Having enjoyed many areas of light BDSM including spanking, anal play and bondage, I thought it was time to introduce myself to the world of nipple clamps. Despite having a wardrobe full of sex toys, nipple stimulation is an area which has been somewhat neglected until now.

To begin with, as snapped the batteries into my vibrating nipple clamps by Spartacus, I thought I was going to be too timid to even approach a nipple. However I soon found that the adjustable screws enabled me to sample something I like to call "Wuss Mode."

Nevertheless, even with the clamps adjusted for the timid user, I couldn't help being nervous. The clamps are similar to the crocodile clips you might find in electronics, in both their design and appearance. When considering the most sensitive areas of your body, a creature closely associated with teeth is the last thing you want on your mind! With a deep breath, I clipped one lightly to my least erect nipple. Thankfully, due to the rubbery pads, it wasn't painful at all and I felt nothing more than a light pinch. However, psychologically, I was far from comfortable with my nipple in a vice.

The clamps are attached to vibrating bullets which aren't particularly heavy, but are large enough to pull the clamps off if they're not attached particularly tightly. Finding a compromise between clamps that stayed on and clamps that hurt was difficult. Whilst there are some forms of pain that turn me on, nipple torture is not one of them.

The vibrations are quite light but certainly strong enough to be tantalizing. You do need to make sure that the bullets aren't against your body however, as that can detract from the vibrations which should be concentrated on the nipples themselves. Because the clamps are made of metal, the vibrations transfer well from bullet to tip.

Like the majority of sex toys, the clamps take two AA batteries which means that you probably won't have to go to any special effort to find something suitable power the toy. The long wires between clamps and controller allow flexibility for solo use and provide somebody else with the change to control the vibrations from somewhere other than right under your nose, for added surprise.

For me, the most scary part of the toy is the fact that the rubber covers on the metal clamps are not firmly attached. Granted, they do a very good job of preventing the metal teeth from digging into the flesh whilst attached to the clips, but on more than one occasion I've accidentally knocked one off, revealing sharp metal spikes - perhaps some people would enjoy the added nip - but not me!

There are some bedroom aids which are sexy to look at, (e.g. The Leo, The Doppeltest lottche and The Submissive Bondage Kit by Kinklab) and others that have the clinical feel of medical or scientific equipment (e.g. The Tantrabeam finger massager). Sadly this is one of the latter. Obviously wires, bullets and battery compartments are necessary in order to make the clamps vibrate, but I can't help thinking that a brushed black or silver would have been sexier than magnolia-coloured plastic.

However aside from its appearance, my disenchantment with the toy was based on a personal dislike of having my nipples clamped. The toy itself is very versatile and is extremely reasonably priced so if you're not sure whether nipple clamps are the thing for you, these clamps are a very worthy beginners toy and also, with the option to tighten the screws, they may also appeal to the more advanced / sadistic user.

I will certainly seek an opinion from my less squeamish partner when she returns from her travels, and persevere with these clamps as I have a suspicion that they might be an acquired taste. Watch this space for a follow up review.

A friend of mine was upset and she needed distracting while I cooked the dinner. "What can I do to make her laugh?" I thought. It was then that I spotted the package my postman had delivered that morning, unopened. I was pretty certain that vibrating nipple clamps would generate a giggle and so, fully aware of the box's contents I told my friend "I have no idea what Eden Fantasys have sent me this time, why don't you take a look?"
Sure enough, within moments she was chasing me around my apartment, gnashing the clips, screaming "Crocodile!"
Never underestimate a sex toy's potential for enjoyment.