MaryAnn and Janet gave an outstanding program on using clamps in SM play. Janet demonstrated various clamping techniques using MaryAnn as the model. Clamps are frequently used to give the bottom the sensations of pain and pressure. Some people love to use clamps and have them used on them and others don’t find any pleasure at all.

The first advice that Janet gave was for beginners to start out slow. The clamps should never be left on a beginner more than 10 or 15 minutes, even this may be too long for some bottoms. The most important point to always remember is that clamps always hurt more taking off then they do applying and having them on. Most people seem to always start with clamping the nipples but clamps can be used on other parts of the body, almost any part that a pinch of skin can be found. A point that MaryAnn made was that usually one or two clamps hurt because all of the pain is focused in two points where more clamps gives a warm feeling throughout the clamped area.

Inexpensive clamps can be purchased at many stores in addition to SM fetish stores. Office Supply Stores, Hardware stores, Home supply stores and other vanilla stores have items that can be used as clamps. Just be sure to try the clamps first to ensure that the pressure and bite are not too much for the bottom. Many Tops use the clamps on themselves first to measure the intensity of the clamp. It has been recommended to me that the skin between the thumb and forefinger is a good place to measure the intensity. Generally the smaller clamps have a higher bite where the larger clamps have higher pressure. Clamps of various sizes can be used to vary the intensity.

Some people like to hang weights from the clamps. The weights used on commercial knitting machines are idea and come in 4 and 8 oz. I have also seen clamps with weights attached that are sold in home stores to be used to hold on picnic tablecloths.

Taking the clamps off can be a very intense action. In many of the fiction stories, the top removes the clamps with a whip. It is a rare bottom that can take the pain that this will cause. Janet likes comfort the bottom first and have them breath deep. She also likes to hold the bottom, particularly if standing to ensure that the bottom doesn’t fall over. She usually takes the clamps off slowly to allow the bottom to get used to the pain prior to moving to the next clamp. The top also needs to be careful that their hands are not slippery or have oil or lubricant on them because this can allow the hand to slip off the clamp and have the clamp reclamp. This can be extremely painful to the bottom. It was pointed out during the demonstration that it is usually best to play with clamps prior to allowing the bottom to have an orgasm because what may feel good prior to orgasm will be just pain afterwards.

Areas of the body that can be clamped are almost anywhere except the face. Janet pointed out that she never clamps the face due to safety considerations. The sexual organs are idea for clamping. Almost all parts of the penis can be clamped but the head may be too intense for many. However, the skin on the penis and the scrotum are good to clamp and can be clamped for a long period of time. On the female, the outer labia is very similar to the scrotum and can also be clamped for a long period of time. You can also clamp the outer labia together and form a chastity device with them. If you happen to have a male partner who is uncircumcised, clamping of the foreskin can have the same effect (something this author can’t wait to try).

Janet also demonstrated different ways to use clamps, one is a zipper which is a series of clamps fastened together on a string or rope. The clamps are two to three inches apart which allows placing apart or close to each other on the body. The clamps can be removed by pulling on the rope to remove the clamps all at once.

The program and demonstration were excellent and a special thank you need to be given to both Janet and MaryAnn..

Posted with permission from Society of Janus
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