Let's discuss flogging!

[whipped guy]

This subject has been touched on previously, but not in great detail. Consequently, I thought that it would be a good idea to further explore the subject of flogging... and by flogging I am specifically referring to floggers as opposed to single tail whips, bull whips, and braided whips. Furthermore, since I consider flogging to be the "bread and butter" of all BDSM activities, I thought that it would be a good idea to give it a special thread all it's own.

 

A flogger is a multi strand device with tails of various widths, numbers, sizes, and textures... the components of such each give a different feel depending on their composition and configuration. When used properly it is probably the safest of the whipping devices in the BDSM arsenal. Thinner strands sting and wider strands give more of a slapping effect. The more tails and the longer the tails the more resistance through the air so that effects the ultimate slapping effect as well. The size and weight of the handle also effects how the flogger reacts... not to mention the various types of leather and synthetic materials of which the tails are constructed. All things being equal, for example, deer hide has a relatively soft feel while something tougher like buffalo hide represents the opposite end of the leather spectrum with a much harsher whack. Of course cloth floggers are very soft and rubber or plastic ones can be quite lethal. Most generic floggers are made of a medium weight cowhide... the BDSM equivalent of Pillsbury All Purpose Flour. Still, even such generic floggers can have a different feel depending on the thickness, weight, and size of the strands involved.

 

Regarding safety issues... care must be taken to avoid flogging certain areas of the sub's body. These especially include the fleshy areas on the side of the torso. These areas are not only tender in nature, but when the flogger's tails whip around the torso they increase in velocity and can cause excessive bruising to an area that is already susceptible to being bruised due to its supple texture. In fact, that is an important fact to remember, as any time the tails curve around any body part (as opposed to landing cleanly and squarely) the increase in velocity can result in overly damaging the given area. In addition, boney areas such as the spine, ribs, hips, and joints should be avoided as well. Of course, depending on the sub's body type, other overly fleshy areas can also respond with excessive bruising. Therefore care must be taken when working such areas. Finally it is prudent to avoid any major organs and especially the kidneys. So another reason to avoid the sides of the upper torso.

 

In general, areas covered by thick muscle can be flogged more heavily. These include the chest (but not the ribcage) and the back and butt ( but avoid the boney area between these two body parts as well as the previously mentioned spinal column).

 

An extended flogging is one of the greatest pleasures in the BDSM playbook. I can think of few things that are as invigorating. While satisfying to the Dom as well, I actually find it more draining, tiring, and definitely more taxing when playing the Dom as the top guy is actually quite stressed when performing a flogging over an extended period of time. The Dom not only has the greater responsibility and burden to keep things safe, but it really takes a lot of energy to keep the action interesting with a bit of variety and a few surprises along the way. For example, I always like to mix things up with floggers of various sizes and textures so as to vary the effects. Still, I am usually glad when the sub indicates that he needs a rest from the action as I have usually built up a greater amount of sweat than has he! Still, seeing a smile on the bottom's face is what gives the top the added energy to keep things going for as long as possible.

 

Of course, floggers can also be used with soft gentle strokes so as to tease the sub by lightly and sensuously caressing him with the flogger's tails. Including the genital areas in such an activity can often drive a sub to the brink of ecstasy. At times simply the aroma of the leather when positioned over the sub's face can make the sub eagerly beg for more.

 

In summary, the sub's level of experience, his level of fitness, muscularity, and the configuration of his body parts will determine the areas that can be flogged more vigorously as opposed to more gently.

So let's get more thoughts... and from both tops and bottoms... and escorts as well. Indeed in spite of having experience as a bottom, other bottoms have helped me become a better top by giving their feedback, assessments, and criticism. In fact much of what I have included in this post is based not only on personal experiences as a sub, but is also based on feedback and critiques from various subs. As an example, one sub noted that I was unconsciously favoring one side of the body over another and this was due to the fact that I am right handed. I have since been trying to equalize things a bit more so as to not unduly stress one area over the other... or for that matter neglect an area that's begging to be worked over! Another taught me the importance of avoiding the boney area of the back just above the butt. Finally, when I contemplate buying a flogger I not only try it out to feel how it will react, but I always try it out on myself to get an indication what the sub will feel as well.

