RopeBondage101

Overview
Bondageandrestraintisacommonfantasyformanypeople.Somepreferthestruggleandpotentialforescape,others
enjoyfeelingofcapturingandholdinganotherpersonincaptivity.Ropebondagecanbeusedasautilitarianrestraint
usedforfurtherplay,orasanenduntoitselfwithcomplexpatternsandforms,designedtobeautifullycaptivatea
willingparticipant.Thisworkshopcoverssafetyconcernssurroundingropebondage,ropematerials&selection,basic
knots,andsimplerestraintties.WhatfollowsfromthisbaseisacomparisonbetweenWesternandEasternropestyles
alongwithanexampleofaJapanesetie.Theworkshopwindsdownwithsometipsandtricksforimprovingyour
bondageskillsandanoverviewofresourcesavailableinprintandontheinternet.
Thisguideiswrittenasinstructiontothepersonapplyingthebondage,thetermpartnerisusedtoindicatetheperson
onwhomthebondageisbeingapplied.

Bio
ImafunlovingropegeekandsexeducatorwhohasfoundahomeintheMidwestUnitedStateskinkcommunity.When
Imnottravelingtoevents,IcontributetotheIowaStateUniversityCUFFSgroup,andserveontheboardof
MinneapolisTNGgroupMinKY.AlthoughImarelativelynewmemberofthescene,Ivepresentedatnumerousevents
acrossthecountry,includingKinkyKollege,Shibaricon,DenverBound,andBeyondLeather.
Asapresenter,Iaimtoprovideacomfortabledowntoearthlearningenvironmentforallgenders,orientations,and
experiencelevels.
Mylonglistofpresentations,events,andclassmaterialscanbefoundathttp://www.kinkfriendly.org
Lastly,Iamnotamedicalprofessional.Evaluateyourownrisksbeforeparticipatinginanykinkactivities.
Enjoyyourselves!
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ThisworkislicensedunderCreativeCommonsAttributionShareAlike3.0
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/bysa/3.0/

History
Ropehasbeenatool,toy,clothingaccessory,anddecorationthroughouthumanhistory.Itsusesaremanyandvaried,
butdorememberthatropehasalsobeenusedasaweaponandtorturedeviceformanyyearsaswell.
Whatshallwedowithadrunkensailor?Thisoldseashantygivesusoneglimpseofropeuseinthepastgivehima
tasteofthecaptainsdaughterrefersnottoatastytryst,butinsteadtotheCatoNineTailsformedbyuntwistinga
threecordlengthofriggingropeintoitsconstituentparts,andoftenknottingtheendsforalittlemorebite.
Hanging,Drawing,andQuarteringWhilehangingisstillusedtothisdayasaformofexecution(asrecentworldevents
remindus),fargorierpunishmentsforhightreasonandregicidehavebeenpracticedinthepast.
HojujitsuThisJapanesemartialartwascreatedforthecapture,transport,restraint,andtortureofprisonersandwas
usedfromthe17thCenturyEdoperiodandremainedinpracticebyJapanesepoliceuntiltheWWIIera.Different
restraintswereusedbasedonpeoplebasedontheirsocialstatusormethodoftransport.Itsalsostatedthatprisoners
wereretiedatvariousborderstokeepthetiesofoneschoolsecretfromthoseofthenext.Torturewithropewasalso
practicedinJapanwithrestrictiveties,forcedkneelingonstrawstatamimats,andpartialandfullsuspensions.The
tenetsofHojojitsuarefunctionality,safety,secrecy,andbeauty.

SafetyandNegotiation
UndertheRiskAwareConsensualKinkframework,safetyconsiderationsareimportanttocommunicateduring
negotiationsandthereforebotharepresentedasasingletopic.Thebasicsafetyrulesofkinkapplytoropebondageand
manyvolumeshavebeenwrittenonnegotiation,safecalls,checkingreferences,avoidingintoxicants,andgenerally
protectingyourself.Pleaseseetheresourcessectionattheendofthishandoutforfurtherintroductorymaterial.There
are,however,additionalsafetyandnegotiationconsiderationsforropebondagethatoneshouldbeawareof.Thisisby
nomeansacompletelist,butinsteadonethathascomefrompersonalexperienceandlearning.AsIcontinuetoplay,
thislistcontinuestogrow.
ConsentNo,thisisntropespecific.Yes,thisisthemostimportantelementofanykinkorsexualactivity.Beawareof
thelegaldefinitionofconsentinyourjurisdiction.

MedicalIssues
DontPanicHealthcareprofessionalsaretheonlyoneswhoshouldbediagnosingmedicalproblems.
Whatmaylooklikenervedamagecouldinfactbeasprainwhoseswellingistemporarilyblockinga
nervepath.Physiciansseeallsortsofailmentsandthereareplentyofkinkawareprofessionalslisted
bytheNCSF.Remember,everyoneisresponsiblefortheirownhealthandthehealthofthoseintheir
care.

Placingbondageon
theinsides(left)or
outsides(right)of
jointscouldleadto
circulationand
nerveissues.

