A flogger or whip is commonly known today as an implement to strike a human or animal with for punishment or to motivate them to move or work. Most whips have a braided handle and either one tail or several ends called falls. A single-tail is generally known as a whip, but the term whip has been used so interchangeably over time that it can include anything that is used to strike or whip someone with.

There are generally two kinds of whips or floggers; the striking whips such as the cat o’ nine tails that have many falls (ends) and the semi-rigid whips (such as rods, canes and riding crops) are both examples of striking whips. Then there are the few longer whips called supersonic whips (named after their signature cracking noise) that have been used for thousands of years. These whips are similar to the whip seen carried by Indiana Jones and are generally a long, braided whip between 3 feet long on the short end, and up to 9 foot long on the longer end. The whip crack is a result of the tail end circling back on itself after being thrown and then getting yanked back. This causes the tip of the whip to break the sound barrier and create a sonic boom. The terms bullwhip and stockwhip come from the fact that striking the herd or the livestock damages the meat and could also create a stampede. So, the best course of action was to get the bull moving in the direction desired and the rest of the flock or herd would follow. Hence, the term bull whip; it was the whip that moved the bull.

The word flogger comes from the verb flaggellation in which someone is flogged or whipped by a whip, cane, rod, knout, sjambok, switch, cat o’ nine tails or other implement. Both the words whip and flogger are used as nouns to describe the item as well as verbs to describe the action of using that item.

Originally developed for working with livestock in a non-harmful way, it was only when applied to humans that the design changed to focus on injury and pain such as punishing criminals, disobedient military men, and for punishing slaves.

The cat o’ nine tails in particular dates back to ancient Egypt and was often used to punish slaves. The Egyptians had a reverence for cats and considered them to have nine lives, so when they flogged their victims it was said they gained virtue from the whip. These whips were later used onboard naval ships and used as a punitive measure to punish slaves or military soldiers who broke rules or insulted an officer. The whip was kept in a bag and hence when it was taken out for a flogging, it was called “letting the cat out of the bag”.

Of course, as long as there has been the concept of punishment via whip, there has been a way to apply it as punishment for breaking religious laws, for exhibiting repentance to one’s Lord, and even believed to increase fertility as part of a ritual practiced during festival season.

In Jewish Law, flogging was the default punishment with Talmudic Law limiting strikes to no more than 3 in a row with the maximum amount never exceeding 40 strikes.

In ancient Rome, flogging was a preclude to crucifixion, such as the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The sentenced individual would be flogged with whips that had small pieces of bone or wood at the end. There were no limits to how many strikes were given as long as they didn’t kill the victim prior to crucifixion.

In the 13th Century, a sect of Roman Catholics known as Flaggellants took to self-flagellation as a means of honoring the Passion of the Christ. They would travel to different towns and publicly beat each other while preaching about repentance.

Shi’a Islam has a long practice of using flaggellation as punishment for religious crimes but also for mourning and penance. In the past, some would practice Tatbir (suffering and mourning by blood donation) with flayings or flaggellation.

There have also been accounts of erotic flagellation both in ritual and art all over the world, some dating back thousands of years. The Tomb of the Whipping in Italy dates back to 490 BC and depicts two men having sex with a woman while flogging her.

Every year in Rome, villagers during the festival of Lupercalia, which honors the mother wolf of Rome and involves sacrificing a goat and dog, run through the streets and flog women with strips of goat hide to improve fertility. These blows are not harmful but playful.

In India, thousands of women line up each year to get flogged by priests in the Vijayadashami festival in order to cast out evil spirits and cure illness.

La danza de Los Diablos is a ritual practiced during festival time in Costa Chica on the Pacific Coast of Guerrero and in Oaxaca, Mexico where men dressed as devils led by a man named el Terron wield whips for spanking their spectators. During the dance, a woman named el Minga carries a doll (representing a child), seducing spectators into getting spanked to increase her fertility.

The Manggarrai in western Flores, Indonesia hold whipping fights among young men to prove their virility. One man holds a rattan whip representing a penis while the other holds a shield that represents a vulva and womb. Any blood spilled from sharp blows increase the fertility of the earth.

