Fresh feather crop by PHS International - review by Mirachaya

Originally this toy was purchased on a whim for petplay more than as any serious type of flogging implement. It looks like a cat toy, and this kitty (referring to self) loves to play! Once it arrived it proved itself to be full of unexpected surprises. The toy just had a simple piece of cardboard over the feathers labeling it as the fresh feather crop. Easily disposed of package gone, it looked discreet enough to be in a house with pets.

Handling the toy, I noted the weighty handle. Disappointed, I also noticed it didn't come with a loop on the end like most flogging toys, so it can't be hung up. The toy is a considerable 28" and if you don't have a cat you will need to find somewhere to hide it. The feathers are a bright blue and soft pink and are of medium softness similar to the feathers found in down pillows. Wrapping them together and concealed amongst their bases is a tight coil of wire and glue. This adds an extra level of sensation as I will discuss in detail below. The shaft is made of some variety of woven wire and is quite sturdy.

Within a few swings my boyfriend and I discovered the delights of this toy. Whippy and strong it can provide quite the snap. The wire near the end leaves a painful bite without risk of cuts. (It can leave welts however.) Then tickling with the feathers over the skin leaves the victim relaxed, perhaps too relaxed making the next painful blow unexpected and even more sadistic. The crop can also be turned over and the weighted handle used like a cane, the blows falling with an impressive thud.

Care is simple enough with a damp cloth sufficing to wipe down the feathers, shaft and handle. Feathers will break off during play though. We have lost a small handful after much play and the toy still has yet to look ragged.

We got this toy expecting to use it only for a prop for an occasional pet play scene and it ended up becoming so much more. This is now a regular implement of our BDSM sessions. I foresee the feather crop remaining near the top of the toy box for a long time.

I don't know why this was discontinued but should be brought back. It is still one of our favorite impact toys and can provide a massive range of sensations for the bottom. A few feathers have broken off as time has passed, but it is still full enough on the head of the crop. It does look like it will need to be replaced someday though.