In BDSM and kink, rope is an incredibly versatile tool. Rope can be used in an unlimited number of ways- anything from restricting a partner (or yourself!), to holding something in place, to suspending someone (or yourself!) into the air! But, where do you start? Have no fear, RKS is here! RKS will be starting an online page of tutorials! These can be your stepping stones to learning bigger and better things. If you like what you see, come join us for our educational rope events! We hold one Rope Bite and one Rope Lab per month!
Rope Safety
Like anything in BDSM, there are risks to playing with rope. However, you can mitigate those risks and dangers by knowing a few key points.
The Number One Danger in Rope is Nerve Damage
Though there is a strong misconception that a lot of the danger in rope comes from loss of circulation, this is a very small risk compared to the dangers of nerve damage. The body can withstand loss of circulation for a good number of hours before it becomes dangerous. Nerve damage, on the other hand, happens much more quickly and is often more severe. The best way to avoid this is knowing your body- how certain things feel and the way anatomy works. It is also crucial that if you’re playing with a partner you are communicating how things feel. Also be aware that doing the same tie frequently in the exact some place or position can increase the chance of nerve damage occurring.
Always Have Safety Sheers on Hand
The ability to be able to cut away rope in case of an emergency, especially if the rope bottom is in pain, danger, or panic is essential to incorporating rope into play. Even if you never have to use them, we always recommend having them available. It’s also a good idea to consider what tool to get that will efficiently cut the rope without cutting the person the rope is on
Know Your Rope
There are plenty of different options one can use for rope bondage. From synthetic to natural fibers, and all of the sub-types withing those categories, a rigger has plenty of choices. What type of rope someone uses is largely based on preference. But, regardless of what kind you’re using, it’s important to know your rope. The rating and working load of rope is important for knowing if it is able to be used for suspensions. For example, one could use nylon rope without issue, but coconut rope would not withstand the weight of suspension.
Start Out Slow
So, you want to try suspension? Great! There are steps you should take before making that leap. It’s important to learn basic knots, ties, and skills before jumping into the more advanced realm of suspension.
Online Resources Are Not the End-All-Be-All
While online resources and tutorials (like this one!) are informational and a great guide, they will never contain all of the information aspiring riggers and rope bunnies should know. We highly recommend seeking out in person interactions with experienced teachers of rope, in addition to online guides, to ensure you are doing things in the safest way possible.
Rope Vocabulary
Now that you have some background knowledge and rope safety, you’re ready to start learning some basic knots and ties! But, wait… What are all those fancy terms? As you continue to tie, using and acknowledging these terms will become second nature. Until then, feel free to use this handy-dandy cheat sheet!
Tail/Working Ends- these are the loose ends of a length of rope
Bight- Anywhere where you create a fold or turn in the rope. Often times, this will be the center of the length of rope
Capsized- This is a term used for a knot has deformed into a different structure, usually compromising the strength and integrity of the knot.
Elbow- An elbow refers to any two crossing of rope close to one another
Hitch- A hitch is any knot that attached rope to another object
Jam- A jam or jamming knot is a knot or tie that becomes very difficult to untie after use
Splice- Slicing is a process of untwisting and reweaving the fibers of rope to join two different pieces of rope into one
Lay- This refers to the direction that the strands of the rope twist
Stopper Knot- A knot placed at the end of a rope to prevent fraying
Bend- Any knot used to join two lengths of rope together
Loop- A circle formed by passing the working end over itself
Stay tuned for more rope information and tie tutorials!
Dama Cherepaha 