 

One can never be overly informed. I personally feel that I have much more to learn... So let's hear from all you tops, bottoms, and especially escorts!

[uwsman2]

Thanks for starting this thread! Flogging is a major part of my SM fantasies (I'm the bottom, of course), and I've gotten to experience it a few times --- but far from enough to satisfy me. My preference has been to take it on my back or my ass. I've shied away from being flogged in front, but I really should try it! I've preferred to be blindfolded and restrained, so I can concentrate on the sensation of taking a flogging without visual distraction or reflex moves that could screw things up.

 

Responding to your comment about the exhaustion factor for the top, that hadn't occurred to me but it certainly makes lots of sense. Flogging -- especially carefully controlled flogging -- takes physical exertion and mental concentration, so the flogger needs to take breaks. And breaks are good for the recipient as well, especially if they are accompanied by caressing, nipple tweaking, and other such entertainments.

 

The quest for a trustworthy escort who can administer an exhilarating flogging as part of a bondage and sex scene is ongoing....!

[raulgmanzo]

... I've preferred to be blindfolded and restrained, so I can concentrate on the sensation of taking a flogging without visual distraction or reflex moves that could screw things up. ...

The nice thing about blindfolds, especially thicker padded leather ones, or a leather hood, is that is protects the eyes which are vulnerable -due to wraparound- even when flogging from behind.

 

Flogging -- especially carefully controlled flogging -- takes physical exertion and mental concentration

A full on scene with a large flogger in a small hotel room can be difficult. When traveling I tend to bring only relatively small light weight floggers. So flogging is often just a tease or side course rather than the main entree.

 

breaks are good for the recipient as well, especially if they are accompanied by caressing, nipple tweaking, and other such entertainments.

And also allows the Top to read the bottoms skin. Checking the reaction, temperature, tightness ands engorgement of the bottoms skin as it reacts to warming up. Unfortunately smaller spaces or places where one doesn't wish to make too much noise can prove challenging for moving past a warm up.

[tyro]

Welcome back.

T

[whipped guy]

Firstly And most importanlty, we are so fortunate that Raul is back posting here. He has so much knowledge to impart... It has been like pulling teeth trying to lure him back here...

 

Regarding flogger size, Raul is indeed correct. A while ago I had a discussion with an employee at the Lreatherman in NYC. It seems that the ideal size for a flogger when used in a small NYC apartment has 18 inch tails. Still, even when using a flogger in a bigger space care must be taken... and especially in a club setting and certainly when wielding a larger sized flogger.... and that is part of the stress of playing the Dom... as he must not only be careful not to knock over a lamp, but also must always keep a watchful eye for some bystander who might get a bit too close to the action. Consequently, the top guy must be constantly mindful of his surroundings at all times.

[whipped guy]

In an attempt to get the ball rolling once again on this subject I am hoping that we might get a some input from the real experts about flogging techniques ranging from a simple swat, through a figure eight motion, all the way to Florentine flogging... and how rhythm and pace fit into the equation.

 

In the meantime, I want to mention one more way to gently use a flogger. A few years ago a now retired escort softly caressed my butt crack with a flogger. It felt as though I was being rimmed by the leather. I was on the floor with my butt up in the air at the time and as I wrote in my review the whole room started to quake, from my exclamations it probably sounded as if we were at a good ol' boys revival meeting, and if I were not going straight to heaven I at the very least thought that I was going to go right straight through the floor and then through the ceiling of the room below. Further evidence that pain does not necessarily need to be involved to elicit an ecstatic response from a flogger!

 

At any rate, let's hope that the real experts chime in...

[whipped guy]

Since there have been no responses, let me continue by beginning with a discussion of timing as it pertains to flogging.

