Spiked Chain Flogger with Blindfold Review: Pain, Style, and Serious Flaws

Design

Unique Looking

I have been interested in this chain flogger since I first saw it at a local dungeon a year ago. I have seen it on multiple sites via Etsy, Adam&Eve, and local vendors. The availability on online sites changes and sometimes it takes a bit to search for it. The flogger in total is about 23in (58.42cm). Something to keep in mind is that the chains get tangled pretty easily, so it is important to make sure they are straightened out when storing it. The entire flogger is waterproof and phthalates free. The flogger metal is made from iron and pendants, the bulbus parts are silicone and the middle section of the handle is acrylic. The blindfold it comes with has an outer layer of what seems to be thin pleather and what feels to be nylon. Although, I could be wrong, and either way it is thin and not a well-made blindfold.

Quality

Poor; Fell Apart Within Minutes

The flogger chain is connected by chain links, similar to how jewelry is connected. During the "throwing" of the flogger, the chain links can warp and disconnect from each other. Thankfully, this is an easy fix and using pliers can be reattached in the same way one creates jewelry. So far, I have only had two chains fall off and the rest have stayed intact nicely. The silicone balls are also not solidly attached to the acrylic center and will spin around if moved around by hand.

Experience

A Little Awkward to Hold

While using the flogger on someone else, I found the handle to be a little awkward. The bulbus end keeps my hand in a very specific position and can be a little awkward otherwise. The weight of the flogger is balanced more on the ends, and this makes throwing the tassels easier. I enjoyed being able to let the weight of the chains guide my aim. It is easier to throw the flogger in the standard figure eight pattern, but it is also useful for sensory play. I also discovered that the chain is conductive and can be used for electro play. I do have to change my grip for this by holding onto the end of the silicone ball, so my hand touches the metal on the end. I only use this method with proper electro-play equipment, such as a body contact cable, and would not recommend experimenting without prior experience and safety knowledge. It will not work otherwise without directly connecting the electricity to the chain.

The blindfold is made from thin fabric, so it does not provide a full covering effect. One can still see out of the bottom, around the nose area, in a small gap looking downwards. One thing that I did enjoy about the blindfold is the fact that it has two elastic bands instead of one. I felt that the blindfold was more secure that way and stayed on better through movement. As a side note, the elastic is a basic one size fits all and does not allow for extra length.

Performance

Painful and Sensual

One of the things I really like about the flogger is the versatility of sensory and impact play. For sensory play, the flogger gives a similar feel as a chainmail flogger would, but the spikes create more texture. The way the spikes fall do not feel pointy but instead more light touches. The flogger as an impact toy is slightly painful. The spikes land with a sharp, stinging sensation. I would not recommend it as an impact toy for those who do not like pain. As mentioned before, this toy is not very sturdy so the top should not throw very hard, or the chains may fall off.

Materials and care

Fairly Easy to Clean

The toy is waterproof and fairly easy to clean. My recommendation is to use a damp cloth of water and wipe it down, chain and all. It can be tedious wiping down each chain, but it does make sure the toy is well taken care of. The silicone balls are hard to keep clean as they collect dust and hairs regularly. I have to wipe those down the most just like any other silicone.

Packaging

A Lot of Plastic

The packaging has a lot of plastic and has a plastic frame that takes up lots of space. The flogger and blindfold are also wrap in their own plastic sleeve. I find this to be wasteful and impractical, even if the box is recyclable. The blindfold is also hidden underneath the plastic shell, and I didn't find it until it fell out while holding the package.

Price

Decent but not for the quality

The quality of this toy is not great. It is priced as a moderately nice toy, and I feel that the novelty of it raises the price. I do not find the toy to be worth the price (over $40 USD) that some websites sell it for.