The Right Flogger

Choosing the right flogger is essential to furthering your experience in the BDSM lifestyle. When choosing the right flogger for your lifestyle desires, you should consider several factors. Of course, color and type are important to you, but beyond the superficial cosmetics, there are more specific aspects that should be looked at and understood in order to get the effect you are seeking.  Today, we will explore different design aspects of the flogger and learn different properties in order to help you make a good decision when purchasing.

When you already know what sensation you would like to be creating with your flogger (thud or sting), you should consider the length of the falls, the width of the falls, the number of falls, and the type and weight of the leather in order to achieve the desired sensation.  Each of these different characteristics will have bearing on the way the flogger is used, how it will act and the sensation that can be obtained.  Also the experience of the person using the tool should be taken into consideration.  Most floggers can provide a wide range of sensation, but this mostly depends on the how it is used instead of the flogger itself.

Length

The longer the flogger is, the more it starts to act like a (single tailed) whip.  A flogger should be no longer than the length of your arm. For people new to this unique tool the falls should be around the length of the forearm.  Experienced users can effectively use longer floggers without the complications the less experienced will encounter.  These complications include tangling, control and the possibility of hitting one’s self accidentally.  Shorter floggers are much easier to control and are less prone to tangling.

Physics

The next few considerations require a brief physics lesson.  Force equals mass multiplied by acceleration.  The force in this equation translates into how the flogger feels when it contacts the target.  Mass refers to the flogger.  Acceleration refers to how fast the flogger is moving.  Thus, the impact of the flogger on the target is a factor of both weight and how fast it is moving.  This is how different effects can be obtained from the same flogger.  It all has to do with how fast the flogger is moving. Knowing how to get different effects comes with practice and experience.  Another thing you should understand is that two floggers of different weights can have the exact same impact by using them differently. For example:  A lighter flogger moving fast will have the same impact as a heavier flogger moving slower.

Width of the Falls

The width of the falls will play a small part in the experience.  The wider the falls are the more thud will be felt in the impact as compared to thinner falls. The width of the falls plays into the mass part of the equation.  The wider the fall is, the more surface area is exposed and more leather meets the target. Also, wider falls are easier to control and are more likely to stay grouped together when approaching your target.

Number of Falls

The number of falls also increases the weight or mass exponentially.  The more falls you have, the heavier the flogger will be and more of a thud sensation can be easily obtained.

Type of Leather

The type of leather will also play a part in the sensation that it will give.  There are many types of leather.  The type depends on the animal the hide was obtained from and the tanning process itself.  Some leathers are softer feeling and more supple than others.  Suede (pig, cow or other), deer and elk and most of your oil tanned leathers will have a softer feel. Top grain and Latigo are generally thicker, stiffer and have a rougher feel. The type of leather, other than the thickness generally associated with different types, does not have much bearing in the aforementioned equation.  The type of leather is mostly cosmetic but can add a small part to the feeling, sensation and control of the flogger.

Weight or Thickness of Leather

The weight or thickness of the leather plays into the mass.  Leather is measured by weight.  The thicker the leather is the more is weighs. You will often see leather being referred to as a range of ounces (3-4oz. or 8-10oz.).  This is because leather is a natural product and in the processing it is difficult to get an exact thickness throughout the entire hide.  Each ounce in this estimated weight is equivalent to approximately 1/64 of an inch.  A 1-2oz. leather will range from 1/64 to 1/32 of an inch.  Likewise a 3-4oz leather will range from 3/64 to 1/16 of an inch and 8-10oz will range from 1/8 to 5/32 of an inch and so on.  As you can see, the thicker the leather is, the more it weighs and thus will factor into the mass of the flogger. Remember, a heavier flogger, regardless of by gross weight or volume of leather, will naturally take more effort to use.

The Handle

You should also consider the comfort of the handle in making your choice.  This is completely a personal preference. Any handle can feel better to you than someone else.  A tool that feels good in your hand and is comfortable will be much easier to work with than one that does not feel good or comfortable in your hand.  You are more likely to master any tool better and faster if you are comfortable with it.

Conclusion

With all these factors to keep in mind, which flogger is right for you?  You need to ask a few simple questions.

• How experienced am I?
• What type of sensation am I primarily going to use this tool for, thud or sting?
•  How much effort do I want to use to get the desired effects?

If you are new and want to create a “thuddy” sensation with little effort, you would look for a flogger no longer than the length of your forearm that is made of a heavier weight of leather, has wider falls and/or has many falls.  If you are looking for more sting or bite, choose a lighter weight flogger with fewer or thinner falls.   After you have answered these questions, look for a flogger that meets the criteria set by the answers, with a comfortable handle and which is aesthetically pleasing to you and you will have the perfect tool for your needs.