As an audiophile, back in the 1980’s I recall that many of the British high fidelity magazines began defining audio components in terms of how they reproduced the “rhythm and pace” of the music. This pertained not only to speakers, but also to amplifiers and other components such as CD players. The concept concerned the fact that different components each had their own signature as far as emphasizing the rhythmic aspects of a piece of music. Even though it would seem that it would be the conductor in a classical piece or the drummer in a rock band that would actually control the pace of a given piece of music, hi-fi components were able to emphasize or deemphasize certain aspects of what the musicians originally intended. Consequently, when a certain piece of audio equipment had “rhythm and pace” it was considered to be a compliment… Well, at least a compliment if that is what was desired… as in the audiophile world, as in other aspects of life, often no two people can agree as to what is the perfect way to replicate a live musical experience.

The same thing applies to flogging… timing, rhythm, and pace are important factors for the Dom to consider if he wants to provide the ultimate experience for the sub… Of course each sub, depending on his preferences and level of experience, will prefer a different style of flogging. That’s why there must be a meeting of the minds prior to indulging in such activities.

While it may seem strange to those who have never taken part in an extended flogging, the activity is quite analogous to an extensive massage. It can have an almost hypnotic effect on the sub. Such is the case when the timing of the flogging follows a regular and predictable rhythm. I call it “being in the groove” and it is like a “comfort zone” of sorts. This is usually what novice subs find so mesmerizing about a flogging when they first experience it.

However, not all subs will prefer such an approach… and while it is not fair to generalize… usually more experienced subs will favor a more varied approach where the timing and intensity of the blows are adjusted in a variety of ways. This introduces the element of surprise… and depending on the bottom… that element of surprise can either be a good or bad thing. For some it may have a jarring and unsettling effect that introduces fear into the equation… and fear may or may not be what the sub ultimately desires. As mentioned above, some like a comfort zone… and a very predictable comfort zone. However, others like the feeling of impending danger and thrive on the unpredictability of what the Dom is dishing out. As I said there must be a meeting of the minds. Plus, hand in hand with this the Dom must read the sub’s body language to help determine how much of an element of surprise should be introduced into the equation.

As mentioned in the initial posting, different floggers produce different effects. Switching floggers can therefore introduce an element of surprise. Of course the Dom needs to know how each flogger reacts so he can produce the desired effect, and here is where experience is worth its weight in gold.

A few years ago I did a flip flop session with a well reviewed escort based in Chicago. This occurred at a point in time when the escort was just beginning to provide an S&M service and when I was just beginning to explore my more dominant side. I did not realize it at the time, but my floggers were composed of a different type of hide than were his. As a result, when I began using his to provide some variety… and not realizing that the strands were of a somewhat different material… I inadvertently crossed the line a bit. I recall his immediate reaction of displeasure as he yelled out my name and heatedly exclaimed, “Damn it! Go easy!” When he turned the tables and used it on me I immediately sensed the difference in the effect that it made. It definitely produced more intense and powerful whacks… an almost burning sensation. Consequently, in order to control the effect one needed to know exactly how much force to use so as to produce the desired level of intensity.

At any rate, here was the perfect example of the element of surprise having a jarring effect… and the perfect example of how different components make a flogger react differently. It certainly made both of us learn that one needed to know the equipment under consideration and how it would react prior to using it. As such it was the perfect learning experience for both of us.

Still there is one more factor to consider, and this is a very important concept for the Dom to keep in mind when carrying out a flogging session. In baseball when swinging a bat the fundamental rule is to keep your eye on the ball. When swinging a flogger the cardinal rule is to keep your eye on the tips of the tails. This goes hand in hand with the caveats listed in my initial posting in this thread... the increase in velocity that occurs when the tails curve around a body part thus causing excessive bruising and the Dom's obligation to bypass the parts of the body that responsibly should be avoided. With practice the Dom can use the tails lightly or more forcefully and generate the desired effect. For example, by having the tails barely touch the sub's torso a whirlwind type reaction can be created. Gradually the tails can make greater and greater contact in what can be a crescendo effect.