CirculationCuttingoffthebloodsupplytoalimbanditsnerveendingscausesnumbnessinthatlimb.
Ineverydaylifeyoumayexperiencecirculationlossasalimbgoingtosleepandisnormallynotanissue.
Likelywhathashappenedisthepositionyousatorsleptindidntallowproperbloodflowandnowthat
youreupandmovingagain,feelingwillrestoretonormal.Whileitisimportanttorestorecirculation
withinareasonableamountoftime,thereslikelynoneedtoworryifyourpartnerstillhascontrolof
theirhandsandfeet.However,ifthenumbnessisaccompaniedbypainorinabilitytomove,thisisa
muchmoreseriousissueandmustbeaddressedimmediately.
NerveCompressionorDamageNumbnesscausedbycompressingordamagingnervesisamuch
greaterconcernthancirculationissues.Ifyourpartnerisexperiencingnumbnessandisunabletomove
theirextremities,removethemfromthebondageimmediately.Nervepathsareoftenexposednear
jointswherethereislessmuscletoprotectthem,forthisreason,avoidtyingorwrappingonjoints,in
thegroin,ontheoutsideoftheupperarm.Damagingthesenervepathscouldresultinpermanentloss
offeelingandmovementinalimb.
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SeetheBDSMChicagoropesafetypageformoreinformationregardingcirculationandnervedamage:
http://www.bdsmchicago.com/cram/MED_medical.html
Ineithercase,itisimportanttorestorecirculationandnervefunctionassoonasyouknowtheyvebeendegraded.
Watchforextramovementinyourpartnershandsorfeetandwhenyoucheckin,askthemtomovetheirhandsand
feetandnotifyyouofanynumbnessorlackofmovement,anothergoodtestistohaveyourpartnergrabyourhand.
Numbnessandrestrictedcirculationontheirownarenttoolargeofaconcern,butwhenaccompaniedbypain,theyare
muchmoredangerous.ThisquotefromJayWisemansumsthingsupprettywellGoodPainGood,BadPainBad
Asphyxiation/PositionalAsphyxiationDonottieropearoundthefrontofsomeonesneck.Tiesthatproducea
similareffectasahaltertopshirtmaybeokay,butneverblockanairwaywithrope.Asidefrombindingtheneck,other
asphyxiationdangeroccurswhensomeoneisputinapositionthatmakesitdifficulttobreatheovertime.Adifficult
positionmaybecomefatalifunchangedforlongenough.Alsorememberthatgagscombinedwithanyplayincrease
risksdramaticallyduetoreducedcommunicationanddifficultbreathing.
Asthma,Diabetes,Fibromyalgia,andOtherMedicalConditionsStressandexcitementcantriggerasthmaattacks,
diabeticstendtohaveworseperipheralcirculation,peoplewithfibromyalgiamaynotbeabletophysicallybeara
positionthathasbeenokayinothercircumstanceswerenotmedicalprofessionalsandtheresnowaythatwecanbe
awareofeverythingthatmaybeaffectingapersonshealth.Ifsomeonewithmedicalissueshasconcernsabouttheir
abilitytoplay,itstimetoconsultaphysicianfortheiropinion.
OldInjuries&SurgeriesEveryonesjointshavehaddifferentlifeexperiences.Whendiscussingaropescene,askyour
partneriftheyhaveanyoldinjuriesorifanypositionsareuncomfortableforthem.Yourpartnermayhaveslept
strangelythenightbeforeorrecentlyrolledananklethatsnowtender.Lookforsurgeryscarsonornearyourpartners
joints,becausewhilesometimestheyforgetaboutabrokenelbowfrommanyyearsback,theirbodysureremembersit!
Keepinmindthatslightmodificationstoapositionmaybeallthatisnecessarytocontinuewithagreatscene.

YourPartner
MonitoringandCheckingInNeverleaveaboundpersonalone.Checkinginonthestatusofyourpartnerregularlywill
keepyourtiedtothecrossscenefromturningintoasuspension,orworse,asphyxiation,scene.Justlikewithany
otherplay,someonewhohasdriftedtoofarintosubspacemaybeaverygoodreasonforyoutocallyoursafeword.
Whenexploringanynewtypeofplay,bondageorotherwise,setyourthresholdabitlowerjustincaseyouhavent
properlyestimatedyourlimitsorabilities.
MovementandEscapeManypeopleenjoythechallengeofescapingfromtheirbondage.Shiftingloadsandwriggling
captivesmaymovesomewrapstobadplaces.Sowhileyouretakingnotesonwhattotiebetternexttime,beawareof
dangerouspositionsandbereadytoputtheegoasideandsayYouwin!Yourenotoutyet,butImsureyoudmakeit
Ijustdontwantyoutoriskyourhealthtrying.
RopemarksThefourtypesofmarkscommonlyassociatedwithropeworkarecompressionmarkscreatedbywraps
aroundskin,ropeburnfrompullingropetooquicklyacrossskin,pinchingmarkscausedbybrokencapillariesinareas
wherewrapswerentuniform,andbruisingfrompoorlyplacedknots.Compressionmarksgoawayrelativelyquickly,
thesearethesameasthepillowmarksthatshowuponyourfaceafteralonghardsleep.Ropeburnisthesameasrug
burn,avoidropeburnbyusingdifferentropematerial,slowingdownyourties,orholdingtheropeawayfromtheskin
whilepullingthroughloops.Pinchingcanbeavoidedbytyingmoreloosely,orbyrunningafingerunderthewrapsto
pullthemnexttoeachother.Planningyoursceneisthebestwaytoavoidknotbruisescreateyourtiesothattherope
endsarentunderyourpartneriftheylaydownorareforcedintoaparticularposition.Asyoubecomemorefamiliar
withidentifyingthevarioustypesofropemarks,theywillbecomeagreattoolinevaluatingthesafetyandeffectiveness
ofyourties.

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TheEquipment
Inspectionsafeequipmentisrequiredforsafeplay.Taketimewhileuncoilingyourropeorbeforeaddinganother
lengthtoyourbondagetovisuallyinspectyourrope.Payspecialattentiontothecenterofyourropeifyoudoubleitup
forties.Ifoneortwoofthestrandsiswearingthrough,thetensioninyourwrapsmightbeheldonlybytheremaining
strand,effectivelyreducingyourropesdiameterandstrength.
SafetyShears/SafetyHookCuttingtoolsdesignedforEMTandotheremergencyresponse
professionalsareamustwhenpracticingropebondage.Playpartnerscostwaymorethanrope,
andifyouneedtogetoutinahurry,onlyareliablecuttingtoolwilldothetrick.EMTshearshave
abluntendthatcanbeusedforgettingbetweenrope/clothingandskinwithoutcausinginjury.A
goodwaytotestyourshearsistousethemwhencuttingnewropeto
lengthorrefinishingyourendsacleansnipthroughthefulldiameterof
yourropeisasignofgoodshears.Safetyhooksareanotheroptioninthis
situation,theyworkonthesameprincipleasshears;howevertheyusea
muchsharperedgeanddontrelyonthescissorsmotion.Anoteon
knives:Somepeopleswearbyknives,butwithoutpropertrainingorhandling,knivesmight
causemoreharmthangood.Useyourjudgmentwhenchoosingwhichtoolisrightforyourplay
style.
EnhancingSafetyWhiletherearemanysafetyconsiderationssurroundingrope,keepinmindthatcombining
restraintswithothertypesofplaymayimprovethesafetyofthoseactivities.Forexample,whippingrequiresaccuracy
withinaverysmallvariationofdistanceandaboundrecipientwontbeabletomovenearlyasfar.

