A crop and a tassel is a staple kinky tool, and our new Kink Kit that we created with Abbie Chatfield has a crop/tassel combo: a crop on one end, and a tassel on the other! We designed it to be a luxurious, fun, and versatile piece of equipment that will add a lot to your collection of toys.
It can be used for teasing or for impact play, and it can create some seriously sexy sensations that will really amp up your play.
If you’ve never used a crop or a tassel before—or if you just want some pointers on how to use ours—read on, because we’ll tell you everything you need to know.
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Why a crop/tassel?
Our crop/tassel combo is perfect for people who enjoy experimenting with sensations like teasing or tickling; or impact play, like spanking or hitting. Impact and sensation play can add a real sense of excitement and anticipation to intimacy! Scientists have actually found that pleasure and pain activate the same part of the brain, and combining the two sensations during sex can take pleasure to the next level.
A note on consent
Consent is a non-negotiable for all forms of sex, and that includes using the crop/tassel. You should never, ever try to ‘surprise’ someone by hitting them or spanking during sex, or by using the crop/tassel on them. This could be deeply upsetting for a partner. Sex without consent is sexual assault.
Sit down with your partner before to talk about how, when, and why you’d like to use it. Swap ideas and suggestions, and only do what you’re both comfortable with. When engaging in impact play such as spanking or hitting, start slow and soft and build up to firmer hits as you go along—it’s always better to have your partner saying, “Hey, could you spank me a bit harder next time?” than, “Ouch, that was way too hard”. Also ask where and how they would like to be spanked and if there are any areas they do or don’t want marks. Some people bruise more easily than others, and although some might find it a turn on to see marks on their body, and it is be important to check whether there are any parts of their body they want to steer clear from.
Remember that consent should be an ongoing discussion, so when using the crop/tassel keep the lines of communication open with your partner. Ask them regularly how they’re feeling, whether they’re enjoying what you’re doing, and if they want to stop.
Where to start
If you’ve never used a crop or tassel before, here are some good starting points:
- Hold the tassel over your or your partner’s skin and let it tickle them softly
- Drag the tassel up and down your partner’s thighs or arms to create a sense of anticipation
- Use the crop end to trace patterns over your partner’s skin
- Tap your partner’s skin gently with the crop, building up to firmer slaps or spanks if they consent to it
- See for yourself what kind of sensations the crop and tassel can create by using it on yourself! Stick to fleshy areas like the thighs and forearms and give yourself a few practice spanks so you have an idea of what your partner will feel if you use it on them
And if you’re ready to take things to the next level, here are some ideas:
- Gently slap the tassel down over your partner’s skin if they consent to it. Keep it safe by sticking to muscular or fatty areas of the body like the thighs and butt
- Use restraints, if your partner is comfortable with it. With one or both wrists or ankles restrained, tickle or tease them with the crop/tassel and allow the anticipation to build
- Use the blindfold that comes in the Kink Kit! Beforehand, discuss the places that your partner is happy to be spanked or hit and let them anticipate where you’ll spank them next—choosing only from the places they specified, of course
- If both you and your partner enjoy firmer spanking or hitting, ask them to choose a number of spanks that they would like and then count down from that number. “Ten…nine…eight…”