Once based with the knowledge of how his equipment reacts and what the preferences of the sub are, the Dom can then use a variety of techniques and paraphernalia to make a session either “calmly and sedately predictable” or “dangerously and menacingly shocking”, not to mention any of the options in between.

I could go on, but perhaps others might fill us in as to how that can ultimately be accomplished… Along those lines, any augmentation and especially critiques of what I have posted would be greatly appreciated.

[uwsman2]

I suppose the fact that I got hard reading the previous post suggests that I am really, truly a sub when it comes to flogging. My eyes transmitted the message to my brain which immediately actualized the feeling of what "whipped guy" was describing, and that sent the blood rushing into my cock!!

[raulgmanzo]

...flogging… timing, rhythm, and pace are important factors for the Dom to consider

Those and a few other attributes allow for quite a variety in a session or series of sessions. Even in the classic and probably most common arangement where each player keeps to his role as dom or sub there can still be a symphony of sensations. Sometimes like a call and response piece, perhaps ordered, civilized even comfortably predictable like a Boccherini minuet, Intense like some spontaneous gregorian Savium Convivium, or perhaps the chaos (or surprise!) of an answer to the Unanswered Question. Though lets hope that if the flogging becomes full on antiphony that the bands are at least in the same room.

 

... my floggers were composed of a different type of hide than were his. As a result, when I began using his to provide some variety… and not realizing that the strands were of a somewhat different material… I inadvertently crossed the line a bit…

... and the perfect example of how different components make a flogger react differently

 

A good habit is to run the flogger first through ones hand, feling the weight of it, indentifying it and even if it is familiar dragging the strands over ones arm or through his fingers. This not only lets one take note of the material, weight, and cut but also to make sure nothing sharp or unexpected is tangled in the falls. Also when the strands themselves become tangled, worn or even creased (while in ones backpack) they can splay out in unexpected directions. The Dom can casually, (or dramatically) then whack it against his own arm, thigh, or orver the shoulder on his back and calibrate his stroke.

[Guest boiworship08]

I bought an intertwined red and black leather whip a few years ago that leaves welts that seem to resolve within an hour. Amazing construction. One of the best toys I've ever bought.

[+ WmClarke]

Fascinating reading.

[Rudynate]

I'm not an impact player, but many years ago, I gratified my curiosity about it by asking a top to work me over with a heavy leather belt at an SM party. I know this is crude compared to what a skilled top can do with a well-chosen flogger.

 

It hurt so much it brought tears to my eyes, but it was very hot and very stimulating. So much so that I didn't get to sleep that night until early AM. My butt was black and blue for days afterwards.

 

I have heard that floggers don't leave marks. Is this true?

[whipped guy]

 

I have heard that floggers don't leave marks. Is this true?

 

No!!! As I noted above it depends on how they are used, what they are made of, etc. etc. It is best to avoid making marks... unless that's what the sub wants. There is something called wearing "A Badge of Honor" after all...

[Rudynate]

No!!! As I noted above it depends on how they are used. what they are made of, etc. etc. It is best to avoid making marks... unless that's what the sub wants. There is something called wearing "A Badge of Honor" after all...

 

 

I did enjoy my black-and-blue butt as a badge of honor. I had a play buddy years ago who liked to be switched - he was really into marks - bloody welts, as a matter of fact.

 

 

I have a play buddy now who is a total sub and he keeps bringing up the subject of flogging. He would be a good flogging trainer for me.

[+ quoththeraven]

I've been flogged hard and I've been spanked open-handed with a little impromptu belt action added in (same person administering them both times). While the duration of the spanking may have been longer (not by a lot, though), the flogging hurt more at the time but the marks faded faster (week and a half versus two weeks).

[whipped guy]

I did enjoy my black-and-blue butt as a badge of honor. I had a play buddy years ago who liked to be switched - he was really into marks - bloody welts, as a matter of fact.

 

 

I have a play buddy now who is a total sub and he keeps bringing up the subject of flogging. He would be a good flogging trainer for me.

