Unlike a lot of cheap novelty cuffs (fuzzy cuffs, I'm looking at you), these handcuffs are the real deal. They're solidly constructed (also very, very heavy). If you're more used to the famous fuzzy cuffs I'll give you a word of warning; they will bite into your wrists. They are not comfortable. Depending on how rough you play you might end up with marks. If this is not something you're open to, these cuffs may not be for you.

There is also no quick release so be extremely careful with the keys. These do take a certain degree of responsibility to use. Cautionary tale: When I first got them I did have a situation where the keys got temporarily misplaced and I had to Houdini out of them. Definitely not fun. I suggest putting them on a chain and hanging them on a safe place. I make sure my partner keeps them around his neck now whenever we use them.

Because there is no quick release, they should not be used to lock both arms by yourself. You will not be able to get yourself back out. These are definitely intended for couple's play. We have used these to lock up my wrists, my ankles, and to lock me by my wrist to our bedposts. Used in conjunction with a blindfold, these cuffs guarantee an extra edge to any sensation play. They are highly versatile.

My only complaint about these cuffs is the black coating. Over time the black will fade away, leaving a silverish metal underneath. For me this isn't just an aesthetic problem, since I am incredibly sensitive to certain types of metals, and I wasn't aware that the black was just a coating. That being said, I haven't had a reaction with these cuffs yet, so maybe I'm just being paranoid, but this is definitely something to keep in mind. If you're particularly sensitive you might want to stick with the fuzzy cuffs.