TheEnvironment
Food,Drink,andRestroomBreaksSure,hurryup,anddontpeeonmyrope!Ahealthyequilibriumofhydration,
food,andeliminationisnecessaryforagoodscene.Whilethoughtfullyrequiringyourpartnertodrinkalotofwater
priortothescenecanmakeforsomeexcellenthumiliation,unplannedinterruptionscanbehardertoaccommodate
whensecurelybound.
EnvironmentalConcernsRopeendswillbeflying,heatwillberising,andbeforeyouknowit,furrycreaturesare
flailingabouttheplayspace.Watchoutforthingsinyourspacethatcanbeknockedoverbystrayropesuchasdrinks
andcandles.Asyouapplyevenasimpletietoyourpartnersbody,theymaygetsurprisinglywarm,soremember,as
youaddrope,youmayneedtodecreasethetemperature.Catslovestringandallthingsstringlike.Whiletheymaybe
contenttositonthesidelinesofaflogging,manycantresisttheurgetochaseyourendsacrossthefloorandbed!As
always,takecareinsettingthespaceforyourscene.
ObjectsJustaboutthefirstideapeoplegetwhenconsideringbondageistyingsomeonetothecornersofthebed.This
isaverydifficultpositiontoescapefromandmaybetoorestrictiveforsomeonenewtobondage.Also,securing
someonetoapieceofdungeonfurnitureoreyeboltinthewallcouldbeaskingfortroubleifthepersonisindangerof
fainting.Besurethatthefurnitureisntgoingtotipandthatthoseeyeboltsarentlooseenoughtodropyourpartnerif
theyputtoomuchweightonthem.Initialnegotiationsmightrequirethatshearsareplacedwithinyourpartnersreach
oravoidingfixedpointsandfurniture.Suspensionbondageisbeyondthescopeofthisdocument,butbeawarethateye
boltstypicallyarentinstalledsecurelyenoughordesignedtoholdtheweightrequiredforthisactivity.

TheTie
Tensiondistributingthetensionofatieoveralargersurfaceareasignificantlyreducestheriskofnervedamageand
circulationissues.Nontighteningtiesincorporatingmultiplewrapsofropearetheeasiestwaytocovermoresurface
areawithoutincreasingthediameterofyourrope.Remember,though,thatmorewrapsofsmallerdiameterropedo
nothingtodistributeweightorpressureifthetensiononthewrapsisdifferent.Mostropeexpandswhenitswet,
turningaloosecuffintoavicegripwithanextratightknot.Ifyoureworkingwithropethatwillbecomewet(yesthis
includessweat),leaveadditionalslackandlooserknotstoheadissuesoffearly.
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BlindfoldsRopeblindfoldsmayputmorepressureonapersonseyesthandesired,consideratraditionalblindfold
instead.
Pinchingwhilenotatremendoussafetyconcern,pinchingcanbepainfulandarealturnoffduringaropesceneand
mayleavemoremarksthandesired.Whenperformingbondagewithmultiplewraps,besurenottotwisttheropeor
leavespacesbetweenthewraps.
PlanQuickReleases/WorkInStagesWhileitsgoodtohaveacuttingtoolonhand,itsalsoimportanttoknowhowto
quicklyreleasedifferentpartsofthebondage.Wrappingsomeonein100ofropeandhavingtoadjustthetensionina
particularspotonatiecanbecomeimpossibleifthebondagewereperformedwithasinglepieceofrope.Workin
stagesandaddropestoexistingportionsofyourbondageratherthanextendasinglepieceofropeforanentiretie.This
allowsforspecificsectionstobemodifiedwithoutremovingeverything,andfromaplayperspective,itallowsyouto
reuseportionsofthebondageforadditionalpositions.

AdvancedBondageTopics
Thefollowingtopicsarebeyondthescopeofthisdocumentandareincludedforreaderawareness.Beforeundertaking
anyoftheseactivities,seekoutinstructionandresourcesthatapplytoyourfurtherinterests.Allparticipantsare
responsiblefortheirownsafety,playwithinyourabilities.
StrenuousorTightBondageSomepeopleparticularlyenjoyusingorreceivingverytightbondageorbeingplacedin
particularlydifficultpositionswhiletied.Duetothenerveandcirculationissuesinvolvedinsuchties,itisrecommended
thatextracarebetakenandadditionalreferencesbetakenintoaccountwhenexploringthistypeofplay.
LongTermRestraintPeoplesbodieshavedifferentlimits.Thedurationofbasicbondageisgenerallynomorethan
twohours,butsomeenjoybeingtiedforlongerlengthsoftime.Jointsandmusclescancrampovertimeandmayneed
specialattentionwhenbeinguntied.RefertoJayWisemansEroticBondageHandbookforinformationonmonitoring
thesesituations.
SelfBondageManypeopleenjoybindingthemselvesormaynothaveapartnertoparticipateinbondagewith.While
therearemanyresourcesfortiesavailableonline,beawarethatthingscangoverywronginisolation.Whenplaying
alonepleaseconsidersettingupasafecallforyourself.
SuspensionWhilesometiesinthisdocumentcanbeloadbearing,farmoresecuretiesandadditionalknowledgeare
requiredbeforeanyoneshouldengageinsuspensionbondage.Icannotresponsiblyteachsuspensionbondageonpaper
orinalargegroup,nordoIfeelcomfortableinstructingindividualsinsuspensionasIvestillgotplentytolearnmyself!
Incorrectlyperformedsuspensionrunstheriskoffailingeveryoneoftheabovesafetyconcernsandisconsiderededge
play.Pleaseseekindividualorsmallgroupinstructionfromanexperiencedbondagepractitionerbeforeattemptingto
recreateorinventanysuspensionscenarios,thisinstructioncanbeobtainedatmanyoftheeventsandworkshopslisted
intheeventssectionofthishandout.

