Whether you are a dominant or a submissive, there are a few things you need to know when choosing a flogger. You need to determine what your needs are before you start shopping around. First, is the person on the receiving end more into the sting or the thud. Some floggers can be used for sensations, but some are a little more weighted in one area or the other.

Secondly, is this going to be the only tool you use during your play session, or is this going to be used in conjunction with other toys. Some floggers are best used for warm ups or sensual floggings, while others are more suited for the middle or the end of a scene. Lastly, you need to decide on the material you prefer. Floggers can be made of leather, horsehair, plastic, or chains. However, the material you choose will mostly be determined by your answers to the first two questions. Now that you have some sense of the style or scene you’re shopping for, you can start to make decisions on what kind of flogger to use.

For a Lighter Touch

“There are floggers that are made of rabbit fur for a softer touch”

If you’re looking for a nice warm up flogger, or something to be used on the breasts or the genitalia, you want something with a very soft hide with little to no sting. Generally, floggers used in this low-intensity portion of your scene will have more tails, resulting in more thud and less bite. You will want to look for something like a deer hide or a suede. You could even get more creative and try a little rabbit fur. The tactile sensation of these soft materials mixed with the pain of impact will give any bottom that sensual tingly feeling they need to get things started.

Kicking It Up a Notch

Once everyone’s excited and loose, it’s time for the next level. For some pairs, this will be as far as they go, for some; it’s just another step in their scene. If your bottom prefers a little sting, this is the perfect time to introduce it. By picking a little tougher hide and selecting fewer tails, you can get that perfect stingy feel without moving too quickly. If your bottom prefers the thud, now is the time to double your tails and amp up your swing. Floggers to look for in this mid-scene range will be made of hides like elk, cow, or even moose. This is also a good time to start looking at horsehair. Just remember, most single floggers will have more sting, so if you need the thud, double up!

And For the More Intense Crowd

“For the extreme players, there are floggers made of steel chains”

If you’ve moved through your warm up, your mid-range, and you’re still craving a little more, it’s time to look for the high intensity floggers. For a full thud, buffalo is your best choice. This is still soft but it packs a punch. If you want sting, now’s the time to start looking at braided tails or floggers with knots. For a nice mix, you’ll want to look for a bull hide. And, if you’re very experienced and into a really intense level of stimulation, this is where the plastic and the chains come in. Both of these types of floggers are more intense which come in the BDSM category and they can cause extreme damage to the body if not handled properly.

No matter which level or style you choose, just remember to be conscious of your partner and to enjoy yourself. After all, that’s what floggers are for!