However, floggers and whips also have a dark history of punishment, rather than ritualistic pleasure.

For centuries, lashings were common punishment at sea by both pirates and naval regiments. The French, German and British armies used them as corrective punishment. As early as the 1400’s, the British Navy believed that whippings were necessary to develop character and build tolerance to pain, and they exacted these punishments on their soldiers as well as prisoners. Whippings and canings were so common in British military that they were called The English Vice.

The cat o’ nine tails or punishment by knittles (where the convicted would run back and forth between a row of soldiers and get hit by each of them) were more common for formal punishment, while a single tail whip called a rope’s end or a starter was used for on the spot, immediate correction or punishment.

Oftentimes, the convicted or court-martialed offender would be strung up so that their feet wouldn’t touch the ground. This caused the skin to be taught and tight so each lashing cut through the stretched skin more easily. Occasionally, they would whip their feet as well.

Flogging was not just physical but psychological punishment resulting in humiliation and defamation of their title, name, or pride. In a fleet of ships, one man would receive a sentence of 600 lashings (which could potentially kill the offender if given all at once) and the lashings would be divided into smaller sets (as many as the offender could handle while conscious). The offender would be paraded around to each ship so that the entire fleet could witness their punishment and shame.This was called flogging ‘round the fleet.

During the lashings, a medical doctor was usually present to check on the prisoner or offender, but only to see if they were conscious. They didn’t check if their pulse was wavering and the only methods of cleaning the wounds after were painful and crude such as dumping a bucket of brine water (heavily salted water) over the bloody, open wounds. Because offenders could not possibly stay conscious or alive for all 600 or 1,000 lashings in one sitting, they split up the sets into smaller amounts. Yet, the type of flogger used was not uniform, and some who were more sadistic or wanted their soldiers to prove they could endure more pain would tie knots at the ends of their floggers and attach metal balls of lead or hooks that ravaged the skin.

It wasn’t until the early 1800’s that medical doctors began to argue against floggings as a cruel and dangerous punishment. Although a new whip would be braided for each flogging, the whip was often not clean, and bacteria would enter into the open wounds, mixing into the blood. Because the lashings were dolled out over time, waiting just long enough for the wounds to heal before opening them up once again, this created multiple opportunities for infection and some recipients of these punishments would survive the flogging only to end up hospitalized for weeks or, on some occasions, dead.

Meanwhile in England, the method of punishment so frequently practiced amongst the British Navy was also being employed in a more erotic way by a woman of the name Theresa Berkley who ran a popular brothel for a very particular type of clientele. Her customers' needs were evidenced by the extensive collection of whips, floggers and a whipping horse for her clients to bend over and receive her lashings. She ran what we would call today a dungeon as a Dominatrix. For over 49 years she was a prominent and successful businesswoman.

By the early 1800’s, Germany and France had ceased using flogging as a form of punishment for their soldiers. Britain continued this practice until the early 1900’s. Flogging was still used in several prisons in the United States and Europe until the late 1900’s. Today, many parts of Asia still practice whipping as a punishment for crimes.

However, the erotic practice of flogging and whipping has gained so much traction in the Western world that there are now thousands of distributors and craftsmen of whips and floggers. At this point, an interested party can find a flogger of any material, color, density, or style either mass produced or handmade. Between pop culture referencing Dominatrixes and the introduction of mainstream kink with Fifty Shades of Gray, this and other kinky practices have changed both the public perception and the culture of flogging today.

Relaxation The sensation of getting whipped with a flogger can be very relaxing, similar in fact to getting a massage. The breathing slows down, muscles get increased circulation and heavier impact can bring the bottom or receiving party into subspace (a state of relaxed euphoria compared to extreme runner’s high or inebriation).

Impact Play Floggers and whips of all kinds are key elements of impact play and easy to add into foreplay.

Foreplay Flogging, spanking, whipping and caning are all very common and enjoyable ways to warm each other up before sex and invite a more playful and seductive environment in the bedroom.

To Get Someone Present Impact play with floggers and whips help bring focus and calm to the one receiving them. If one person is bratty, scattered or disobedient, the Dominant partner may use impact play to get them to pay attention or to be present and not mentally distracted during their session together.