KnowYourRope
Ropecomesinmanydifferentshapes,sizes,andmaterialsherearesomebasics.
AnatomyUnlessyoureamagician,yourropehastwoendsandamiddle.Ifyoufoldyourropeoversothatbothends
aretouching,theloopmadeatthemiddleoftheropeiscalledthebight.
MaterialOvertime,ropehasbeenmadeofmanydifferentmaterialsincludingfibrousplants(hemp,jute,sisal,
cotton),plastics(MFPmultifilamentpolypropylene,nylon),andevenmetal(forindustrialuseslikesuspensionbridge
supports).Syntheticmaterialsarehypoallergenic,veryeasytoclean,anddontneedspecialconditioningbeforetheir
use.Nylonropefromthehardwarestoreisthecheapestandeasiestropetocomeby.Nyloniswhiteandisusuallysold
inbulklengthsaswellasinpackagesof50and100.Whilenyloncanbedyedavarietyofcolors,MFPropecanbe
obtainedinawidevarietyofbrightanddeepcolorsandisgreatforthecolorenthusiast.NaturalFiberropesstartlife
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witharoughandunyieldingtextureandmayrequireconditioningpriortouseinbondage.Somenaturalfiberssuchas
Juteareadverselyaffectedbywaterandthereforeshouldntbeexposedtobodilyfluidswithmultiplepartners.Another
considerationwithnaturalfiberropesisthattheymaytriggergrassallergieswithsomepeople.Hempisagoodnatural
fibertouseasithashighstrengthandlowstretch,anditcanalsobesoftenedbytreatmentandcleanedinawashing
machine.Somepeopleenjoythefeelingofroughrope,notablysisalropefoundinmosthardwarestores.Beawarethat
thesisalfibersarestiffandbrittle,creatingatendencytoleavesplintersintheskin.
LengthAsidefromdiameter,lengthistheothertopquestionforthosenewtoropebondage.Muchefforthasbeen
puttowardmaintainingdifferentlengthsofropesuchascolorcodedwhippingorropeandspecialmarkingsneareach
end.IfyoumainlyuseropetorestrainyourpartnershandstothecornersofyourbedorontoaSt.Andrewscrossyou
canusemuchshorterlengthsthanifyouenjoycreatingropecorsetswithoutaddingnewlengthseverycouplewraps.
Somewillrecommendusinglengthsbasedonthesizeofyourpartnersbody,butifyouplaywithmanypartnersor
yourenotalwaystyingthesamepartofyourpartner,youmaynothaveaconvenientlength.Commonlengthsfor
Japanesestyleropeworkare7m,8m,and30ft.Anotherruleofthumbistobasethelengthoffofyourarmspan,thus
dictatinghowmanypullsyouneedtomaketopullanentireropethroughalooportie.(Whenfoldedinhalf,30is
slightlylongerthan2armspansofa6tallperson)
DiameterThediameterofyourropedeterminesmanyofitsproperties,includingstrength,abilitytoholdknots,
weight,andwrapwidth.Thinnercordmakesforamuchsmallerropebagandallowstyingofmoredelicateareas,
includinggenitalandheadbondage,whilethickerropeisreminiscentofdamselindistresstiedtotherailroadtracks
bondage.Thickerropealsoprovidesmoresurfaceareawhenwrappingbodypartsandislesslikelytocausenerve
compression.Mostbondageropeisbetweentoinch(or6to8mm)indiameter.
BraidedorTwistedHistorically,ropewasmadewithnaturalfiberstwistedintocords,andthosecordsweretwisted
togetherintheoppositedirectiontomakearope.Mosttwistedropeusesthreestrands,andwillcontain100%oftheir
constituentmaterial.Braidedropes,ontheotherhand,aremuchsmootherandhaveafewdifferentdesignswhose
mostnotabledifferenceisthepresenceofacore.Bearinmindthatthecoreofabraidedropemaybecomprisedof
unknownmaterials(identifiedonthebagorspoolas100%mixedfibers)whichcanhaveadifferentelasticityofthe
sheath.Thiscanbedangerousastheelasticitydifferencemayaffectthetensionofyourties.Somepeoplepurchase
coredropeandpulloutthecoreoncetheropehasbeencuttolength,creatingamuchsofterropethatlaysflatteron
onesskin.Solidbraidropehasthesameoutwardappearanceascoredropebutismuchdenserandismadefrom100%
oftheirconstituentmaterial.
StretchNylonandPolypropyleneropeshaveahighstretchamount,whichmeansthattherestrictivebondagemight
beslippingandsliding20minuteslater.Ontheotherhand,naturalfiberropehasverylittlestretchandwillmaintainits
tensionformuchlonger.Climbingropesvarybasedontheirdesignanduse.areratedfortheirstretchrate,withsome
beingdesignedtoabsorbtheshockofafall(highstaticelongation)andotherdesignedforliftingastaticload(lowstatic
elongation).
BurnRatePullingropethroughwrapsagainsttheskinoraroundbodypartscanquicklyturnfromasensualslithertoa
searingshowstopper!Naturalfibrousmaterialstendtochafeorabradewhenpulledacrossskin;however,smooth
syntheticmaterialswillburnfarmorequicklyandthusaresaidtohaveahighburnrate.Runyourropethroughyour
fingerswhenusingunfamiliarornewropewhileyoureevaluatingtheburnrate,yourpartnerissquirmingintheirseat
wonderingwhatsgoingtocomenext.
Stillwonderingwhattouse?ChoosetoysthatyoucanconnectwithDoyoulovetheutilityofthenylonyoufoundin
thegarage?Areyouaclimberwholikesthestrengthofclimbingline?Doyoulovetheearthysmellofnaturalfibers?Do
youpreferropemarkscausedbytwistedrope?Doheavierdensitymaterials(likehemp)feelmorepowerfulthan
syntheticmaterials?

