Knife Play in BDSM consists of using a knife or a blade (including, among others, scalpels, daggers, swords,...).
Blunt and specially designed for safety for some, cutting and sharp for others.
The goal is to share an intense moment, between sweetness, pain and fear. And always a lot of confidence.
Different techniques of knife play
Knife Play is a very versatile practice, it can go from very soft strokes to cuts. Here is a presentation of the different classic techniques of use.
- Removing wax: After practicing Wax Play, especially with candles, you can use a knife (generally blunt, or wooden ) to scrape the wax off the skin. This technique is very useful to continue the session, and remove the drops of candles, while associating interesting sensations of caresses, cold or even fear.
- Playing hot and cold: The cold blade of the knives allows you to play with temperatures, and give different sensations. To feel them even more, you can put them in the fridge before practice.
- Playing on fear: Knives are often very impressive. Barely out of your bag, they will have their effect on the mind of the other.Dummy blades are generally used in this case, allowing to believe in a risk of cutting, blindfolded.
- Scratch: By using just the tip of the knife, on the non-cutting side, you can make small scratches, or even write on the skin in this way. Usually with minimally sharp knives. In this case, it will be necessary to take care of the safety of your environment and of the recipient.
- Cut: With very sharp knives, and generally rather thin and light, or with scalpels, you can inflict small cuts on your partner. This practice requires prior disinfection of the skin and your instruments. A knowledge of the skin is recommended for this practice, as well as of your partner and notions of first aid.
Trust and Consent
Trust and mutual consent are essential elements during any BDSM practice, and Knife Play is no exception.
Before embarking on this practice, it is essential to establish open and honest communication with your partner, discussing limits, expectations and safewords/safegest.
Some people may have triggers from knives, cuts, or blood. These are data to take into account to establish the framework of your practice. Knowing that Knife Play allows a large number of different approaches, more or less soft or intense.
Each participant should feel safe and comfortable expressing their wishes, limits, and respecting consent.
Before embarking on this practice, it is essential to establish open and honest communication with your partner, discussing limits, expectations and safewords/safegest.
Some people may have triggers from knives, cuts, or blood. These are data to take into account to establish the framework of your practice. Knowing that Knife Play allows a large number of different approaches, more or less soft or intense.
Each participant should feel safe and comfortable expressing their wishes, limits, and respecting consent.
Precautions and Safety
Knife Play BDSM requires special attention to safety. Here are some precautions to consider:
- Use of appropriate knives: To begin, prefer knives specially designed for safety . These blunt knives minimize the risk of injury. Thereafter, test the blades that suit you best, and that hold well in your hand.
- Preparation and practice: Familiarize yourself with handling the knife before using it on your partner. Do not hesitate to test on yourself
- Body areas: To start with cutting blades, avoid sensitive or vulnerable areas of the body, such as hands, wrists, feet, face and neck, focus on areas with thicker skin.
- Controlled cuts: Be aware of the technique you wish to practice, if you want to instill feelings of fear and vulnerability, without causing injury, or move towards something more incisive. In any case, avoid deep cuts, over large areas, or risking severing veins or arteries.
- Ongoing communication: Make sure to maintain the dialogue with your partner throughout the session. Regularly check his physical and psychological state, and his consent. Be prepared to stop immediately if necessary.
- Pay attention to reactions: If your partner does not show signs of reactivity, and it is not in his habit (it may be a traumatic reaction or a trigger), seems to risk a syncope (whitening skin, sweat or evocation of a sensation of heat, dizziness, etc.), has strong or defensive reactions (which may cause cuts) or if there is an abnormal or unexpected reaction, stop the session and take the time to take stock.
- Take care of the environment: Your practice must be done in a place where you and your partner are not likely to be jostled, to avoid any incident.
The blades, before, during and after, must be placed in a place that neither you nor your partner are likely to touch unintentionally. Prefer hard and flat surfaces. - Always have your first aid kit: At least a disinfectant for the skin, hydro-alcoholic gel to disinfect your hands, and compresses. You can also provide dressings and steri-strips for shallow cuts.