To Destress Getting flogged or whipped stimulates circulation and causes the body to release chemicals such as adrenaline, oxytocin and endorphins. Some studies have even suggested that caning or flagellation helps with depression!

Power Dynamics Traditionally, the one wielding the implement is the Dominant one and the one receiving it is the submissive. Some prefer to not have such strict roles and choose top or bottom.

Below are the most common variations on whips and floggers. Each has its own appeal.

Crops Modeled after traditional horse-riding crops, these implements have a long, rigid handle with a triangular or square end meant to tap or strike a small targeted area.

Paddles & Slappers These implements are wider and can cover more surface area. They are great for spanking the buttocks or thighs as they can cover the larger muscle groups all at once. Paddles are more rigid or firm and create a thuddy sensation if used heavily, or a stinging sensation if used in a hard, tapping motion. Slappers are two pieces held together at the handle; when swinging the slapper, the two parts hit at separate times and can create a more stinging sensation.

Floggers Technically a term for any implement that hits or beats an individual, this term is more specifically used today as any striking implement that has many tails. The most common floggers have over twenty single tails bundled together. However, these tails can include horse hair, rabbit fur, leather, cord, PU leather or braided cotton. The most common floggers today have a braided, rigid handle and a bundle of soft, suede leather falls. These are great for using both as thuddy impact tools and as gentle, soft and sensual tools to arouse and caress the submissive or bottom with. These can be great for beginners if they practice their aim before using on a partner. The multiple falls make it difficult to control where the implement actually lands on the body.

Canes These are rigid sticks made of a variety of durable materials such as wood, carbon fiber, hard plastic and even metal. Because there is very little give to these implements and because they strike a very directed and small surface area without dispersing the impact like paddles or floggers do, they can be very painful and sting. However, they are easier to aim than floggers are.

Whips These implements generally have a single tail, rather than multiple falls. Some are long enough to crack and the sound alone can be exciting and erotic. Others are perfect for targeting small areas of the body and creating stinging, sharp sensations. Because of the nature of these implements, target practice on a pillow or couch is absolutely necessary as they can break skin and cause bleeding if the user isn’t careful.

Ticklers These are a variety of implements that are used in a way that tickles the one receiving them. Generally, these have multiple, small or soft ends (feathers are popular) that are rapidly waved back and forth across the nipples, buttcocks, belly or genitals to excite and arouse.

Leather

• Sexy and luxurious
• There are a variety of leather and each have different scents and textures
• Durable
• Porous; harder to keep clean. Needs to be washed/cleaned after every exposure with bodily fluids.

To Clean: Wipe clean with warm water and mild soap. Let it air dry. Moisturize with saddle soap and mink oil. Lightly spray with disinfectant.

PU (polyurethane) Leather & Leatherette:

• Vegan, imitation leather
• Less porous than leather; easier to clean

To Clean: Wipe down with mild soap and water, then air dry.

Safety: This material is generally safe to use, however it is less durable than leather. After several uses, check the ends to make sure the tips aren’t breaking or frayed from intense impact.

Silicone

• Body safe, non-porous, easy to clean
• Can deliver more stingy blows with minimal effort

To Clean: Boil the implement for 5-10 minutes and then wash with an antibacterial soap. If only part of the implement is silicone, use a disinfectant spray and wipe clean.

Safety: Do not use with silicone-based lube.

ABS/Plastic:

• Affordable and easy to clean
• Can offer a similar bendiness to wood or rattan

To Clean: Use warm water and mild soap and wipe with a soft, cotton cloth.

Safety: Prolonged use and exposure to chemicals (used in cleaning or disinfecting) can cause the plastic to crack or become more porous. Replace these items more regularly than silicone or metal. This material is not very durable. It can break if impact is strong enough.

Feathers:

• Commonly used in ticklers
• Great for beginners and those wanting to add in sensation play

To Clean: Wash with mild soap or dish soap and water. Pull downward towards the tip so as to not break the feathers. Rinse and let air dry.

Safety: Some people are allergic to feathers. Have a conversation about health and safety prior to using.

