Ropes

How each rope feels on the skin

Cotton is the gentle one. It feels warm and slightly fuzzy, and knots bite into it so they stay where you put them. The KINK cotton rope gets softer with every wash, which makes it a good first rope for tying wrists or ankles. The downside is a little stretch. Under steady pull a cotton tie can tighten, so check it now and then.

Jute behaves quite differently. Natural jute is light and grippy, a bit scratchy when new, and it carries a faint earthy smell that many rope fans love. Because the fibres catch on each other, a few wraps hold firmly and untie cleanly. This is the rope traditionally used for shibari. It cannot go in the washing machine, so spot-clean it and let it air-dry.

Smooth synthetic rope glides quickly over the body, and many people enjoy that sliding sensation as much as the tie itself. It is easy to wash and keeps its colour, which is why the DARKNESS Japanese ropes come in red and purple as well as black. Slippery rope needs an extra locking knot, though, or a tie can loosen as you move.

Which length you will actually use

5 metres is enough for a single wrist or ankle tie and is easy to handle while you are still learning knots. 10 metres is the everyday length for tying both wrists, a simple harness or attaching someone to a bed frame. 20 metres suits larger body ties, or you can cut it into shorter pieces and seal the ends.

Our tip: two 10 metre ropes are often more practical than one very long one. Long rope tangles easily, and pulling metres of it through every loop slows the mood down.

Before you tie the first knot

Rope looks simple, yet it presses on nerves and blood vessels more directly than cuffs do. Keep ties flat and wide rather than thin and tight, never put rope around the neck, and check hands and feet regularly. Cold fingers, a blue tinge, numbness or tingling mean the rope comes off straight away. Keep safety scissors within reach and agree on a clear safe word beforehand, as the Burnett Foundation recommends.

Rope pairs well with other restraints. A blindfold sharpens every touch of the fibre, and a collar gives the rope an anchor point away from the throat. If you add a gag, swap the spoken safe word for a hand signal, such as dropping an object. More ideas are waiting in our full bondage range at kinkylove.