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RopeEnds
Whilethebightisprettystraightforward,peoplesropeendsareasvariedasthepeopleusingthem.Oneproblemwith
cuttingaropeisthattheendstendtofrayifnotproperlyfinishedandmanywaystofinishropehavebeenusedover
time.Oftenitiseasiertofinishyourendspriortocuttingyourrope,thiswaythematerialdoesntfrayaftercutting.
Knottingbyfarthequickestwaytofinisharopeisputtingatightoverhandknotintheendandtrimmingtheexcess.
Thiscreatessmallknotsontheendofyourropewhichbecomeveryusefulinextendingyourrope.
WhippingWhippingropeinvolveswrappingtheropeinsometypeofthread,oftenembroideryflosstokeeptheend
fromfraying.Thereexistmanymethodsofwhippingrope,fromverysimplewrappingandtuckingtobombproof
methodsusedbysailorsofold.Belowisoneexampleofsuchwhipping,manymoreareavailableontheinternet.
TapingWrappingyourendswithelectricaltapeisanotherquickandsimplemethodtoreducefrayingandproduces
verycleanends,andsincemultiplecolorsofelectricaltapenowexist,youcancoordinatevariouslengthsormatchyour
favoritetoys.Priortocuttinganewlengthofrope,wrapabout1ofelectricaltapearoundyourropeandcutinthe
centerofthetapethiswillresultinneatlytapedendswithverylittlewaste.
MeltingMeltingtheendsofsyntheticropecreatesasolidmassofplasticattheendofyourropewhichcannot
unravel.Oftenwhenpurchasingbulkrope,anelectricknifeisusedtomeltthroughtherope,butyoucanachievethe
sameeffectbybrieflypassingyourendsoveraflameuntiltheystarttomelttogether.
DippingTooldipisacommonitemonmanykinkyworkbenchesanditcanalsobeusedtofinishropes.YoucandipaU
shapedpieceofropeintothetooldip,letitdry,andthencuttomakeyourends.

MaterialandFinishingExamples

Whipped6mmTwistedHemp

Knotted6mmTwistedJute

TapedSolidBraidMFP

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Knots
Ifyouthoughtboatingschoolorthatpeskymeritbadgewashard,youreinforatreat!Oneofthecommonlaments
surroundingropebondageisIdontknowanyknots.Thebadnewsisthatitcanbedifficulttotiewithoutknots,but
thegoodnewsisthatveryfewknotsarerequiredforeffectivebondage.Thefollowingfourknotswillgetyouveryfar
andyouprobablyknowafewofthem!
SquareKnotTheclassicrightoverleft,leftoverrightsquareknotisareallyhandynonslippingknotthatcanbeused
totieacuffthatdoesntrestrictunderstrain.Alsoknownasareefknot.
OverhandKnotThisistheeasiestknottotieandonlyrequirestheendofonepieceofrope.Overhandknotsarethe
onesthatshowupinyourshoelacesandcanbequitedifficulttoremove.Theoverhandknotisasmallknotthatcanbe
usedattheendofyourropeinsteadofwhippingtheends.Asidefrombeingeasytotie,thesmallknotisperfectfor
attachingadditionalpiecesofropeasyougetfurtherinyourbondageandtheslightpoppingsoundoftheknotpassing
underawrapwhenyoupulltheendsofyourropethroughaddstothefun!

LarksHeadNevertobeusedaloneasacuff,thisconstrictingknotisusedtoattachropetoexistingbondage,create
ropecorsets,andcanbeusedtowraplimbsinsuchawayastocreatemanyattachmentpointsforfurtheruse.Ifyou
useknottedendsonyourrope,oneofthecoolestusesofthelarksheadistoattachanewropetotheendofanother
segment.

Placethebightbehindanobjectandpulltheendsthroughtocreatealarkshead.

Createanemptylarksheadbyfoldingthebightdownandpullingthetailsslightlythroughthebight,thenplaceyouradditional
pieceofropeinthelarksheadloopandpulltight.

HalfHitchusedonitsown,thehalfhitchisaquickwaytouseupextraropeinatie,andoncedoubledortripled,it
canbeusedtoholdanyropeundertensionwhilestillallowingacertainamountofslipfortensionadjustment.Ifyou
findthattwohalfhitchesareslippingtooeasily,adda3rdor4thsincedifferentmaterialshavedifferentamountsof
friction.

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Usedsingly,ahalfhitchisntveryeffective,butaddinganotherhalfhitchortwocreatesaknotthatcanbeuseddoadjust
tensioninaline.

Whenallelsefails,wrapandtuck!Oneofthegreatestwaystofinishatieinapleasingmanneristowraptheremaining
ropearoundsomeelementofthebondageandtucktheendsbelowthelastwrap.Notonlydoesthissavethebulkand
complexityofaddedknots,italsoaddsanicevisualelementtothework.

