Review: Spartacus Adjustable Broad Tip Clamps

I have quite a number of "beginner's" BDSM toys to review - a few days ago I reviewed a Wartenberg Wheel, and today I'm reviewing a pair of Spartacus Adjustable Broad Tip Clamps, also from Sextoy.com.

First, I guess a quick intro to nipple clamp types is in order: the three most common types I've seen so far are tweezer clamps, alligator clamps (and variations thereof), and clover clamps. These clamps are a type of alligator clamp. Tweezer and alligator clamps are more suitable for beginners, as adjustable versions are produced as well. Clover clamps are intense; they're heavier, are much more painful, and yanking on the connecting chain actually tightens them.

Tweezer clamps can be adjusted by sliding a metal piece up or down the tweezer part. I've never used tweezer clamps, but I expect them to be more difficult to adjust, because I imagine the metal piece might slide up or down if the clamps were jostled, or if you were slightly on the clumsy side. These broad tip clamps, as well as other alligator clamp models, are adjusted by a screw, which seems much easier to me, and once you adjust them, they stay in place.

Another difference is that tweezer clamps are narrower, thus don't clamp onto much flesh. I also own a pair of "eagle clamps" that are very similar to alligator clamps, except that the clamp area is pointed, not broad and flat. A narrower clamp means that the pressure is concentrated on a smaller area, so is probably slightly more intense. However, broader tips clamp onto more flesh, making them easier to use on tiny man-nipples. You can just pinch a big area of flesh - the aureole as well as the nipple - so it will stay on easier. One of the difficulties I had trying to use my eagle clamps on the Optimist was just getting them to stay on.

These clamps are also linked by a chain, which can be fun to yank on and lead your partner around with. Some clamps have vibrating bullets, or pretty colored beads, but I liked having the option to yank someone around by the nipples.

Basically, I picked these clamps as one of my first pairs because they seemed easier to use and more versatile than other types.

Pointed v.s. broad tips

So far, I've only used the clamps on myself. The "easy to use" part was only half true: the tips of the clamps are coated in black rubber, which probably prevents hard metal poking into your nipple. However, the coating coupled with the wideness of the clamps makes the clamps fall off easier when the chain is yanked, or if I have sweat on my skin. The adjustment screws were kind of long - a bit too long, actually, since you can't turn them all the way and open the clamps to that extent. The clamps just don't open that wide. The screws also aren't fixed in place, they have been slid through a hole in the clamp. I left these clamps loose (i.e. not in a storage baggie) in my toy drawer for a while, and one of the screws got detached and lost. Annoying. So now I store them in the plastic clamshell they came in.

Also, to adjust the clamps, you need to pinch the clamps open, and then turn the screw to the desired tension. If you don't hold the clamps open while adjusting them, the screw gets stuck. With my eagle clamps, I just have to turn the screw to adjust them. A moot point, perhaps, but I think it says something about Spartacus' design.

After being disappointed by the shoddy quality of one of their crops, I was suspicious of trying out another Spartacus product. But apparently, they make halfway decent clamps.

Specs:
- Type: Nipple clamp
- Clamp width: 0.4"
- Chain length: 12"
- Price @ sextoy.com: $11.70 

Further reading:
- Nipple Clamps 101
- How to Play with Nipple Clamps

Three out of five hearts.

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Review: Kinklab Wartenberg Pinwheel

The Kinklab Wartenberg Pinwheel from SexToy.com is a classic BDSM toy. It may look a little bit like a pizza-cutter (actually that's what J called it when he first saw it), but Wartenberg wheels were originally used to test neurological responses. It fell into disuse because of hygiene issues. Its medical-related background and appearance is part of its appeal to me; as is the lovely sensations it produces. Running it lightly over the skin results in a tickling or slight pricking sensation; if you exert heavy enough pressure, you can break the skin.

I tried it out with J. I got naked, and he gently ran the sharp tips over my back and arms, while I squirmed and giggled. Being naked while he was clothed, and having the steel points coasting all over me, was quite an enjoyable sensory experience. It's hard to describe. It felt like tickling, but very intense tickling concentrated on a very small area of skin. Then he moved on to my breasts and nipples, which definitely started to turn me on.

I teasingly ran the wheel over his arms a few times. He thought it was interesting; probably would get a bit overwhelming after a while, which was true for me. After about 15-20 minutes of tickling and poking, I had had enough.

I attempted some research on how to clean the wheel if you break a person's skin and then want to use it on someone else. Obviously, that can be dangerous since you're getting blood on the implement. Google yielded no results; I got the most responses from Twitter:

- soak it in a 10% bleach solution for 1-2 minutes

- boil it

- wipe it down with "medical wipes"

- sterilize it in an autoclave (can be found in tattoo parlors and used for a nominal fee); if any other method is used, wait at least 21 days before using on someone else

The best response I found was actually a comment by Mina made on Panthera Pardus' review of the same product:

I would sterilize it the same way doctors sterilize a lot of things. Go to the drug/grocery store and get yourself a bottle of betadine (or any brand of povidone iodine) It’s a general antibacterial sterilizer most commonly used to prep people for surgery. Put a little in a container and add water. You’ll want it to be a “tea” color. Put the wheel inside and let it soak for at least 10 min. The dry.  Just note that the povidone iodine will eventually stain the container after continual use. Make sure to rinse your hands after using it, but if you are trying to be completely sterile I would suggest wearing gloves while handling the wheel during the sterilizing process or washing your hands with the povidone iodine as well. May I also suggest using hot water.

I've yet to determine if this wheel is made of surgical-grade, non-porous steel, which is the only safe material that would be share-able. Couldn't find any information on Kinklab's website.

The wheel also comes with a nice leather sheath that snaps shut.

I really don't have much to say about this product; it either works for you or it doesn't, and I don't see much opportunity, or NEED, for variation of any sort on its basic shape and appearance.

I really like Wartenberg Pinwheels. I'm glad that I own one.

Specs:
- Type: BDSM/Medical fetish toy
- Length: 7"
- Material: Steel
- Price @ Sextoy.com: $14.85

Four out of five hearts!

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