Okay, so this toy is called a "spreader". For that use I'd probably give it a 3 or 4 star rating as it just isn't nearly long enough, BUT, and that is a huge "but", it is an amazing bondage tool if you think and look beyond a "spreader bar" and think "contorting your slave and binding all of their limbs to it and then binding them some more on top of that just in case."

For instance:

-Use laying along the spine and attach collar at top, cuffs at the bottom, and chain slave to wall with remaining hooks.
-Cuff ankles to the outside hooks, hands to center hooks in back, and roll slave to desired position.
-Use the flat side to spank
-Connect 2 slaves back to back by this thing

Your only limit with this toy is your imagination, and somehow, no matter what configuration is used, there is always at least one hook to spare for another purpose.

This is a 24 inch by 2.5 inch metal bar with leather encasing it that is sewn at the edges. One side is flat and the other side has stainless steel clips at each end and 5 clips down the front. This gives you 7 points of connection.

That's all that it is. It is a metal bar encased in 2 pieces of leather and 7 hooks. It's very WYSIWYG. The simplicity is what makes it brilliant.

The leather is sturdy, and smells lovely like all leather should.

If you have a 'Brat' they could perhaps pull the clips out or bend the clips. I mummify my slaves in rope and chains so that getting enough leverage to tear out the clips is not an option.

As a paddle I would only use the flat side, as this is very thunky and formidable for beatings.

For my uses this is a 5 star addition to my tool box.

I have been on both ends of this toy as a Dom and a sub. For my uses it performed astoundingly. I have spanked with it and used it more than once to bind very strong males. I have been bound in it (sadly, the person doing the binding was not at all creative). I am not a "brat" in the BDSM term, nor do I suffer brats as subs, so this was not required to stand up the the Incredible Hulk. For my uses, including very strong pounding as a paddle on someones ass, it stood up with no damage what-so-ever. It suffered no breakage, no bending, and no marring of the surface.

If you're looking for a "spreader bar", you will want something else, as this is just too short and a bit bulky.

For an addition to your general bondage equipment, it performs like a Swiss Army knife and you really are limited only by your imagination.

It was wrapped in paper from shipping, but came as is.

The only folks who would have an inkling what this is for are folks who are in the scene. I have packed this in suitcases, tossed it in a back pack, and taken it on the bus. It travels like a dream and no one said anything about it. Then again I am 6' tall, and a curmudgeon carrying around bondage equipment.

Mine is a few years old. I do very rarely use black shoe polish on it to keep the leather from drying out and to keep it nice and "sharp" looking. You're only as good as your gear.

Being a thick quality leather, it wipes down if you need to clean it.

I hang this from a hook in my closet with my floggers and I've also propped it in a corner. I've even stored it in an umbrella stand.

This is the best BDSM investment in gear that I've made to date. I use it in almost every scene. It's just so handy with those 7 waiting and eager hooks and ass-reddening spankatude.

If you can think beyond this as a spreader bar, then you won't regret adding this to your tool box.

If you just want a spreader bar, then you won't want this and it will be a grave disappointment.

Some comments from slaves I've used this on:

"What did you just do?"
"How did you think of THAT!"
"Oh no, that isn't a paddle... O... Ow... I'm so sorry... Ow Ma'am... Ow, I'll be good"
"SAFEWORD!"
"You're tying me up to WHAT?!"