Wood:

• Traditional, nostalgic for some users
• Porous, harder to clean

To Clean: Wipe down with a Lysol wipe to disinfect. Maintenance & Care: Soak in water for about 30 minutes every month to keep them flexible.

Safety: Be sure to care for the wood and condition it or hydrate it frequently. If the wood is too brittle, it will break and splinter upon impact. This is a porous material; do not use with multiple partners if previously exposed to blood.

Fur:

• Primal and sensual
• Unique addition to falls of leather; adds softness to a stinging or biting sensation

To Clean: Shake free of any debris and hang. While hanging, spray with a solution of 1:1 solution of isopropyl alcohol and water and lightly brush through the fur. Let air dry.

Safety: Some people have allergies to animal dander. Do not use on people without first having a conversation on safety and health.

Rubber:

• Heavy, durable, and easily leaves welts

To Clean: Wash with warm water and antibacterial soap.

Safety: Porous; do not use with multiple partners if exposed to blood or bodily fluids.

Glass Handles:

• Great for temperature play
• Unique material for handles
• Easy to clean

To Clean: Wash with soap and water. Pyrex glass toys are dishwasher safe.

Safety: Do not expose glass to extreme temperatures. Can be used with any lube. Be careful when using floggers with glass handles; if dropped or thrown, the glass can shatter and cause a safety issue in a dungeon or play-space.

Steel:

• Creates a rigid rod for crops and canes
• Strong, long-lasting, and durable, difficult to break

To Clean: Wipe clean with antibacterial spray.

Safety: Steel is a very rigid material that can do a lot of damage. Be mindful of the intensity of strikes given and never use on joints, kidneys or spine.

It’s exciting to pick up a flogger or whip for the first time. It gives the wielder a sense of Dominance and power. There are several different kinds to choose from. Below is a selection of our most popular options!

3pc Intro to Impact Spanking Kit A great way to introduce impact play into the bedroom, this kit includes a crop, a flogger and a slapper.

Imprint Spanking Paddle Send a message and leave it imprinted on their ass with these imprint spanking paddles. Great for beginners and advanced alike!

Strict Leather Scottish Tawse Good quality leather with a nice cracking sound! This is sure to inflict pain and get their attention!

Lingam Glass Dildo Flogger A dildo and flogger all in one. The soft, suede tresses sensually bite at the buttocks of a submissive while the handle can be used to penetrate them with glass that can be heated or cooled for temperature play.

Strict Leather Premium Deerskin Floggers These floggers are made of soft, premium leather. Rub them in the submissive's face and make them inhale the scent of deerskin, then use the same leather to whip their backside until they moan out loud. These are for serious lovers of floggers and leather.

The Premium Red and Black Leather Whip This leather whip is for the experienced whip user or for those aspiring to become one. The woven black and red leather makes for an aesthetically pleasing design while the quality and durability of this whip will be, if taken care of, one that is enjoyed for years to come.

Set up a safeword or signal beforehand.
It’s important to give everyone a chance to communicate clearly. Having a safeword (a word that is only spoken to stop or pause the scene, usually something particiapnts would not say during a sexy scene, like taxidermy or hippopotamus) helps everyone feel safer. If they become nonverbal, having a visual queue or signal is also helpful, like making them carry a flashing toy that is blinking and dropping it so it flashes when the intensity is too much.

Never hit the lower back/kidneys, tailbone, spine.
There isn’t enough protective fat or muscle here to insulate the organs or joints.

If your partner is trying to crawl away from you while you’re hitting them, STOP!
This is a big visual queue indicating that the impacts are too hard or painful. While the submissive might not be saying anything or speaking a safeword, their body is saying it is resisting and needs things to pause.

Aim first with light taps, then go harder.
Always warm up the bottom or submissive. A good impact play session includes allowing ample time for blood to flow and circulate to the muscles and flesh being impacted. This will create a better scene and also make the receiver feel cared for.

If the submissive/bottom moves, lifts up or squirms away after an impact, pause and give them time to process.
There are a lot of things going on inside the body during impact play. When there’s an intense impact that causes the one bottoming to move, that is a physical indication that the intensity reached a peak and they need a moment to process the pain and breathe. Allow them to work through it and let the chemicals in their body settle before hitting them again, or else the scene may soon be over.

