Master suspension cuffs - wrist cuffs by ASLAN Leather - review by Sir

It is no secret that ASLAN Leather is one of my favorite leather gear-making companies. Every piece is made with high quality leather, stitched to perfection, and created for comfort even in the most compromising of positions. Their Master Suspension cuffs are no exception. They can be worn for extended periods without feeling fatigued or getting uncomfortable. They are made out of buttery soft leather. They are padded to keep the wrists safe. There is little more that could be asked for in a set of suspension cuffs.

First, let's start with the construction of the cuffs and what qualifies them as "suspension" cuffs. As can be seen in the pictures, the cuffs are not regular cuffs; they have a strap of leather hanging from the end of the cuff and a d-ring which is riveted to the strap. This thick piece of leather is placed for the wearer to hold onto if they so choose. The rest of the cuff is a pretty standard design. Simple, padded with enough padding to be comfortable, and finished with locking buckles. The locking feature may or may not be utilized; this is entirely up to the users of the cuffs. Inside one of the cuffs is a tag with ASLAN's logo.

As many have said before, when these came in, they were stiff. Incredibly stiff. The leather itself was soft and smooth on the surface, but when trying to move or manipulate the cuffs, they were firm and hard to adjust. Conditioning the leather with a leather conditioner (Huberd's is what we use, but some use Pecard's, Chelsea leather food, etc.) makes it soften right up, and over time and through use, the leather will become more malleable. However, it is better that the leather is a bit firm because of the use of these cuffs. They are not meant to be soft, sweet restraints. Their name has the implication of being suspension cuffs, and as such, they need to be able to hold the wearer's weight.

ASLAN's Master Suspension cuffs are sized with a standard sizing, however, individuals with wider wrists may have trouble getting them on at first due to the stiff nature of the leather. This is definitely a two-person job. Their construction also does not allow them to be used comfortably as ankle restraints (not for suspension, anyway). These really are cuffs only made to be used on the wrists.

That being said, I do not recommend stringing someone up by their wrists. It is asking for a bad time if you are inexperienced. Keep away from that. But by suspension, they instead mean that the cuffs will hold the weight of a person standing. What I've done is had my girl's wrists suspended above her head to the suspension stand during a scene. The straps on the cuffs allow her to hold on without collapsing under her weight, and even if she lifts her feet, she is still safely suspended by the cuffs.

The cuffs come together in a plastic Ziploc baggie. It is a thicker plastic that can be used for storage, but I personally would not put my leather gear in plastic (it is better to let leather air out). There is a tag on the cuffs that has ASLAN's logo, but not very much information beyond that. Cuffs, in general, are pretty self-explanatory, but it would be nice if they included a bit of care information for those less experienced with leather care.

I store my cuffs hung up, and every now and then (if they have not been used) make sure to take them out for some leather care (saddle soap and conditioner). When they are used more frequently, more care will need to be taken. Do not store them in a damp place and make sure to keep them out of direct sunlight for extended periods of time.

So the verdict of these cuffs, if it wasn't noticeable, is that they are absolutely wonderful. I love them. I don't use them frequently enough (maybe we'll use them more soon?), but I'm glad that I made the investment. It was well worth it. ASLAN Leather is an excellent company who backs their products with a lifetime guarantee. There is no reason to not make the investment.