ClassicRestraintReplacements
Mostropeischeaperthanleathercuffs,andmanyotherrestraintsareevenpricier.Manyoftheclassicrestraintsused
inkinkyplaycanbereproducedwithquickandeffectiveties.Eachofthesetiesstartsatthebightandcreatesagreat
pulleysystemtomoveknotsoutofreachandprovideeasylengthadjustmentoncetied.Bodiescanbeconceptually
reducedtoacompositionofcolumns.Arms,legs,andtorsosareindividualcolumns.
SingleColumnTieStartingwiththebight,wraptwicearoundyourpartnersarmjustabovethewrist(13).Afterthe
secondwrap,passthebightacrossthewraps(4)andthenunderthecuff(5).Tieasquareknotusingtheremainderof
thebightandthestandinglinetocompletethecuff(6&7).Addadditionalwrapsifyoudlikedependingonyourropes
thickness,butremember,steps4and5ensurethateachofthewrapsexertsthesameamountofforceifpulled.

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TwoColumnTiePlacetwoarmsparalleltoeachotherandwrapthebightaroundbothlimbstwice,leavinggenerous
roombetweenthewrists(1&2).Afterthesecondwrap,crossthebightwiththeremainingropesothattheyreparallel
tothearms(3).Passtheendsoftheropetotheothersideofthetieandcompletewithasquareknot(4&5These
photographsweretakenfrombelowthearms).

ArmBinderStartingwithatwocolumntieasdescribedabove.Wraptheremainingropearoundbothlimbsandpull
theendsbackthroughthewrapinthecenterofthearms(2)cinchthewrapbypassingtheendsbetweenthearms
towardthehands,andpulltheendbacktothefrontofthetietowrapagain(3).Repeatsteps2and3withthe
remainderoftheropeandthensecuretheendsbehindtheneckwithasquareknot(6).

Getcreativewiththetwocolumntie!Imaginevariouspositionspossiblebyaligningdifferentcolumns.Upperarmto
lowerarm,upperlegtolowerleg,armtoleg,armtotorso,lowerleftarmtoupperrightarmincludeasecondpartner
andthepossibilitiesstartseemingendless!

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Style&Approach
Forsome,thebondageendshere.Itsameanstoanendnamely,restrainttoprepareforadditionalplay.Whetherits
waxing,spanking,cutting,caning,whipping,orflogging,manykinkactivitiesbenefitfromphysicalrestraint.This
pragmaticformofbondageisenoughformost.Furtherbondage,forthesolesakeofbondagecanalsobeanendunto
itself.
EasternandWesternculturalimageryhaveinfluencedtheclassicbondagestylespracticedinthoseregions.
WesternBondageHoudini,Rodeos,DamselsinDistress,DetectiveInterrogations,BettiePage,WonderWoman
thesearethebondageimagesthathaveinfusedtheUnitedStatesculture.ClassicWesternbondageusessinglestrands
oflargediameter,white,cottonropeofvaryinglengthsandofteninvolvespredicaments,suchasbeingtiedtothe
railroadtracks,drugbehindahorse,tiedtoalogatasawmill.Theseimagesappearinthefirstmovies,earlyfetish
photography,cartoons,andevenmodernpopculture.Westernbondagecoversmanystylesclean,messy,minimalist,
andexaggeratedbutthegoalisoftenfirmlyrootedinfunctionality.
JapaneseStyleBondageBondageandwaxplayisasprevalentinJapanaswhipsandchainsareinWesternkink.With
itsHojujitsuroots,Japanesestylebondagepatternsechoelementsofthemartialart.Boxties,bodyharnesses,and
full/partialsuspensionsarecommonsightsinpornography,manga,andhentai.Thepositionsseencommonlyin
Japaneseropearethoseofsubmissionandhumiliationratherthanstrugglingcaptives.Exposureandshameareplayed
uponheavilyalso,asJapaneseropemodelsshowfacesofsadnessandintrospectionastheyretied,fullydressed,and
thenuncoveredslowlyinashamefulmanner.Japanesestyleropebondagegenerallyuses78mJuteorHemprope,
oftennaturallycolored,ratherthandyed.WithpresentationandvisualstylebeingsoimportanttoJapaneseculture,
evenasecurelyboundbodyisconsideredtobeacanvaswheresimplicityorpatternsofintricateknots,wraps,and
twistsformanartisticcomplimenttoanotherwisestraightforwardactivity.
ShibariJustaspaperfoldingandservingteahavebecomehighlyritualizedcrafts,sotoohasropebondage.Thisstyleof
formalizedbondageisknownasShibariandispracticedandtaughtinJapanbyanumberofmasters.Shibaritiesare
thoughtfullydesignedandexecutedwithbeauty,functionality,safety,andahostofadditionalcriteriainmind
reminiscentofHojojutsu.Thesepatternsaremeanttoberepeatableandaretaughttostudentswiththeintentof
practiceandmastery.Whilethisallseemsshroudedinmystery,itsveryclearthattheconceptofShibariinJapanhasa
verystrictdefinitionthatneednotbecooptedorupdatedsothatitcanincludepeoplewhohavelearnedtheirstyle
basedonimagesorvideosleavingJapan,orfrompeoplewhodonthaveformaltrainingthemselves.
CommonwoesrelatedtoropebondageareIttakestoolong!andIdontknowwhattodonext!Whilegreatability
inanypursuittakestimeandpractice,greatnessisntrequiredfortohavefun.Rememberthatyouretyingathingof
beautyanddesire.Justlikethemacaroniartyoumadeforyourparentsbackingradeschool,anyattemptwillbe
noticed.Withallofthevariationsinropes,bodies,skill,andsoforth,itstobeexpectedthatyourbondagewontlook
exactlyliketheexampleyouvebaseditonortheideainyourmindseye.Beingflexible,relaxing,andenjoyingyourself
areveryusefulingettingthemostfromyourexplorations!

