Toy Tuesday: Collars

Yay Tuesday! Thankfully, I get the day off tomorrow, so I'm feeling pretty invigorated. Let's hop to it shall we? You know what's coming next.

Today's Toy: Collars

This one is actually pretty obvious. If you have a dog, you've most likely used one in your life. Some people like to collar their loved ones. Collars originated with slaves, and have been used since men first started conquering lands. In the BDSM community, they are a staple for many. They symbolize ownership and submission, and in some Dom-Sub relationships, they can equal to a wedding band.

The great thing about collars is that they are non-disciminatory. They can be used by both and women, and unlike an article of clothing, can be worn people of any size. Like clothing, though, they come in a variety of styles and materials:

• Play/Regular Collar & Leash: Looks very similar to a dog collar. Basic collar with snaps or velcro closures. I used Pipedream's Fantasy Fetish collar and leash, a good choose for beginners. These collars, as well as the others on this list, come in any material, including metal (mostly stainless steel), leather (the most popular), PVC, rubber, and, like mine, suede. Some collars include linings made of softer materials such as fur, silk, and again, suede.

• Training Collar: A training collar is much more delicate, akin to a choker necklace. This is to accustom the submissive to wearing a collar. Many D&S (Dominate and Submissive) couples use this as a representation of their long-term commitment. Here is where the collar can equal a wedding ring. Once a relationship reaches this stage, a Dom might choose to put a lock on the collar to establish ownership and loyalty.

• Bondage Collar: Pretty much the same thing as regular collars, but they come with adjustable straps and accessories such as D-rings, buckles, straps, and/or hooks.

• Lockable Collar: Same concept as the bondage and play collars but they can be locked, either at the front or back. A popular version of this collar is the stainless steel model.

• Wolf Collar: Originally used to protect dogs from wolves, wolf collars are growing in popularity with the BDSM community. However, as you can see below, these collars can be dangerous, so should be used with care. Some manufacturers have begun putting blunt or plastic tips on their spikes to diminish accidents.

• Neck Corset: These collars are, in my opinion, the most elegant of the bunch, and highly desired in the corset community. Similar to their torso counterparts, neck corsets are meant to force proper posture and elongate the body. They are commonly made from leather, and include boning, but unlike regular corsets, have softer laces to prevent over-tightening. Some corsets go up over the lips and look similar to neck corsets, but are in fact called mouth corsets.

• Collar and Clamp Set: This collar, like the neck corset, doesn't really lend itself to leashes, although there are some varieties that include a hook for that purpose. This collar is meant for the wearer to not only receive pleasure from the submissive nature of the collar, but also the nipple clamps. In some cases, genital clamps are included as well.

Earlier in BDSM history, only the Sub would wear the collar to inform others of their status, but nowadays, both Dom and Sub might choose to wear them to symbolize their loyalty to each other.

When using a choker or collar, you should always know and trust the person who will be in control. Chokers are a lot of fun, but they should be used safely. In the BDSM community, and anywhere really, it is good etiquette to ask permission from the sub before collaring. Putting the collars on should be fairly easy. If it is a lockable version, make sure to keep the key nearby.

The collar should never be too tight, the collared party should be able to breath easily, unless you are engaging in erotic asphyxiation, in which you should be even more careful. If you are using a leash with the collar, don't pull too hard. If the person cries out in pain stop immediately. Always establish a safe word if necessary.

To maintain your collars, know what material you are dealing with first. Leather requires a little more care, while metal can just be sanitized in boiling water for 2-3 seconds, or with rubbing alcohol. Nylon and suede can be thrown in the washing machine, and PVC and rubber just need to be rubbed down with warm water and anti-bacterial soap.

Difficulty to use: 

The one I used had a velcro enclosure, so it was a piece of cake. I upped the rating for the ones with buckles.

Versatility: 

There are so many options to choose from!

My Rating: 

I loved wearing a collar, I thought it was sexy as hell. My boyfriend and I sometimes dabble in amateur BDSM, so this was the perfect amount of naughty. I would like to try other collars, just to see if I like them more. We didn't delve into the Dom-Sub aspect fully, but I liked the taste that I got.

Boyfriend's Rating: 

Of course he liked it. In his words, and I'm paraphrasing, his favorite part was pulling on it during doggy-style.

Though Wikipedia gets a lot of slack for not being a reliable source, in this case, they are spot on with a deeper explanation of collars and their subculture. It's a good read if you wish to get more info on the subject.

If you would like to buy collars, Bondage Fetish Store has a vast selection, and Eternity Collars specializes in luxury products.

For more info on collars and their lifestyles: 1, 2, 3, 4

Damn. Maybe I should have done a Fetish Friday segment on it ;)