Gear for bondage

For safety cutters there are too many options to list. The ones that I have used and like are:

Good old fashioned safety shears. Inexpensive, available from a variety of places, and come in many colors and styles. I got a 3 pack from Amazon and keep one pair in each of my rope kits. Yes, you can have them in your carry-on when flying. I recommend getting bright colors so you don’t lose them outdoors or in a dark dungeon.

Gerber Strap Cutter is another I really like and recommend. Great for cutting rope or straps or even plastic wrap that is close to the body in case of emergency. I don’t recommend flying with it internationally with your carry-on. (Ask me how I know…)  For the cost it is a very nice addition to any play bag.

If you work with lots of pallet or plastic wrap I recommend getting something like the Gerber Vital Zip cutter. This is great because the blade is replaceable for when it inevitably gets dull. Cuts very fast. The biggest issue with this tool is that you have to watch out for small parts of the body (fingers and toes) getting into the mouth of this cutter. It will cut you if you're not careful!

If you're like me and want to be “fancy” (AKA collect all the fun tools), I recommend checking out the Leatherman Raptor. I got mine for around $120 way back when. Nowadays there are off brand ones that are way more affordable (and look the same)! I don’t fly with these unless I check a bag. It's a very handy tool but make sure you and your partners are familiar with how to use it.

If you want a suspension (shibari) ring I got mine (a long time ago) from Agreeable Agony. You can find others from other Etsy shops and many places that sell rope for bondage. Also check out eBay. I have seen people use playground equipment or things for acrobatics as rings too. Regardless of where you get these from, just to make sure they are safe to carry weight.

I have almost entirely moved away from suspension rings. These days I mostly use a rigging plate and carabiners. There are many options for rigging plates and can be found at most places that sell climbing equipment. They are less aesthetically pleasing for some but the biggest selling point for me is that they are both lightweight and strong.

There are WAY too many options out there for carabiners with tons of colors, shapes, uses, and features. Make sure you find carabiners that are rated in the KNs and will work for you and your needs.

I started with a cheap set of wire gate carabiners. Though they worked for me for many years, I had problems with the rope jamming due to the shape.

I recently fell in love with these Locking Carabiners from REI. There are other brands with this exact shape too, but the important part for me is the design. They don’t have a tooth to snag the rope and almost never jam because of the larger radius and flat shape. I’ve gone back and bought 20 of them.

I also have some Autolock Carabiners I got from RW rope. They are great for creating up-lines in outdoor spaces and for circus rope where people are twisting and turning and you want to make sure the carabiner doesn’t come undone. You can find them anywhere climbing gear is sold.