UntyingandAftercare
Untyinggetsitsownsectionsincemanypeopleenjoybeinguntiedjustasmuchifnotmorethanbeingtiedinthefirst
place!Dependingonthematerialofyourrope,themoodofthescene,andtastesofthoseinvolved,comingoutofthe
bondagecantakemanyforms.Itcouldbealingeringsensualprocess,aroughburningone,amethodicalexamination,
anexcruciatingchallenge(haveyourpartnerholdthepositiontheywereboundin),arediscoveryofonesfreedom,an
escapeartiststrial,oratransitiontoyetanotherboundposition.Keepburnrateandpinchinginmindwhenuntying
too,thatcandefinitelydiminishtheeroticsuspense!Limbsandjointsthathavebeeninvolvedinbondagecantakea
minutetorecoverfrompositions.Eitherhelpyourpartnerslowlyreturntheirlimbstoanormalposition,orletthem
moveattheirownpace.Thisisalsoanexcellenttimetomassageanystressedmusclesorjointsaspartof
aftercare.Whencomingoutofbondage,bepreparedforyourpartnertocooldownsignificantly.Itmaynotseemlike
clothing,butremovingtheropesalmostinvariablylowerstheirbodytemperature.
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StoringRope
Onceyouredonewithyourropeforawhile,itsveryusefultospendalittletimekeepingitorganizedforthenexttime
youwanttopullitout.Notonlydoesthismakelifeeasierforthenextplaysession,buthandlingyourropecanhelpyou
buildfamiliaritywithhowitfeelsandmovesinyourhands.Everyprofessionthatusesropeorcablingofanysortseems
tohaveitsownmethodforropestoragewithstrengthsthatbenefititsusersropebondageisnodifferent.Many
peopledoubleuptheirropeanduseachainstitch,thismethodisoutlinedonmanywebsites,soIllskipithere.Two
otherusefulstoragemethodsare:
Tieaslipknotatthebightofyourropeandthenfoldtheropeinhalfuntiltheresjustenoughlengthtoeasilytie
anotherslipknotusingtheentiretyoftherope.Thismethodcanbetheatricallyuntiedwithtwosnappingmotions;
however,itsnotstableenoughtotravelwellinatoybagwithoutfallingapart.

Startingwiththeends,wraptheropeinafigure8betweenyourthumbs,leavingenoughremainingropetocircleyour
bundleafewtimes.Tuckthebightunderthefinalwraptocreateaquickwaytounwrapyourropeandgettobusiness!
Thesebundlesareusefulforstorageandgeneralusesincetheydonteasilyfallapart.

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Tips&Tricks
Pullingropeismucheasierthanpushingit!
Insteadoffishingtheropethroughawrap,putafingerthroughandhookitontotheropeandthenpullitthrough.
Usethebigholeiftheresaholetouse,thenuseitinsteadofpushingaropethroughacrampedspace.
Surfacetensionisawesome,trypouringliquiddownarope.
Createaniceknotbyonlypullingasmallamountofropethroughawrap,thentwistthenewlycreatedsmallbightand
feedtherestoftheropethroughit.
Thinkbeforeaddingonwhenaddingarope,askyourselfifyoullsaveacompletepullthroughifyouaddafterthenext
wrap,orpassthebightofthenewropethroughtheoppositedirection.
Iftheendsofyourropedontlandinaconvenientspacetoaddanotherpiece(suchasthearmpitarea),addan
additionalwraportwotogetyourendstomove.
Dontalwaysaddtotheendofyourrope,insteadhookintopreexistingbondagebyknottingonasmallloopandfill
emptycanvas.
Whencrossingoveranotherrope,addatwistorknotinsteadoflettingtheopportunitytoembellishandstabilizegoby.
Makeastickwhenpullingropethroughajointorothersensitivearea,pulltheropetaughtbetweenyourhandsto
helpitpassmoreeasily.
Portionsofthebondagedonthavetostandalone,createabodyharnessandattachanankletoitwithasinglecolumn
tie,useyourimaginationtoreuseexistingpieces.
Startwithideasofwhereyoudliketotakethebondage,ratherthanfeelinglikeyouhavetoadlibeachtime.
GoGoGo!Yesyouwantyourtiestolookgood,butspending50yearswonderingwhattodonextwonthelpyou
improve.Trythings!Itsokayifitfails,yourelearning!
Handsarethefirstthingtogowheninbondage,bepreparedtoperformatemporarytieorfindsomeotherwayto
occupyyourpartnershandsandtiethemlast!
Applyconstanttensiontotheropewhentyingsothatthebondagedoesntfallapartonyou.
Removeyourshoessoyoucanfeelyourropesunderyou.
Theresnoonetruewayforropebondage.Besafeandresponsible,andhavefundoingyourownthing.Dontlimit
yourselftosomeoneelsesideasofstyleorquality.

RopeResources
ThecenteroftheJapaneseropeworldintheUSisDSArtsThissiteismaintainedbyJimiTatu,educator,lifestyler,etc
hisleatherresumeisimpressiveandhesbeenaropefetishistforaverylongtime.Hesthefounderofthe
AdultRopeARtsyahoogroupwhichisfrequentedbythetopinternationallyknownriggers.Thelistismoderatedvery
wellandtheconversationstaysontopic.TheAdultRopeARtsgrouphomepagehasagreatgalleryandanEXTENSIVE
linkssection.Mostofthefollowinginformationisavailablethroughlinkslistedonthegroup.http://www.dsarts.com

