The History of Crops and Canes

Crops and canes both have wide histories which often lend themselves to their current use in BDSM play scenes.

Caning began, like most BDSM practices, from the judicial system. Caning was used on criminals and slaves as a punishment that would leave a mark and could be used as a public spectacle to deter others from criminal activities. This is still used in some countries to punish criminals, but not in most of the western world. From there it was then used in schools as a punishment for children who didn’t behave. The use on children has ceased in most western countries and is illegal in most. 

Crops have been adopted from the horse-riding community where they are called riding crops or hunting crops. Often used in equestrian and fox hunting. Because of the horses thick hides they don’t get hurt from crops, if used correctly; even so they aren’t used as much as they once were, mainly in racing. The BDSM community has taken them from here and uses the implement as a different feeling to add to the mix.

Canes will leave very satisfying welt lines or bruises,

you will often hear “6 of the best” as a way they are administered, meaning six very hard sharp strikes to leave those perfect little lines. Crops on the other hand will generally leave a red mark but this will dissipate after a shot while. Below are some pictures of some common Canes and Crops you may encounter. This is a general look at them, some might look slightly different.

Rattan

Sometimes called bamboo canes are quite common in BDSM, they are a nod to the past and how they used to be made for corporal punishment. Sometimes also made of other woods, like birch, they tend to have a little bit of flex to them but bend them too far and they’ll snap like a twig. You can sometimes find them in little bundles of around 8, this gives them a different feel.

Carbon fibre canes

are the opposite to rattan in some ways, carbon fibre canes are made of a solid rod, these rods don’t have any flex to them and are very ridged. They look so pretty and shiny, they come in different thicknesses, normally 6mm or 8mm. It is important to remember that because these canes are so hard, if they hit a hard surface hard enough, being dropped or swung, they will shatter into a million pieces. They are easy to clean and sanitise, as they are a smooth non-porous material.

Polycarbonate canes

are pretty much made of the same stuff as bulletproof glass. Depending on the thickness they can be flexible or rigid. I have one that’s 6mm and that one I can nearly bend in half, the 16mm one I have is hard as a rock and has no give. They are very versatile and fun they are also easy to clean and sanitise, as they are a smooth non-porous material.

Crops

One of my personal favourites. As you can see from above there are lots of different shapes and sizes available. I’ve seen heart-shaped ones and unicorn ones too. They come in numerous colours too, so I’m sure you will find one that suits you.

Head into a sex shop or equestrian shop and have a play with a few to see what you like, I have had a few and I definitely have my top picks. I had one a while ago with a very small flap at the head, I ended up hating it because I kept hitting people with the shaft of the crop as well as the head. My favourite type I call “slappers” they have two non-connected pieces of leather, when you hit somebody's butt with it, it makes a brilliant sound because of the two pieces of leather bouncing off each other while bouncing off their butt.

Canes and Crops are brilliant sex toys 

to add to the mix of your play and they are pretty each to use. But hears a couple of safety tips too.
You can use canes and crops on a few areas of the body, I have made a quick Green (Yes) Red (No) Orange (maybe) picture for basics. There are finer details once you get more experienced but for now, these are the areas.

What you are aiming for are areas with big muscle surfaces. What we aren’t looking for are areas with major organs. Yes, you are hitting outside the body, but, if you hit hard enough on areas with major organs you can cause a lot of issues especially down the road after years of it happening. When ever you are playing safety is paramount, protect your bottom by aiming for the green areas. The other thing you need to remember this even with canes and crops, they may look like they can’t do real damage, but they can.

So it is best to stick to the green areas. Orange areas are orange because you sometimes can and sometimes can’t. For example, somebody with ample breast tissue would be able to handle a few hits from a cane or crop as long as it doesn’t deviate from the breast onto the chest plate. A flatter chest doesn’t have this cushioning; so, I would advise against it.
Bottoms please remember that if any toy breaks skin you need to keep that area clean and covered. Don’t let any germs in, and keep an eye on its healing.

How To Care For Crops and Canes

Storage is pretty easy with these guys stand them up or lay them down, but do remember the loops on the end of a crop will bend permanently if it’s left loop down. Care is very similar they generally just need a wipe down and they’re fine. If you are using them with more than one person you will need to use alcohol to wipe them down between people, Please also remember that if you use a cane or crop until blood is drawn, it can not be cleaned 100% again. There are so many little grooves and areas for the blood to get into. Do not use a paddle that has had blood on it with a different bottom.