Discuss “marking” or bruising before play.
A lot of people aren’t able to have bruises due to work, family or relationship reasons. For models, they cannot have any part of their body bruised at all, so impact play may not be out of the question entirely, but doing anything heavy would likely cause bruising and impact their ability to work. For those who are not open about their kinky lifestyle, any visible bruises on thighs, arms or shoulders, for example, would not be acceptable things to be seen at their workplace or amongst family. Some relationships aren’t D/s (Dominant/submissive) in nature and so the submissive or bottom will seek out BDSM play elsewhere (ideally with the primary partner’s consent and knowledge). Often in these cases the primary partner doesn’t allow their submissive partner to get bruised by anyone else, so keep the impact play light and safe.

BDSM impact play does not mean sex!
Just because people are getting aroused or feeling relaxed, unless sexual intercourse is discussed and agreed upon beforehand it is not on the table nor should it be assumed.

Don’t wear the rope tied to the end of a flogger around your wrist.
There’s usually a braided rope that is attached to the end of the flogger handle. This is meant for hanging up the flogger, not for hanging around the wrist. If the user wears this around their wrist while flogging, it can actually cause injury to the wrist bones because it causes the wielder of the flogger to use it improperly. Hold it instead by the handle.

With floggers, allow for distance between yourself and the one being hit.
The chances of hitting them too hard or having the end of the flogger falls wrap around is higher if the wielder starts out close. Start farther away and then adjust and come in closer.

Before any impact play, ask the bottom or submissive what type of impact they enjoy.
Most people have a preference of stingy or thuddy. They also may enjoy soft or heavy impact and a slow build up versus a fast transition into heavier impact play. Everyone has different tolerances for different types of toys and this can change based on their levels of rest, if they’ve eaten enough, if they’re hydrated, if they’re menstruating or if they’re stressed. If they don’t know what type of impact they like because they’re new to it or haven’t done it in a while, go slow and try out different things to discover their preferences.

When using canes, don’t hit people with the tip of the cane. Use a riding crop, instead.
The best place to hit someone with a cane is from the center to the tip. Never use the lower part, the tip, or the handle.

Only hit people with the end of a riding crop, not the long stick part of the toy.
Riding crops are only meant to be used in a way that directs an impact via the end of the stick, where the softer leather is attached.

Practice using floggers on pillows or other soft targets before using them on people.
Floggers have many tails (called falls) that, when uncontrolled, tend to flare and spread out while in motion. If the wielder of this tool does not have proper technique, they may aim for the buttocks (for example) but the ends will flare and wrap around the hips, below the buttocks or land where they shouldn’t (such as the low back and kidney areas). For the best results, practice beforehand on inanimate objects. Make sure the objects are soft so they don’t rip, tear or ruin the leather of the flogger.

Check the ends of the floggers.
After multiple uses, toys can start to wear down. If the falls need to be trimmed or repaired, do that before using them again.

Touch the submissive/bottom before hitting them.
Use nails, tips of fingers and hands to caress them and let them know where you are before any toys are used. Warm them up to impact play with light slaps and spanks, first.

Take a surface temperature check.
Inbetween series of impacts from toys, place the palm of your hand on the area you’ve been hitting. If it’s hot, there’s a higher likelihood their tolerance may be lower because of the increase in circulation, and it means they are more likely to bruise. If the skin feels cooler, then as long as they consent to it, you can safely continue impact play.

Floggers are both impact play tools and sensual tools.
The sensation of the flogger falls being lightly dragged across the upper back and buttocks is very delicious and relaxes the submissive/bottom. This is great for doing in-between spanks and impacts.

If you want to hit one spot repeatedly, do it lightly, and check in if they like it or not.
Hitting one spot repeatedly can emphasize the sensation. For many, this sensation can start out feeling alarming or arousing but continued impact on that location can make the spot more sensitive and even result in pain, bruising and even breaking skin. Always check in on the receiver or submissive to see if they are okay with marks being left on their body and if the pain is too intense to enjoy.

