Aslan ball gag - mouth gag discontinued by ASLAN Leather - review by Lady of the Lab

Ball gags have always been a 'soft limit'* for me, but I decided to test this limit with a trusted partner. And I'm glad I did. Before the Aslan silicone ball gag, I had never tried any sort of gag before, so I can't speak from personal experience about other types of gags (bit, wiffle ball, etc.). Unlike a wiffle-style ball gag that has holes on it that allows for constant airflow, this solid ball gag will restrict airflow through the mouth and may cause gagging.

I won't dissuade inexperienced users from this product, but I will caution that I labeled this ball gag as heavy restraint because it can cause the jaw to ache and restricts airflow. I have a few points regarding safety, starting with agreeing on a non-verbal cue with your partner for removing the gag immediately. Some suggestions include: 'tapping out', using either your hand or foot to tap your partner or a surface; holding an object, and then dropping it; or nodding/grunting a certain number of times.

Secondly, because the leather is porous it can trap oral fluids. I would highly suggest sharing this ball gag only with partners who you are fluid bonded to. By being fluid bonded, you consent to sharing bodily fluids ("The Importance Of Fluid Bonding").

Lastly, if you like having a clean mouth before using the gag, avoid using floss and/or brushing your teeth right before use because doing so may tear the lining of your mouth, which might make you more susceptible to viruses. However, mouthwash is fine ("Oral Sex", University of Georgia).

*"A limit which is not necessarily set in stone. It may be flexible, may be pushed or may change over time and/or with experience or knowledge of that type of play" ("BDSM: The difference between soft and hard limits"). Additionally, this definition implies informed consent.

The design of the ball-gag stands out because of its 'quick release', high quality leather, and adjustable sizing.

The 'quick release' feature involves either of the two snap closures that can be undone in the middle leather piece if you need to take off the ball in a snap, rather than having to unbuckle the ball gag in the back. Additionally, this feature can also be used for switching gags. Aslan Leather is known for their authentic 'buttery soft' leather, and this ball gag is no exception. Something to note: the leather piece that holds the ball does have a seam on the inside that I believe allows the leather to be folded which helps for putting the ball back on that leather piece. Currently on EdenFantasys you have the choice between the black leather/black gag, or the slightly more expensive white leather/pink gag.

As you may notice, there is a manufacturer's tag on the inside of the ball gag, but I didn't really feel it during use. The metal hardware is nickle plated and has shown no signs of tarnishing. Finally, the ball ball has a range of holes for buckling in. Each of the 8 holes is spaced approximately 0.75" apart, with the fit ranging from 15" to 21" in circumference.



I love that the ball is non-porous silicone because it is safer and tastes better than rubber. I can bite down on the ball and there is no damage. I would agree with other reviewers that this ball is large (5.5" in circumference), especially if you have never tried a ball gag before. To give some perspective, the ball is as thick as the O2 Revolution. Another perspective is demonstrated in the picture on the right showing how the ball compares to my hand (my ring size is ~5.5).

Crafted by Aslan Leather in Canada, this ball gag comes with a lifetime warranty: "Your ASLAN item is guaranteed for LIFE! If your item breaks during normal wear or is defective. Please contact us and we will repair or replace the item".

The first time I used this ball gag, I was surprised by how comfortable it was. It did take some getting used to, particularly since I have a small mouth (so my dentist says) and the drooling. Yes, excessive drooling almost certainly will happen with this type of restraining device. To avoid the drooling becoming uncomfortable, I sit or stand while wearing the ball gag rather than lying on my back.

The straps around the mouth will start to chafe during a long session, typically longer than 20 minutes not because of the material itself, but because I usually close my mouth tighter as time goes on.

A few unintended benefits of using this ball gag are becoming more aware when my jaw is tense, as well as helping me focus during a scene.

The great thing about the ball being silicone is that you can disinfect it by boiling it for 3 minutes or throwing it into the top rack of your dishwasher. However, this does require removing it from the gag (what I consider to be 'the easy part'). Putting it back on is another matter that will require some patience and time.

I contacted Aslan Leather asking for a technique/trick for putting the ball back on. I was suggested to "...take the snap end hold it firmly place in hole and twist while pushing until it reaches through, then use a blunt needle nose plier to pull it completely thorough". Until I consider investing in the plier, I've been tying dental floss around one of the ends of the middle leather piece and pulling it through.

At this point you may be asking "But is it really worth taking the ball off after each use?" Yes, because if you leave it on there can still be fluid on the inside of the ball soaking into the leather (eww).

Speaking of the leather, you'll want to give it some TLC to keep it looking good and feeling soft. It's best to clean the leather right away to keep any fluids from remaining after it dries. I usually wipe the leather down with a damp towel with a little bit of gentle unscented soap, then pat it completely dry. When I want to do a more through cleaning followed by conditioning the leather, I use Lexol products suggested by Aslan Leather when I previously owned the Minx harness. Once it's raring to go again, I store it on a shelf in the bedroom for next time.

Regarding the nickle plated hardware, Aslan Leather suggests using clear nail polish to prevent tarnishing (something that I haven't gotten around to doing yet). Because I consider the Aslan silicone ball gag to be high maintenance, I only use it for special scenes rather than as a daily pleasure. I'm not saying that it can't be a daily pleasure if you commit to the cleaning process through and through, but for me it's a hassle. Maybe one day cleaning leather will be fun...

The ball gag arrived in a thin, plastic, resealable bag. I recycled it right away because I knew I would not be using it for long term storage. Aslan Leather does include a tag that describes how to take care of its leather products. For traveling, I would use a Ziploc bag because it's more durable than the original bag.

If I were to present this as a gift, I would place the packaged ball gag in a small gift bag with tissue paper.

I usually include more similar products to compare to; however in the case of this product, I think it's leaps and bounds above its competitors' products because of the quality and the lifetime warranty. Although the Aslan Leather vegan silicone ball gag 2 has been discontinued on EF, I decided to include it at the bottom because it does have reviews if you want to compare the two.

I didn't mind that this ball gag isn't lockable because that can be remedied by restraining the hands using handcuffs or bondage (with your partner's consent). I was satisfied with this Aslan Leather product because their customer service was prompt in answering my questions, as well as the consistent performance of the ball gag. My experience has been very positive, even though I'm not a fan of the cleaning routine of leather.