Locking teardrop collar - collar by Sinvention - review by Owl Identified

Okay, the title may be a slight exaggeration. I'm not actually crying tears of joy, but close to. I am a very tough sell when it comes to most collars. It took me forever to find a collar that I liked, and now that it's growing a bit worn out, I've been on the hunt for ages for something I liked. Finally, Sinvention's teardrop collar caught my eye. Made out of gorgeous, black finished leather, fitted with sturdy rivets and a heavy duty buckle with lock loop, this collar is ideal for discriminating pets, owners, tops and bottoms. This piece will pass all tests of durability and strength. While it could also work very nicely for a beginner, the lock mechanism and simple, sturdy composition appeals primarily to advanced BDSM players that look for brawn and longevity in their toys first. Which is not to say that it isn't nice to look at. While understated and rudimentary in its design, this collar has a subtle charm that grows on you the more you look at it and wear it.

One of the first things you'll notice about this collar is that it's surprisingly hefty. The teardrop loop that is meant to be hooked into a leash is quite a bit larger than it appears in the picture, measuring 1.5 inches from the top to the bottom and about 1 inch in diameter across the inside. Unlike a lot of other BDSM gear it has a really nice solid feel to it, and its weight lends a kind of safe, secure feeling to the wearer. The metal loop is a little more than a quarter of an inch in thickness at its widest point, so most leashes will hook easily in. The teardrop is affixed to a sturdy leather loop that allows some movement of the teardrop during leading, but keeps it from flopping about excessively.

The only aspect of the teardrop loop that I didn't like was the rivets that hooked it to the collar. They are wonderfully strong and after pulling on them far more than I ever realistically would during wear, they're still standing, so I do love that. However, the outward facing stud is engraved with a Christmas-y snowflake shape, which is surrounded by a multi-pointed star. It looks vaguely like a mixture of Celtic imagery and holiday gift wrapping. Overall, I thought it was kind of tacky and didn't fit the theme of the rest of the article, but it's almost imperceptible unless you examine it very closely.

This collar is also very accommodating for wearers of nearly any size. My measurements line up with those provided by Edenfantasys: about 19 inches from one end of the product to the other, and a little over a half an inch in diameter. Five carved notched studs the end of this piece giving almost 5 inches of leeway for pets and bottoms of all shapes and sizes. Personally, I have a little noodle neck and was afraid this would sag pitifully around my collar bones, but it actually fits me better than any my old collar did.

This product absolutely exceeded my expectations. Right out of the package, I thought it a bit stiff but after wearing for a short half-hour, I took it off and noticed it was already broken in quite nicely. For my Doc Marten wearing friends in the audience, perhaps you recall the first few months of breaking your boots in? Leather can sometimes be incredibly rigid and unforgiving, and can really take a long time before it begins to yield to the shape of your feet or, in this instance, neck. After only a couple of extended periods of wear this has already nice and scrunchy and comfy. My only concern with this is that the leather will degenerate more rapidly, but so far is seems to be of excellent quality.

I've also become enamored of locking mechanisms on restraints of all kinds, and as of now my go-to ankle and wrist cuffs have this feature. Sinvention's teardrop collar also has this great feature, although there is a catch. The inside diameter of the the hook for the lock is only a quarter of an inch across. This means no hulking Master Locks will work here, although I found a nice little diary-esque lock at Target that fits it very nicely. I have never really felt that a lock was necessary to prevent me or anyone else slipping out of a collar; but it creates a sense of complete submission and vulnerability, which is very intense but very pleasurable. Beginners may not be ready to give up the power to quickly loosen the reins, but experiences bottoms and pets will likely love this option.

Finally, I'm an ardent minimalist and proponent of function over flash and fashion. I think this is a magnificently collar is so sexy because it is so functional. Besides actually being practical, I love restraints that have that practical aesthetic. The teardrop collar is minimal and modest; no gigantic spikes or blinding pink sparkles. It says business, and doesn't detract from the purpose or the scene with excessive glitter or glamor.

Sinvention's teardrop collar is incredibly low-maintenance and very easy to care for. It can be spot-cleaned should you get any fluid or lube on it by wiping with a moist cloth and air-dried for 24-48 hours in a cool, dry place. Leather should not be left to dry in direct sunlight. You may want to coat the rivets of your toy in a little clear nail polish to create a thin, protective membrane that will help prevent tarnishing. Your collar can be stored in a jewelry box, a sock drawer, pretty much anywhere so long as it is not moist or extreme in temperature.