Like Sucking on a Binky

The Beginner Ball Gag is not only meant for beginners, but can be used by people that are experienced with mouth gags as well. The gag is shaped almost like a baby binky. It's easy to keep in the mouth for those not used to gags and hard to push out to keep from any aggravations during a scene that's new to either partner. Since it closes by a velcro closure in the back, it's easy to take off of the wearer if any complications ensue.

Tantus's Beginner Ball Gag comes in a variety of color combinations to fit your taste. I personally got the white/pink combination, where the gag itself is a pearly white silicone (medical grade, mind you) and the leather strap is a sweet, light pink. It's very non-intimidating because of the colors and design, so it's a great starting gag for those interested in experimenting with mouth-stuffers.

The gag is designed like a plug or binky, whichever term you prefer. It has a small base that sits over the mouth, and a little round ball with a neck that sits in the wearer's mouth. Because of its design, it is difficult to push out—it sits too far in the back of the mouth for that, unless the straps are not tightened enough. The gag is about 2" in length and the diameter of the ball is 1 1/2".

This gag is a lot different from a regular ball gag because the mouth does not close around the ball itself but rather around the neck attached to the ball, making it easier for the wearer to hold it in and more comfortable. Most mouths should be covered by the base of the gag, but some will not be, as it's a medium-sized base.

It's made of a medical grade silicone that's firm, but can still be squished, so it should not be a trouble with possibly biting through the material if the wearer is to become nervous and accidentally chomp down on it. The silicone does have Tantus's logo on the inside of the base, which can be felt on the lips; it is not, however, irritating in any way.

The straps are pink leather that is very comfortable on the cheeks. It's not scratchy in any way, though the inside has a suede finish. The straps can fit heads sized from 15" around to about 24 1/2" and between because it is velcro.

The entire gag comes apart where there is a snap on each leather strap that loops through the holes on the gag. It is a bit hard to get the leather through the holes, simply because they are only tiny slits. But I am glad that it closes by snaps, because it the snaps keep the gag together no matter what.

Since it is a binky gag (or plug gag, as it's generally called), any sound that the wearer might make is muffled a great amount. Though any screams that the wearer might make in the back of their throat might be heard, it's very hard to be any louder than a low noise or mumble. No discernible words can be made, unless you're able to understand "mmmff mf mff mff mmmf" language. Personally, I can't.

The gag is very comfortable to wear and the velcro keeps the gag in the wearer's mouth at all times. Sure, they can struggle around and perhaps even get it off, but it will be very difficult. I will not say that this gag can hold up to a lot of heavy thrashing and struggling—it can, however, hold up to a good amount of use and should last for a very long time.

Since the gag itself is made of Tantus's medical grade silicone, you can detach it from the leather straps to put it into a boiling pot for about three to five minutes, wipe it off with a 10% bleach solution, or just regularly wash it with soap and water. You will want to be careful of what soaps you use simply because of the fact that it will be going into a person's mouth—having the gag in their mouth is punishment, don't need to wash their mouth out with soap too!

The straps, because they are leather, can be wiped down with a damp towel and then dried thoroughly for cleaning. They can also be cleaned with a leather cleaning solution.

All parts of the gag can be stored in a closet, dresser, or somewhere out of the light. Keeping the silicone and leather apart is a good idea—perhaps even keeping the gag in a bag, and laying the straps down beside it. I keep mine stored together in a drawer, all ready to go, so that I can take it out whenever needed without having to fumble with putting the pieces together.

The Beginner Ball Gag comes in a plastic clamshell case with a paper insert. The insert gives a bit of product care information, the three ways to take care of and clean silicone, as well as some advice on how to take care of the leather bands (they say to not put them in water and to instead use a leather spot cleaner). The leather straps come folded together with a rubber band around them and the gag itself is separate. I recycled the packaging, simply because it was too bulky for my taste.

I do wish that Tantus would make a style with a buckle closure instead of velcro, because I simply love this gag. Most plug/binky gags are leather and it's very hard to find any that are made of the soft, squishy silicone that Tantus's Beginner Ball Gag is made of.