Remind them to breathe.
Often when people are in pain, they try to harden their body like a shield and this can cause them to hold their breath. This hardening doesn’t actually help as it causes a stiffness to the muscles rather than allowing the impacts to fall on relaxed muscles. Breathing keeps them calm and centered so they can process the pain and access more pleasure.

Have the bottom/submissive change positions to get at different areas of their body and shift their head-space.
Having a spanking horse is a great tool to allow for different access points.

Warm up with thuddy impact toys before moving to stingy impact toys.
The muscles and meat of the body can enjoy more stinging and sharp sensations once there’s adequate circulation. Toys that are more thuddy such as floggers or wide paddles can help bring more circulation to a larger surface area before a more targeted spot is focused on with implements such as a cane or switch.

Paddles without metal rods inside them are great beginner toys.
Not only are they easier to aim, there’s no risk that a metal rod will impact the bottom and cause injury.

Light, punctuated rhythms are best for rigid impact play toys.
Crops, canes and paddles are rigid toys where light, punctuated rhythm is perfect for warming the submissive up. Start light and slowly build up to harder impacts. Check in with the submissive as the intensity increases.

Playing music is helpful for getting into a rhythm.
Find music with a good, deep beat that doesn’t distract the submissive (or you). However, make sure that if the music is too loud to hear the submissive there is a very clear non-verbal sign they can give you that is the equivalent of calling out red (meaning stop right now) or yellow (meaning pause and check in).

Get a medium to light-weight flogger with falls that are approximately the length of your arm for your first flogger.
Sizing the floggers to your arms is the best way for beginners to ensure they can start using these implements with ease.

As the one wielding the flogger, move your body to help with aim.
Move up and down, lean in and away or circle the bottom/submissive as they stay still. They are the target, and the one flogging is the arrow. Move around and aim at a still target.

Is spanking and flogging the same thing?
No. While both of these are included in impact play, the result and the sensations can differ. Floggers tend to be more relaxing while spanking can be more invigorating. As with all tools, it really depends how they’re used; every tool can create a variety of effects. One of the biggest differences, however, is that spanking is traditionally done with a hand, paddle, or switch.

What is florentine style flogging?
Florentine style flogging is simply being able to use two matching floggers at the same time in the same pattern. People who have learned to do poi spinning tend to use a figure-8 pattern and take to florentine style very easily due to its similarities.

Do I need special florentine floggers to do florentine style flogging?
No. Use whichever two floggers match in weight and length that you feel most comfortable with.

Does being able to do florentine style mean someone is good at flogging?
No; it means they are coordinated with both their right and left hands. Someone is good at flogging if they check in with their sub or bottom, use safe practices while flogging such as only hitting the upper back, bottom, breast and thighs (and avoid the kidneys, belly, spine and joints), and they should direct their flogger falls where they intend them to go (instead of missing and hitting the sub accidentally).

I accidentally missed my target and hit my sub where they didn’t want to be hit. Should I say something or just keep going?
Yes! Acknowledge your mistake, apologize and check in before continuing. The quickest way to lose trust between a Dom and a sub is to ignore the sub’s requests, break agreements and make the scene feel unsafe. Acknowledging a mistake is not a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of responsibility. If they think the lashing was intentionally painful and broke the agreement about where not to hit, the submissive will feel unsafe and won’t play with that Dom again.

How do I know how a flogger feels if no one is around to use one on me?
When choosing floggers or whips, even if it is for someone else, make sure to test them first on your own body. Use the whip or flogger on exposed, sensitive skin such as the thigh or inner forearm. The submissive that this tool will be used on may have a different pain tolerance. However, this is a great way of gauging pain levels for yourself when buying or comparing floggers.

How do I know which flogger is right for me?
For submissives, I recommend going with a partner so they can assist and use them on their covered buttocks (wear leggings or thin pants) to keep the floggers sanitary and clean. However, if that’s not possible, try using them on yourself, or follow these guidelines: If stingy sensation is desired, go for thinner falls or rods. If thuddy is desired, go for thicker or wider paddles, falls or rods. Also consider that many people have preferences when it comes to materials, for ethical reasons or skin allergies, many people choose to use leather alternatives such as PU leather or silicone.