Though still a novice, I have learned one thing about bondage. It is all about symbolism. Of course, there is a power exchange that takes place during bondage. One person puts a great deal of trust in the hands of another, and there are varying degrees of surrender or submission. But, the tools used to bind a person are really just symbols to aid in that power exchange. The act of binding a person allows for the surrender to take place. The feel of the object binding you and the positions you are put into allow the individual to give up control, putting their pleasure in the hands of a lover. However, the thought of buying "bondage gear" or learning all those shibari-style knots might be intimidating. Not to mention the fact that tying all those knots takes time and patience. Unfortunately, time is not always a luxury.

The Pretty in Pink wrist cuffs take away the intimidation factor. There are no complicated knots to learn, and the feminine pink takes away the harsh intimidating aspect. But, make no mistake, these cuffs are meant for novices and experts alike. The cuffs are wide and have a substantial weight to them. Once on, there is no denying you are truly bound. They serve as both a visual reminder of that fact, and when you are blindfolded, you can still feel the weight of the cuffs. My submission began the first second my love began to work the buckles. The feel of his fingers grazing my skin, the weight of the cuffs, and the smell of the leather, all signaled to my brain to just let go.

The leather itself was a bit stiff the first time he put them on me, and there was a slight pinching of my skin; my wrists are so small the material doubles up on itself a bit. After "working" the leather and a few more uses, the leather has softened, and this is no longer an issue. However, the padding inside the cuffs is quite soft. There is no fear of marks (or accidental bruising) left by ropes when using the cuffs.

While wearing the cuffs alone has the effect of being a visual reminder of my surrender. The d-ring in the center of the cuffs proved quite useful. It allows the wrists to be secured with rope, a scarf, or a spreader bar in any position (above the head, behind the back, at the side, attached to a static object like furniture, etc.). In addition, my ankles are small enough to accommodate the cuffs; so with an extra pair, my wrists can be attached to my ankles quickly allowing for more extreme forms of submission.

On another note, although this has not happened to me yet; there might be times when the bondage play needs to be ended quickly. Perhaps the bound individual is uncomfortable with the scenario or something along those lines. By using the cuffs, the individual can be set free quickly without having to untie knots or to cut rope (that can get quite pricey). So, from a safety perspective cuffs like these are certainly a way to begin.

Only one thing will make these cuffs better for bondage play... and that is the matching collar. I am sure he will be getting me one soon.

Since posting this review nearly a year ago, these cuffs have gotten much softer and more comfortable. They have continued to be a part of our bondage play|BDSM and Fetish Fantasies.

I have also gotten the matching collar, and it is divine to wear.