The quintessential icon of kink is almost certainly the whip. When one wants to delve into the darker corners of BDSM, one of the first tools they reach for is almost certainly a whip or flogging device of some kind. It's easy to fall into the allure of a cheaper toy and wind up disappointed. Quality kink accessories can cost a pretty penny, but that doesn't mean there aren't a few gems to be found in the lower tiers, including this whip.

It is a solid choice for the price-conscious kinkster, as well as being accessible to those getting into the scene. For your money, you get a sharp, lightweight whip that would be great for warming up. It is small in size, and the falls do not easily tangle in a way that can't be fixed with a quick shake or two, which makes it ideal for those with limited living space or travel plans.

The design undoubtedly leaves a little to be desired. For starters, the handle is a bit...shall we say, flaccid. It's not the worst thing ever, but it does have extra flex where you might expect more rigidity. I didn't find that it affected the performance particularly, but it would be nice to have something more solid to grip. One point in its favor is the metal D-ring on the end, which makes it perfect for hanging on a hook, if need be.

The color itself is not well represented in the picture, where the blacks are deep and the purple is bright. The black is a little faded and the purple not as saturated in real life; I find myself wishing they offered this in a solid black, as the combination just doesn't strike me as particularly sexy. You can see the lighter/white insides of the leather in the falls, which gives this a cheap look. Unfortunately, the color on the purple falls lasted less than a Lindsay Lohan jail sentence; it is already starting to rub off and fade on one side, which contributes to the somewhat shabby look.

I don't think this whip was poorly made, per se, but the fuzzing coming off of the leather also tells me that it's not exactly premium quality, either. I'd say it's on the medium-lower end of things - about what you'd expect for this price.

This is basically the Little Whip That Could. It doesn't look like much on the surface, but it has quite a wallop when you put some muscle behind it. Make no mistake, this is not a whip that will produce a 'thud' - it will sting when you use it, and though it probably won't leave long-lasting lashes, you will get some redness and heat at the site of the strike.

One note is that you should practice your hits well before using it. Not hitting the skin correctly produces a rather boring, lifeless sensation that the whip-ee is sure to notice. This leaves less room for error on behalf of the person wielding it.

Because the toy is leather, take caution in exposing it to moisture of any kind. Should it get dirty for whatever reason, a damp washcloth should be sufficient to gently blot out any fluids.

Storage is quite easy in comparison to rubber whips; the falls are not easily tangled, meaning you can always throw this in a drawer for storage if hanging is not an option. Just take caution not to store the whip with the falls crimped or crushed at an angle to ensure they remain straight and functional.