The bound and the beautiful

Leatherbeaten's Silk Sashay Cuffs were meant to be tied around either wrists or ankles during sexual activity. A luxurious BDSM product, these cuffs are beautiful and functional. Attaching the cuffs together using a carabiniere/ring will immobilize either the arms or the legs of the user.

This toy is for beginners or advanced users, although they are probably not strong enough for any really hard core BDSM practices (I'm not familiar with the strength necessary, but they aren't lockable and they aren't nearly as sturdy as other products on EF/the Leatherbeaten website). However even the most advanced BDSM partakers will likely find uses for these cuffs as they are absolutely stunning.

This product would also make a great present to couples considering entering the world of BDSM as they are non-threatening (and gorgeous). These cuffs could also be used to add a "BDSM" feel to play (ie you can tie them around your partner's wrists or ankles during sex) if either partner is uncomfortable with restraints. Likewise using these toys in this manor could potentially get one or both partners interested in exploring new territory since the foam padding is extra soft compared to leather cuffs.

Did I mention that these cuffs are beautiful? Because they are. There is a deep magenta and black flower motif throughout the cuff. On the front side, the petals and the center of the flower are magenta. The background, part of the stem, and inside of the flower are black. On the back side, the colors are reversed. This creates a very interesting effect when the cuffs are tied. Both sides are constructed exquisitely.

The cuffs are made of silk, but the silk is clearly very strong. I can pull on the ribbon pretty hard and it doesn't budge. I also rubbed the ribbon against itself pretty hard in the motion used to to start a campfire (Obviously that wasn't my intention), and the silk didn't fray at all. The edges of the ribbon are sewn with what looks like a hemming/back stitch to prevent fraying of the silk. The sewing is mostly perfect, except at the tips. This shouldn't be an issue though as the tips seem to be well protected.

Each cuff consists of a ribbons, a foam piece, and a D ring. The foam piece is to aid in fitting the cuff around the wrist/ankle. The underside of the foam is lined with fleece. The top is covered with the silk flowers. The boarder of the foam piece is a neoprene-esque material. The D ring is located in the center of the cuff. It is used for restraining the wearer of the cuffs. The ribbon also runs down the exact center of the cuff. It also holds the D ring on the fleece piece.

Be careful because the ribbon is only attached to the foam piece via two distinct (heavily reinforced) stitches. The foam piece is free for the most part. This makes tying the cuffs somewhat difficult without practice because it is necessary to place the foam piece around the wrists/ankles, hold the foam piece in place, then tie the ribbon around the foam piece. Once you get the hang of tying the restraints, it becomes easy, but it takes some practice. A user manual might have been helpful for giving tips on tying the product.

These cuffs performed very well, although I should warn that they do move while in use. Since they're cloth, pulling on the D ring will also pull the cuff away from the skin. Fortunately the cuff doesn't seem to stretch out with the pulling of the D ring.

The cuffs seem durable enough for most circumstances, but I'm sure they're not appropriate for any elaborate tricks since it is possible for the ribbon to become untied.

These cuffs are very comfortable for extended wear since you can tie them relatively tightly or loosely, depending on personal preferences. As a precaution I would recommend keeping a pair of scissors nearby just in case the cuffs need to be removed quickly. This might not be necessary depending on the style/tightness of the knot.

Regarding the strength of the cuffs, a taught bow should be enough to keep everything in place (again make sure to remember this little thing called circulation...) but don't assume that these cuffs will stay on until you've had some practice putting them on. Before I got the hang of tying the ribbon, these cuffs have detached themselves from my ankles.

Caring for these cuffs is extremely easy. I store mine in a ziploc away from sunlight. Theoretically the light shouldn't alter the appearance of the silk, but it is possible. Cleaning, or any, instructions are not given for this product, so I cannot officially recommend any suggestions since I haven't tried to clean the cuffs. I'm pretty sure that the fleece underside can be cleaned with a damp cloth, but I wouldn't get the silk wet as water tends to leave water spots on silk. However if you have to wipe the silk with water, the pattern could mask any potential markings left from cleaning.

Theoretically the straps should be (carefully) ironed to get rid of any wrinkles that will inevitably result from folding, however this step is not necessary for the proper functioning of the product.

The only thing I was disappointed with was the packaging of the cuffs. They came in a simple plastic re-closable bag with a cardboard piece that says "Leatherbeaten." On this is a girl using the cuffs. Its color palate is tasteful however it is neither informative nor useful. Although the bag could be used for storage of the cuffs, I would have appreciated a black pouch or something to compliment the luxurious feel of the product.

I want to devote this section to the sizing of the cuffs. Since there are no buckles on these cuffs, they will fit a wide variety of wrist sizes. I was initially concerned because I have very small wrists (circumference of 5.5" at the smallest point) so I didn't know if excess material would be an issue. Fortunately it wasn't since both ends of the foam piece can overlap without causing any discomfort. I tried tying this restraint to my calves to simulate tying the cuff to larger wrists, and it was still extremely comfortable.

Tying these cuffs is pretty difficult without practice. My first 10 bows looked absolutely terrible. I'm still not very good at making perfect knots, but I'm definitely trying. I developed a way to properly tie these cuffs around my wrists without any help, but it is way too complicated to describe on this review. It is possible to tie these restraints yourself, but be prepared for a little frustration.

Again, make sure to tie the cuffs loose enough to ensure proper circulation throughout the extremities. As a precaution, many BDSM users recommend keeping a scissors nearby while playing with ribbon to cut the restraints in emergencies.

This review was very interesting for me to write because I have no experience with BDSM. And I don't know what cuffs are "supposed to" feel like. Until I started reviewing, I also had absolutely no interest in being restrained. I had been admiring these cuffs for some time now, and eventually I decided that these cuffs were a great way to ease myself into the idea of bondage. I am excited for the time when I am ready to use these with a partner that I completely trust.

Since I don't have a partner, I had a few reservations about reviewing this product. After all, to truly test these cuffs with their exact usage in mind, I'd have to bind my wrists together, which could be problematic. However I did tie these cuffs to my ankles and I pulled on the D rings extremely hard and the cuffs held strong (they did slide around a bit, it took a little getting used to). I also tied the two D rings (one from each cuff) together, and I was able to successfully restrain my ankles. So I have no hesitation recommending these for use during sex.

So do I actually use these cuffs? All the time! I regularly tie them around my ankles when I'm alone because they add sensuality to my everyday activities. I also use them when I'm masturbating to create the illusion of BDSM activity. Sometimes I just like a change. Occasionally I bind my ankles while I'm reading a book or while I'm at my computer, just to see what it's like/get used to the idea of restraint. These cuffs have made me even more comfortable with my sexuality.

In summary, there are many reasons for buying/using cuffs. I use these cuffs to "get used to" the idea of rougher play. Some day I am sure that I will use them during sex. These cuffs make me feel beautiful, and very very special. These cuffs were my first, and probably not my last, venture into expanding into this new world of bondage.