Knife Play in BDSM consists of using a knife or blade (which includes, among others, scalpels, daggers, swords,…).
Those knives can be blunt and specially designed for safety, or razor sharp.
The aim is to share an intense moment, between gentleness, pain and fear. And always a great deal of trust.
Different knife play techniques
Knife Play is a truly versatile practice, ranging from very gentle strokes to cutting. Here’s an overview of the various classic techniques.
- Removing wax: After Wax Play, especially with candles, you can use a knife (usually blunt, or wooden) to scrape the wax off the skin. This technique is very useful for continuing the session, and removing candle drips, while associating interesting sensations of caress, cold or even fear.
- Playing with hot and cold: The cold blade of the knives allows you to play with temperatures, and give different sensations. For even more sensations, place them in the fridge before use.
- Play on fear: Knives are often very impressive. As soon as they’re out of your bag, they’re sure to have an effect on the other person’s mind. Dummy blades are generally used in this case, to make it look as if the domme is gonna cut you when blindfolded.
- Scratching: Using just the tip of the knife, on the non-cutting side, you can make small scratches, or even write on the skin. Usually with knives that are at least a little sharp. In this case, you’ll need to take care to ensure the safety of your surroundings and the bottom.
- Cutting: You can inflict small cuts on your partner with sharp, generally thin, light knives or scalpels. This practice requires prior disinfection of the skin and your instruments. Knowledge of the skin is recommended for this practice, as well as knowledge of your partner and notions of first aid.
Trust and Consent
Trust and mutual consent are essential elements in any BDSM practice, and Knife Play is no exception.
Before embarking on this practice, it’s vital to establish open and honest communication with your partner, discussing boundaries, expectations and safeword/safegest.
Some people may have triggers related to knives, cuts or blood. This is something you need to take into account when establishing the framework for your practice. Knowing that Knife Play allows a large number of different approaches, more or less soft or intense.
Each participant must feel safe and comfortable in expressing his or her desires and limits, and in respecting consent.
Knife Play BDSM requires special attention to safety. Here are a few precautions to bear in mind:
- Use of appropriate knives: When starting out, prefer knives specially designed for safety. These blunt knives minimize the risk of injury. Subsequently, test the blades that suit you best, and that fit comfortably in your hand.
- Preparation and practice: Familiarize yourself with knife handling before using it on your partner. Don’t hesitate to test on yourself
- Areas of the body: When starting out with sharp blades, avoid sensitive or vulnerable areas of the body, such as hands, wrists, feet, face and neck, concentrating on areas where the skin is thicker.
- Controlled cuts: Be aware of the technique you want to practice, whether you want to instill fear and sensation of vulnerability, without causing injury, or go for something more incisive. In all cases, avoid deep cuts over large areas, or cuts that could sever veins or arteries.
- Ongoing communication: Make sure you maintain a dialogue with your partner throughout the session. Check regularly on your partner’s physical and psychological state, and on his or her consent. Be ready to stop immediately if necessary.
- Keep an eye out for reactions: If your partner shows no signs of reactivity, and this is not his or her habit (it could be a traumatic reaction or a trigger release), seems to be at risk of syncope (whitening skin, sweating or evocation of a sensation of heat, spinning head, etc.), has sharp or defensive reactions (which could cause cuts) or if there is an abnormal or unexpected reaction, stop the session and take the time to take stock.
- Be aware of the environment: Your practice should take place in a place where you and your partner are not likely to be jostled, to avoid any incidents.
Blades, before, during and after, should be placed where neither you nor your partner are likely to touch them unintentionally. Prefer hard, flat surfaces. - Always carry your first-aid kit: at least a skin disinfectant, hydro-alcoholic gel to disinfect your hands, and compresses. You can also bring bandages and steri-strips for shallow cuts.
