time in a scene. A favorite? Holding. It’s a very bonding time.
When
When a clamp is on for a while, its related nerve seems to stop signaling pain
When that clamp is removed, blood returns and the nerve signals pain again; sometimes intensely
Ways to vary a theme
Placement
I particularly love erogenous zones such as the nips and groin. However, skin under the arms and inner thighs is also often a little easier to pull/pinch than elsewhere, making it inviting for clips and clamps, even zippers and nets
Duration
The longer a clip or clamp is on, the more intense it is when it comes off
Adjustable / not
Tension adjusters (screws that lessen a spring-loaded pincher; “O” rings and screws to tighten or loosen a clamp) can help mix things up
Pressure
Note: If desired, at another time, one can loosen the bite a clothespin will deliver by clamping it over something that keeps its mouth wide for an extended period
Chains and other joiners
Especially between nipple clamps. This is particularly handy for adding weights
Weights
Just when you or your partner thought things were all figured out, add some weight to stir things up
Patterns
Think symmetry
Colors
Red and black are some personal favorites for BDSM art
Number
Slowly but surely increasing the number of clips and/or clamps, which will help endorphins build, can shift things to a longer, particularly satisfying scene
Biting / not
Rubber tips (these can also help with grip)
Teeth
Movement
Predicament bondage (particularly where
something is secured to something else)
Touch
Tickling
Walking / crawling
Mystery
The five senses
Touch
Sight
Hearing
Smell
Taste
Removal styles
Nets
Moving clamp(s) from one place to another, and sometimes back
Whipping or flogging off
Processing pain
Breathing – long-deep breathing can help, though sometimes it will also trigger the clamps
Relaxing
Focusing
Visualizing
The Top can influence things
1. Applying
a. How clamps are applied (by example, Jack Rinella relays that in applying clothespins that “…if you start in less sensitive areas, such as the chest, your bottom will last longer.” Clips & Clamps, p.53)
b. Pauses
c. Quiet
d. Predicament bondage (by example, movement in one area creates a challenge in another area, sometimes done by tying two or more things together)
2. During
a. Touching
b. Twisting
c. Removing one or more
d. Replacing one or more
e. Time to adjust, including pauses and breaks
f. Feedback, such as “Three more”
3. Removing
a. Opening vs. pulling
b. Tempo of removal
c. Distraction
d. Simultaneous removal from different areas such as via zippers and nets
e. Giving a head’s up that one or more are about to be removed
Ways to nurture surrender
Intention
Increase trust in your partner
Time
Experiences
Reputation
Bondage
Blindfolds can reduce distractions
Ambience
Dungeon
Music
Privacy
Temperature
Lighting
Fun
Exploring
Laughter
Sustenance
Water
Snack(s) / food
There is little more distracting than being hungry. I try to keep an easy snack on hand for if the scene goes on for a while. There are 110-calorie “Carb Boom!” packs that I find a great source of fast, easy energy
Getting more informed
Reading
Clips and Clamps [the toybag guide to] Rinella (Greenery Press, Oakland, 2004)
Web sites
Groups / fetishes
· Clamps, Pegs, Clothespins & Weights from Around the World www.fetlife.com/groups/27351
· Clamps and Clips www.fetlife.com/fetishes/613 “60,586 People getting their kink on”
· caryl's BDSM Page at www.drkdesyre.com is a vast trove of information, particularly about dating
· Jack Rinella's www.LeatherViews.com has extensive writings on a broad variety of topics under the Kinky Info tab
· OfficerWes.com will get you to the information I've compiled about leather and spirituality, cathartic flogging, the good of BDSM, Dominance and submission, Mastery and slavery, uniforms, erotic electricity, making a rope harness, dungeon parties, our leather family, and more -- but be sure to check out the concise, external Leather/SM Resources
Getting gear
Kink stores
Locally (San Diego, California area)
· Pleasures & Treasures, 2525 University Ave., 619-822-4280 www.pandtstore.com
· Barnett Avenue Adult Superstore, 3610 Barnett Ave., 619-224-0187
Online
· Extreme Restraints www.extremerestraints.com
· Mr. S Leather www.mr-s-leather.com
Electro Gator Clips
Nasty Red & Black
Clamps
Hardware stores
Clothespins (Target and 99 Only
store. Daiso has plastic figure
clothesclamps like kitties.). (Home
Depot had them, but with a too-small center hole in their springs for lacing to
go through. Walmart, Big Lots did not
have clothespins when we checked.)
