Rope vs. straps and cuffs etc...Both are great but which do you prefer?

Contributor: coupling couple coupling couple
We have recently discovered the joys of Japanese rope binding. While we are still getting good at it we both find it very hot! It does take some study and practice but there are some very simple yet sexy harnesses! So after scanning the other posts and reviews I thought I would see if there was a tendency either way. So let us know how you roll!
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Total votes: 112 (88 voters)
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01/11/2010
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Contributor: GingerAnn GingerAnn
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01/11/2010
Contributor: Sammi Sammi
I would actually choose other. We use straps and cuffs, but I'd love to try the Japanese rope binding. I don't find it intimidating - we just haven't tried it yet
01/11/2010
Contributor: J's Alley J's Alley
I love metal and leather, but that's just me. J has a tendency to enjoy tying me up with my scrapbooking ribbon (I lose more ribbon that way). I don't mind rope play, but I have a tough time explaining marks, and I am so anemic that I bruise *very* easily, so my leather cuffs are a better choice for us.
01/11/2010
Contributor: Kayla Kayla
I prefer both, but if I had to choose, I like my rope more because I can learn pretty patterns with rope. However, I love to make him wear the cuffs then include rope through the D-rings in my designs. Random, but then he still gets to have the jingly cuffs (makes it harder to untie too since there's nothing in his reach to actually untie). He's one of those annoying subs that likes to untie every damn thing.
01/11/2010
Contributor: removedacnt removedacnt
Depending on my mood, I like it all.
01/12/2010
Contributor: Liz2 Liz2
I use leather though I love the rope look. My problem is that none of us are scouts and our knots are sloppy and almost impossible to open. We loose so much rope this way.
End result is leather with rope for the longer runs.
01/12/2010
Contributor: EffinSara EffinSara
I prefer cuffs whether they're made of leather or not. Sometimes someone just needs to be tied up RIGHT NOW, and that's easier to do *safely* with cuffs. The rest of the time I'm just lazy.
01/12/2010
Contributor: coupling couple coupling couple
Quote:
Originally posted by Sammi
I would actually choose other. We use straps and cuffs, but I'd love to try the Japanese rope binding. I don't find it intimidating - we just haven't tried it yet
There are some great instructional videos on the internet. We have just used a couple of them, like breast bonding and wrist/ankle binding but WOW!. She loves being bound tight and taken! And I put myself in a cock and ball rope harness and "the mistress" was there in 3 sec flat.
01/17/2010
Contributor: coupling couple coupling couple
Quote:
Originally posted by J's Alley
I love metal and leather, but that's just me. J has a tendency to enjoy tying me up with my scrapbooking ribbon (I lose more ribbon that way). I don't mind rope play, but I have a tough time explaining marks, and I am so anemic that I ... more
J's Alley...We use a soft 3/8" full braid nylon rope. It is soft and supple and do to the multiple wraps it should be good for you. She bruises easily...not very easily though. But a wider rope with multiple wraps might let you guys enjoy this without the awkward questions.
01/17/2010
Contributor: coupling couple coupling couple
Quote:
Originally posted by Kayla
I prefer both, but if I had to choose, I like my rope more because I can learn pretty patterns with rope. However, I love to make him wear the cuffs then include rope through the D-rings in my designs. Random, but then he still gets to have the ... more
yeah she has a hard time keeping her hands to herself while I'm securing her. So She ALWAYS ends up in wrist bindings. Then I bind her ankles and tie the two binds together. You can go in front or behind as you choose.

As the ropes are somewhat slick I also like to put some clamps on her nipples and drape a weighted chain over the bindings

This is the basic wrap i use for wrist and ankle bindings:
link

Very simple and very versatile.
01/17/2010
Contributor: coupling couple coupling couple
The video above is by the authors of this book listed on Eden. These guys really make it easy and accessible for us amateurs.