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Books
Rope,Bondage,andPoweristhefirstbookIvebeenpublishedin!MyessayThePowerOfFluencyexploreshow
onesfamiliaritywithropeevolvesfromatoy,intoatool,andultimatelyanextensionoftheirwill,alongwiththeeffects
thishasontheirscenes.ThebookiseditedbyLeeHarringtonandcontainsadditionalworksbysomeofthegreatest
riggersaroundtheworld.Whiletheotherbookslistedherepresentgreattechnicalinformation,thisbookexploresthe
personalsideofbondage.(ISBN:1935509020)
JayWisemansEroticBondageHandbookthisbookgoesoverthebasicsofsafety,ropeselection,andbasicties.Youll
beexposedtoquiteafewdifferentknots,butrememberthatyoucangetbywithalarksheadandasquareknot!Ive
seencopiesofthisbookatnumerousBordersStores,otherwiseyoucangetitonlineatamazon,ordirectlyfrom
GreeneryPress,thebookspublisher(Quickplug,GreeneryPresshasatonofgreatbooks!JayWisemanfoundedthe
presswhichalsoprintsSM101,TheEthicalSlut,TheTopping&BottomingBooks,andmanymore!)(ISBN:1890159131)
TheSeductiveArtofJapaneseBondageMidorisbookillustratesstepbystepmethodsforcreatingsomevery
complexlookingties.Itsagreatconfidencebuilderandwillhelpgetideasflowingforadditionalties!(ISBN:
1890159387)
LeeBridgettHarringtonsShibariYouCanUseandChantaRosesBondageforSexaregreatcompanionbooks
Leeisveryartisticandexplainstheconceptsbehindthehumanmacramharnessesanddecorative/clothingaspectsof
rope,whereasChantastalksaboutbondagepositionsforsexandfunctionalties.Bridgettwasfeaturedrecentlyon
RopeWeeklyandChantahasbeenmakingthepodcastroundsaswellcheckoutRopeWeeklyandFetishFlameforthe
interviews.(HarringtonISBN:097787270X,RoseISBN:0977723801)
ShowingYoutheRopesandthefollowupbookBackontheRopesbytheTwoKnottyBoyshasatonofstepbystep
tiesthatarewelllaidoutandeasytofollow.Asidefrombeinganinformativesource,thisbookisalsoveryreasonably
priced.(ISBNs:193116049X,1931160694)

Tutorial Sites
Twistedmonksvideotutorialscoverthesingleanddoublecuffspresentedinthisworkshop:
http://www.twistedmonk.com/video.htm
RopefashionshasmanystepbystepJapaneseandWesterntutorials:http://www.ropefashions.com
Japanropehaslotsofbeautifulphotobasedtutorials:http://www.japanrope.com
Kinkyropes.comhasmanyWesternstylecuffandknotexamples:http://www.kinkyropes.com
MorTis(thefounderofShibariconwhocreatedChicagosropescene)hasplentyofgreatJapanesestyletutorialsonhis
site:http://www.bdsmchicago.com

Vendors
TwistedMonksstapleisorganichemprope,butstopbytofindafewexoticgoodies,books,andhardwareaswell!
http://www.twistedmonk.com
JackElfrinksellscentermarkedropemadefrommanydifferentnaturalfibers.Hellhappilysendyouasampleofhis
ropetouseforallergytesting.http://www.kinkyropes.com
Rawganiqueistheimporterusedbymanyropevendorsfortheiruntreteadhempstock,aminimumorderisrequired
thoughthefirsttimesampleorderpricethresholdisrelativelylow.http://www.rawganique.com
Rainbowropesellsallvarietiesofhardware,MFP,andHempropes.http://www.rainbowrope.com
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BossBondageisanotherfineretailerofHempropes.http://www.bossbondage.com
VintageRopehasJute,Hemp,andavarietyofsyntheticsaswell.http://www.vintagerope.com
HomeDepot,Lowes,Menardsanyhomeimprovementstoreisakinkypersonsbestfriend.Youcanpickup200of
100%nylontwistedropeandcutitintowhateverlengthsyoudlikeataverylowcost.

Events
ShibariconThisannualChicagoeventoccursoverMemorialDayandwasthefirstlargescaleeventofitstype.Notto
bemissed,thisisoneofthegreatestropeeventsintheUS!http://www.shibaricon.com
MidoritravelsallovertheUSandCanadaforherropedojoswhichselloutveryquickly.Checkhersiteforupcoming
events.http://www.ropedojo.com
JimiTatu,founderoftheAdultRopeArtsyahoogroupattendsmanyregionalBDSMeventsandisagreatteacher.
http://dsarts.com/
MaxsworkshopsareheldinSeattleonasemimonthlybasis,hewalkedmethroughmyfirstsuspensionandisgreatat
whathedoes!http://www.bondagelessons.com
LeeBridgettHarringtonisaprolificropeartist,educator,writerHecanbefoundatmanyeventsandisdefinitely
worthmeeting!http://www.passionandsoul.com
DenverBoundWorkshopOrganizedbyRobertandLillyinDenver,CO,thislocalgroupmeetsmonthlyandhostsa
largereventeachFallwithpresentersfromacrosstheUS.http://www.denverbound.com
MN_RopeMinnesotaRopemeetsmonthlyandhasgrownconsiderablysincetheirinception.Theiryahoogroupisat
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mn_rope

Other Resources
TheRopecastisasemiweeklypodcastonallthingsrelatedtoropebondage.http://rope.podshow.com
HeresanarticlebyAngeleneBlackontreatingrope,thisprocessiswellknownforcreatingverynicefinishedhemp
rope.http://dsarts.com/RopeArt/FinishingHemp.html
FetishimagesbyLochai:http://www.kirianwa.com
GraydancersGallery:http://www.graydancer.com/gallery
TheNationalCoalitionforSexualFreedomsKinkAwareProfessionalsList:http://www.ncsfreedom.org/kap/index.htm
ThefollowingWikipediaarticlesareveryusefulforfurtherbackgroundinformationonmanyofthehistoricaland
generaltopicsintroducedabove:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whipping_knot
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drunken_Sailor
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rope
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drawing_and_quartering
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hojujitsu

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Conclusion
Ifyouvemadeitthisfar,yourewellonyourwaytoalotmorefunintheworldofrope.Usetheresourcesabovetofind
moreinformation,attendanevent,orgetsomeinspiration.Themostimportantthingtorememberisthatreadingisno
substitutefordoing,sogetoutthereandstarttying!Practicemakesperfect!
Thanksforreadingandhavefun!
LqqkOut
lqqkout@kinkfriendly.org

PS:AsIattendevents,Ioftenpointpeopletowardthisguide.Ifyoufoundthisinformationusefulorwouldliketo
provideinput,pleasesendmeanemail,Idlovetohearfromyou!

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