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What is Edge Play?

sexy woman on bed with handcuffs

Edge play refers to play that pushes the limits of safety and involves a chance of harm, either physically or emotionally. However, the definition for edge play varies from person to person and is subjective to the players involved; what is risky for one person might not be risky for another and vice versa. So, if you’re having an edge play discussion, make sure you’re both on the same page.

Types of Edge Play

There are two types of edge play, personal edge play and general edge play. The former is any activity that pushes personal limits. It can be anything; it depends on an individual’s personal boundaries. If someone were afraid of the dark, then blindfolds or sensory play involving light would be edge play to that individual.

General edge play is what most people refer to as edge play. This is an activity that most of us would agree pushes the limits of safety and/or sanity. These include the following:

1. Breathe Play, or erotic asphyxiation, is the intentional restriction of oxygen to the brain to produce sexual arousal and euphoric sensations.

2. Bloodplay can take on different forms; from extracting blood from a Sub to bleeding over them.

3. Electrical Play often comprises the use of electro-stimulation through toys and devices like violet wands. These are used on the body to produce sensations and heighten sensitivity.

4. Knife Play is the use of knives, daggers, swords, and other sharp objects to produce a mental and/or physical reaction. It is most commonly used as fear play, which can result in an intense emotional response. Gun Play is of a similar nature.

5. Fire Play involves the use of candles, wax, or open flames during foreplay or sex. Similar to Knife Play and Gun Play, it is commonly used as fear play.

6. Humiliation Play, as the name suggests, involves humiliating the Sub. This can be achieved in many ways: leaving them tied naked in a visible place or through forcing them to partake in a ‘degrading act’ such as eating dog food or licking your feet. Although humiliation play does not necessarily involve the physical risks common to other forms of edge play – it can have long term emotional and/or psychological consequences.

Each of the above types of play has a logical reason that it is considered edge play: there are safety and risk issues, and there’s a chance that someone could get seriously hurt or worse.

Comfort Zones

Before trying any form of edge play you should focus on communication. Discuss what it is that causes the fear – is it the thought of being hurt? The increase in power that the Dom has over you? If you cry, will it be tears of joy? Fear? Catharsis? How can your partner tell the difference? How will they know when to stop? It is important to communicate and figure these kinds of things out before you dive in the deep end. You should talk through the scene more than once and agreed on safe words, what the outcome of the scene is, and what to avoid.

If the edge you’re looking for has some complex, or skilled, elements – blood play, handling guns, rope suspension – you need to take the time to familiarise yourself with the tools and practice in a low-pressure situation beforehand. Learning to perform physical skills in a hot and sexy scene could make the difference between a good scene and a trip to A&E.

Finally, it’s important to remember that not everyone is ‘edgy’ or wants to push themselves to the extreme. Whether you’re on the edge or not, the most important thing is to enjoy your kink and make it a positive part of your life and your relationship. Don’t engage in edge play unless you’re 100% sure the experience is worth the risk.

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