Knife Play

by Jack McGeorge - founding member of Black Rose

Definition:

BDSM scene involving the use of a bladed tool. The top may or may not actually cut the bottom's skin.

Why play with knives?

1. Physical (sensory) effects
   • Touch: hard, metal, being cut
   • Sound: pulling from sheath, moving against skin
   • Sight: blood, deadly weapon
   • Smell: blood
2. Psychological (emotional) effects
   • Fear: weapon, being cut, life/death, pleasure/pain, survival
   • Eroticism: powerful, masculine symbol, phallic shape
   • Power: dominance, control, power of life and death
   • Spiritual connects physical with psychological

What Characterizes a knife for BDSM play?

1. Look:
   • appropriate to the scene
2. Blade:
   • 6-7 inches long- deeply textured if possible
   • fairly straight cutting edge - not too sharp
   • blunted tip to avoid digging in
   • avoid curved cutting edges and sharp points other than the tip
3. Handle:
   • big enough to fit your hand
   • non slip grip
4. Not Important:
   • hardness
   • type of steel
   • throwing balance

Knife substitutes

1. kitchen knives
2. plastic knives
3. Edge of credit cards, ruler, etc.

Caring for your knife

• Clean with soap and water or alcohol to remove dirt, blood, etc.
• disinfect with Betadine or bleach solution
• clean again after play
• sharpen as necessary - should not cut when pulled lightly across skin
• protect with food grade silicone spray.

Playing with Knives

1. Limit the bottoms movement
   • unanticipated movement may result in puncture
   • tell them to hold still
   • physically control the bottom
   • restraints - limited effectiveness, distraction
   • no simultaneous activities (other tops, other toys)
2. Pay attention
   • no distractions
   • keep bystanders at a distance
   • no alcohol or drugs
   • remain aware of where tip and blade are at all times
   • watch your bottoms reaction - feedback
3. Prepare your bottom
   • clothing - take it off or cut it off
   • position
     • standing - good access, potential for excess movement
     • sitting/ kneeling - more stable, limited access
     • lying - safest but limits access and personal control
4. Play with the whole Knife
   • tip: cutting, tickling, poking
   • cutting edge: cutting, scraping, sawing, pressing
   • back of blade (single edge knife): same as edge but safer
   • flat side of blade: touching, rubbing, spanking
   • handle/grip: inserting, rubbing
5. Explore your bottom's body
   • don't start with the erogenous areas - remember foreplay
   • avoid eyes

Mixing Knife play with other Scenes

1. Wax
   • great way to remove the wax
2. Electricity
   • with violet wands (magical fingers)
3. Fantasy Scenes
   • interrogations
   • rape
   • ritual sacrifice
   • castration

Safety Issues

1. limit bottoms movement
2. pay attention
3. play with a clean knife
4. avoid cutting the skin (unless planned)
   • keep skin pulled tight
   • sharp tip tends to dig in when pushed
   • avoid moles and other growths
5. keep tip away from eyes and be very careful around ears
6. do not penetrate with blade
7. anticipate fainting and have a plan

Legal issues

1. ownership is generally okay (collector, theatrical use)
2. some knives are regulated
   • switch blades
   • gravity knives
   • butterfly knives
   • daggers/stilettos/dirks
   • ballistic knives
3. many states regulate the carrying of a knife
4. some states regulate transportation by car or bus
5. airlines typically allow you to check but not carry
6. BDSM clubs - varies