"Two Knotty Boys: Showing you the ropes"
link
01/17/2010
Contributor: Kayla Kayla
Quote:
Originally posted by J's Alley
I love metal and leather, but that's just me. J has a tendency to enjoy tying me up with my scrapbooking ribbon (I lose more ribbon that way). I don't mind rope play, but I have a tough time explaining marks, and I am so anemic that I ... more
Yeah. If you're looking for a rope that won't bruise, the "Japanese love rope" here on EF should be wide enough that it won't bruise.
01/17/2010
Contributor: Beneath The Bed Beneath The Bed
Call us lazy but we usually prefer wrist and ankle cuffs, like the ones made from Sportsheets. The latches on them allow us to do some cool kinky things.
02/02/2010
Contributor: Laccaria Laccaria
I love the look and feel of rope, and we own some really nice Twisted Monk hemp rope. But, even nice rope can chafe a bit and you really do need to know what you are doing technique-wise in order not to cut off circulation to various appendages. So, cuffs are still a great for us when we want something quick and comfortable, which is often.
02/02/2010
Contributor: Backseat Boohoo Backseat Boohoo
I chose the first option. Rope bondage is pretty, but cuffs are just easier and more multipurpose, in my opinion. Although, I prefer fabric cuffs to leather.
02/07/2010
Contributor: coupling couple coupling couple
Great comments everyone! Sometimes you get to hot and bothered to take he time for rope play. but the process of going from free to bound is, for us, very erotic! The person being bound has to submit to the process so this willing submission to the binding and events to come really take us to a new level.

If you've read any of other reviews you'll see we're pretty new to this role playing but are becoming ardent students. So any advice or suggestions would be welcome. Thanks for the input everyone!
02/08/2010
Contributor: sarahbear sarahbear
I'm enjoy leather cuffs and stuff sometimes and I'm interested in rope bondage. I'm just not sure how comfortable it would be for me considering the size of my body. I have trouble contorting into some yoga positions comfortably because of my boobs/tummy/thighs etc.
03/13/2010
Contributor: Rayne Millaray Rayne Millaray
I chose that we use everything in the house. And we do. But I kinda see rope bondage and straps/cuffs/chains as apples and oranges. They have different purposes. And I like both!
05/16/2010
Contributor: Lady Evyl Lady Evyl
I am a rope Shibari gal. LOVE love rope. I do like the look of cuffs now and then, but rope is my love. Let's me be an artist.
05/19/2010
Contributor: Yesenia Yesenia
I prefer the smell and feel of leather but I enjoy silk rope too
05/28/2010
Contributor: Shellz31 Shellz31
Always found cuffs sexy. Rope doesnt do much for me.
10/21/2010
Contributor: Sensual husband Sensual husband
We try to make the most of what we have around the house. We have some great leather straps that make it fun..
10/21/2010
Contributor: coupling couple coupling couple
Shellz: I completely understand. The harshness and absoluteness of the cuffs is a great turn-on . But the Japanese rope binding is one of our favorite. Restrictive and dead sexy!

Sensual Hubby: We use a variety of things as well. Actually my martial arts belts have made colorful and very secure bindings.
10/21/2010
Contributor: Tart Tart
I really love my rope. It's cheap poly-nylon but I love it. I like the sensual side of binding a partner, taking my time, and really enjoying how it feels in my hands. She really love it as well, and takes her to deeper depths of subspace. It's great all around.
10/21/2010
Contributor: coupling couple coupling couple
Quote:
Originally posted by Tart
I really love my rope. It's cheap poly-nylon but I love it. I like the sensual side of binding a partner, taking my time, and really enjoying how it feels in my hands. She really love it as well, and takes her to deeper depths of subspace. ... more
Absolutely Tart. We like the power play play as well. The partner being tied has to willingly submit to the rope. As the principle one doing the tieing there is a great feeling as she sits quietly and submits. Its like giving her permission to indulge herself. With movement restricted and, more or less, helpless she has no responsibilities except to lose herself in the moment.

And for my part to have someone totally submit to my will and be able to indulge all of my desires. ... ... ...

Ok back now. I hope she didn't have any plans this evening!
10/22/2010
Contributor: DustBunny DustBunny
So hard to pick. I love the light feeling of leather cuffs and the strength the have. But then there's that sweet feeling or rope digging into your skin and rubbing against you.
11/13/2010
Contributor: Danielle1220 Danielle1220
I'd like to try rope binding. I've done the whole cuff and straps thing, and I'm alwasy up for trying new things.
11/13/2010
Contributor: MeliPixie MeliPixie
I'm Japanese so I've grown up with origami, kirigami and of course, Japanese rope knots. I absolutely love the way skin looks with rope against it and can't wait till my boy and I can get to the store to get some and get going
11/20/2010
Contributor: leatherlover leatherlover
Haven't tried rope yet, but I am definitely willing to try. My wife and I love to use our cuffs.
11/20/2010