I admit to being completely new to actually owning BDSM gear. Generally my playmates and subs supply their own and for many years that has been fine. I find though that there are times I want something a little more formal than a wooden ruler and a hand. That and lately I have been exploring my own submissive side.

Enter the Diamond Whip from Cal Exotics. This sweet little baby is composed of PVC (80%), wood, PE tubing, Quartz Sands and some polyester to stabilize the falls. The handle is a wooden dowel covered with a PE tube approximately 5 inches long and 4 1/4 inches in circumference. Over the PE tube is a layer of PVC which extends down and becomes the falls. A double row of Quartz Sands encircles the top of the handle and extends down the face of the flogger where it encircles the bottom of the handle. Very bling bling!
The wrist strap is composed of PVC and is very firmly attached to the handle with another strip of PVC. The wrist strap is attached to the PVC strip with a D ring ensuring it won't be ripped apart. The stitching on the handle is firm and even and the edges are finished nicely. The wrist strap is quite large and fits even a man's larger wrist easily without stretching the PVC.

The falls are all cut from the same sheet of PVC that covers the wooden handle so there is no stitching to worry about on the falls themselves. They are backed with polyester to stabilize them and add years to the useful life of the toy. The falls can rip at the top but the second circle of quartz sands acts like a barrier to the handle cover being torn and ruining the flogger. The falls are a uniform 1/2 cm wide and there are a plentiful 17 of them. They are approximately 12 inches long which isn't too long for a beginner but is approaching it. The true beginner will want to experiment with strength and accuracy before using this toy on a partner or sub.

The Diamond Whip (clearly it is a flogger but we'll let that slide for now) can deliver a lovely tickling/brushing sensation as well as a great thudding blow, be aware that this flogger can also sting like hell and leave nice red stripes on fair skin. It all depends on the intensity of the swing. This handle of the flogger isn't really built to be inserted, which is a shame. It is also too short and round to be much use as a crop, also a shame.

The falls can be somewhat curled from shipping, it arrives in a simple plastic bag with the falls carefully curled to avoid creasing them. When I removed them from the bag they were a bit curled at the ends but a night spent hanging freely had them straight. If you find that your falls are curled but not creased you can lay them carefully on an ironing board, cover them with a soft cloth (I recommend a wash cloth or hand towel) and use the steam feature of your iron to gently uncurl them. If you store the flogger with the falls hanging straight then they should uncurl over time. Sadly nothing will really help if your falls become creased so care should be taken when storing the flogger to prevent creasing. Be sure to store your flogger in a clean, dry area away from direct sunlight.

Cleaning your Diamond Whip is fairly easy and straight forward. A damp cloth or a commercial toy cleaner cloth can be run down the falls. I wouldn't run water over the handle as the wooden dowel is exposed under the falls and it could soak up water and potentially turn punky.

I actually squealed when I opened the box and saw my flogger all curled up in the box like a tame snake. While this isn't the top of the line flogger it is really very pretty and it can deliver quite the stinging blow. We did find that it can also deliver a nice thudding blow when aimed right which is what I prefer when being flogged. It can leave some nice red lines on fair skin but it won't cut and scar, which is good for a beginner. This looks so unassuming and rather cheap but performs like a champ. This would be like the sort of unassuming workhorse vibe you have in your toybox for everyday use! It makes a wickedly cool swooshing noise when swung and if you want to increase anticipation it is very easy to swoosh and then stop for a gentle tickle. Don't you just love watching a 'prisoner' tense for the blow and then jump when it's just a brushing sensation? It's just as wicked for the 'prisoner' as well.

I knew when I ordered this flogger that it wasn't going to be the best quality but it's turned out to be one of the sturdiest that I own. The PVC is still supple and hasn't stretched and doesn't smell like a shower curtain!
There hasn't been any noticeable wear to the handle and none of the raveling I have seen on other PVC floggers belonging to friends.
It is so simple to keep clean and can deliver quite the welt in the right hand.
It has a bit of bling but isn't tacky looking.
The sound it makes while in use is intoxicating. This was a great introduction to floggers for my guys.