As a sub I went through the badge of honor phase. I subsequently filed that under "been there and done that" and ultimately decided that its more fun to play longer... I would rather relax and enjoy a long ride than feel that I have to prove something to someone or even to myself. However, not everyone feels that way and I can respect that and that is part of the Dom's job to give his boi (or gal to QTR) what they want as long as it is done sanely and responsibly!

[Guest MikeThomas]

Enjoy the GIF and the clip.

 

http://clips4sale.com/75143/real-russian-severe-punishments/Cat0-AllCategories/Page1/DisplayOrder-desc/Limit10/search/lavrenty

 

What a beautiful ass!

[whipped guy]

According to the description provided with this GIF after the sub had his pecs and abs flogged. The gag was subsequently removed and he then begged the Dom to finish him off by flogging his back. The gag was reinserted and the Dom proceeded to give his boy exactly what he not only wanted but needed. A bit over the top, but it happens.

 

 

http://juicygif.com/albums/userpics/2015y/10/29/6/1/4580-after-finishing-the-front-of-his-body-i-removed-the-gag-watered-him-and-asked-if-he-wanted-to-continue-he-begged-me-to-flog-his-back.gif

[Guest MikeThomas]

According to the description provided with this GIF after the sub had his pecs and abs flogged. The gag was subsequently removed and he then begged the Dom to finish him off by flogging his back. The gag was reinserted and the Dom proceeded to give his boy exactly what he not only wanted but needed. A bit over the top, but it happens.

 

 

http://juicygif.com/albums/userpics/2015y/10/29/6/1/4580-after-finishing-the-front-of-his-body-i-removed-the-gag-watered-him-and-asked-if-he-wanted-to-continue-he-begged-me-to-flog-his-back.gif

 

Do you know what film?

[whipped guy]

Do you know what film?

 

Unfortunately no, but in my search I did come across the frontal flogging... and for me that is an even greater turn-on!

 

http://67.media.tumblr.com/c10bff1455c881cd715e09bb424f5698/tumblr_o1f3m6rWyr1sjna1ho2_400.gif http://juicygif.com/albums/userpics/2015y/10/29/6/1/4580-after-finishing-the-front-of-his-body-i-removed-the-gag-watered-him-and-asked-if-he-wanted-to-continue-he-begged-me-to-flog-his-back.gif

 

No link gave the source when I did a Google image search. Here's a link with the two pics side by side with a nice caption about getting both sides to be the same color!

 

http://gaymasterandslave.com/you-want-to-bring-both-sides-to-same-color/

[Guest MikeThomas]

Unfortunately no, but in my search I did come across the frontal flogging... and for me that is an even greater turn-on!

 

http://67.media.tumblr.com/c10bff1455c881cd715e09bb424f5698/tumblr_o1f3m6rWyr1sjna1ho2_400.gif http://juicygif.com/albums/userpics/2015y/10/29/6/1/4580-after-finishing-the-front-of-his-body-i-removed-the-gag-watered-him-and-asked-if-he-wanted-to-continue-he-begged-me-to-flog-his-back.gif

 

No link gave the source when I did a Google image search. Here's a link with the two pics side by side with a nice caption about getting both sides to be the same color!

 

http://gaymasterandslave.com/you-want-to-bring-both-sides-to-same-color/

 

Thanks... The "punishment from getting hard" gif from that website is hot. Would post, but don't know how. Hint, hint...

[whipped guy]

Thanks... The "punishment from getting hard" gif from that website is hot. Would post, but don't know how. Hint, hint...

 

Hint hint taken... Unfortunately it can't be posted directly!

 

http://gaymasterandslave.com/punishment-for-getting-hard-2/attachment/4822/

[whipped guy]

To continue with frontal action and possibly by a single tail device...

 

http://67.media.tumblr.com/e2e0ada948b335bf872de9dec01eec59/tumblr_nyyd54sH451u72bypo1_1280.gif

 

Again over the top... But hot as hell.