Craft stores / sewing centers
Cloverleaf clamps
š Leather cording to make clothespin zippers is available at Michaels
Kitchen supply stores
Tongs, sometimes with rubber or silicone ends and sometimes with a locking mechanism
Office supply stores
Binders
Medical supply stores
Bait and tackle / sporting goods stores
Weights, such as those found at Bass Pro Shops
Communicating and negotiating
Clear, respectful communication, part I
Here's an example:
Sir/ma’am: You having a fun, hot
experience is very important. There is
one issue I need to communicate so that you can make informed decisions. I take aspirin for my heart health and as a
result I tend to bruise easily. If you
could work in a way that might minimize bruising I’d really appreciate it. Thank you, Sir/ma’am!
Clear, respectful communication, part II
The leather tribe works with
power.
Many folks do it well and with style.
The tribe does have a history, however, of friendly fire -- eating our own.
My observation is that we can each help contain these fires with these actions:
· When disagreements happen, and they will, be respectful
· Discreet, constructive input is helpful
· Avoid gossip
Negotiating
Dan Kalin was my leather mentor. He was the first person who came up to me at a leather bar, circa 1988, and said "I want to tie you up." My response was along the lines of "That's nice. Perhaps some other time." Dan seemed to intuitively know that I was afraid. He stayed and we talked. I started asking questions such as "Would you stop if I asked?" (His answer was the intriguing: "Yes, but I won't start again.") "Could there be a time limit?" (He said it depended. I inquired why. He explained that it took a while to tie someone up, and if the time were too short that would mean that untying would come shortly after, and that wouldn’t be worth his time.) When I became better versed in the leather community I realized that what we had done was negotiate a scene. I made the leap of faith and went with him to the Brotherhood of Pain dungeon. It was deliciously sinister. Ah, the first time at anything: Those were some of the hottest four hours of my life.
Previous
pinch presentations and related
·
Things That Pinch
“Learn It, Do It” workshop, served by slave frank, for FetishMen SanDiego, February 22,
2020
· Clips, Clamps, and Other Pinchers in the San Diego Leather Realm at San Diego Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Pride, July 15, 2017
· Officer Wes and slave jay receive an excellence in presentation award May 6, 2006, from the Pain Guild for the Things That Pinch presentation the previous summer
· Things That Pinch presentation for the Pain Guild, served by slave jay, July 6, 2005
· Mentor in SAADE (School for Advanced American Dominant Education)'s Austin Mentors' second group October - December 2002. (The group continued into 2003. I asked to be rolled out of the rotation after December because Tom and I were moving to San Diego in January.) For this second group my mental topic was BDSM & spirituality and the physical skill was "Clamps, Clips & Things that Pinch in the Night / Processing Pain." For more information see the writeup of the inaugural group, below
· Mentor in SAADE (School for Advanced American Dominant Education)'s Mentors’ program. This is a very cool communal program to give a new generation of Dominants a broad-based Mentor/apprentice experience. Each of the apprentices gets matched with each of the mentors for one month -- and each of the mentors has something unique s/he brings to the program. The mentors work to convey one mental and one physical skill each month. For the inaugural November 2001- July 2002 group my mental topic was leather relationships and the physical skill was electrical play
· Presented on clothespin zippers for The Austin Gay Leather Social July 10, 2002. Here I am with the very brave and sexy Kevin the Manpup just as the zippers are about to be removed in one fell swoop. We had a great time!
About
Officer Wes has been presenting on a variety of fun kink topics for over twenty years. Officer Wes has an open leather family built around shared values of respect, honor, trust, and love. He has a slave and dogslave and is himself in service to a Daddy. Resources and information at www.officerwes.com
The long version…
Officer Wes entered his first leather bar in 1980. He has examined and shared on issues of sexual expression and other areas of the human experience for much of his life. His experiences and viewpoints have appeared in many publications including USA Today and The Advocate. He judges regional and international contests and presents programs and workshops on Master/slave and Daddy/boy relationships, spirituality and leather, great sex, pain and pleasure, uniforms, fetish, shit, interrogation, electricity, things that pinch, and other aspects of the BDSM arts at clubs and events across the country. He is credited as an influence in the books Protocol Handbook for the Leather Slave and Master/slave Relations. His Web sites on sexuality, health and kink stand as a resource for others seeking to live in integrity with their authentic selves and have been visited by over a quarter of a million people.
Officer Wes was an inaugural mentor for SAADE, the School for Advanced American Dominant Education, a formal mentoring program for new dominants that instructs its apprentices not only in physical SM practices but on the mental, emotional and spiritual dynamics of BDSM as well. He served on the host committee for Living in Leather VIII, was an inaugural core member of San Diego's private men's BDSM group SuperPigs, and is an Associate Member of the Chicago Hellfire Club.
Officer Wes has an open leather family built around shared values of respect, honor, trust, and love. He has a slave, a dogslave and is himself in service to a Daddy. More information about Officer Wes and family can be found at www.officerwes.com.
© 2003-2020 by Officer Wes