Thoughts on the cane

Who has experienced it? Who likes it, hates it, fears it? Who hasn't experienced it and thinks it's most likely the most horrible implement on earth?

The cane is a fascinating and often misunderstood implement. For some, its mention invokes images of the cane's potential brutality as showcased in Lupus/Rigid East videos, the harsh punishments in Singapore, or the painful corrections English schoolchildren have endured. But there are two things to remember about canes: 1) they are not all created equal. Like paddles and straps, they come in many different thicknesses and materials; and 2) canes are as harsh, sensual or anything in between as the individuals who wield them.

When I first got into TTWD (This Thing We Do, in case you haven't heard that abbreviation), canes terrified me. I'd seen the icky pictures and heard about how painful and punitive they were, and there was no appeal whatsoever. John, however, was experienced with them and after we'd been together a few months, he was able to convince me to let him try one on me.

We were in a friend's dungeon and I had my hands wrapped around a suspension bar over my head. I was well warmed up and I knew John wouldn't hurt me, but I was scared out of my mind. Still, my curiosity overrode the fear and I consented.

John knew all about proper technique -- about spacing the strokes, about waiting an extra few seconds to let the waves of pain settle in before applying the next stroke. And it was only six. But afterward, I burst into tears. When he tried to get me to let go of the suspension bar, he discovered that my hands were gripping it so tightly, he had to peel my fingers off one by one. Finally he got me down and took me into his lap, holding me close. I don't know why I came so completely unglued; I guess I was even more afraid than I'd thought.

How far I've come.

A cane doesn't have to cause horrible bruising, and it most definitely does not have to break skin. Used judiciously and with proper technique, it can impart pretty pink stripes in an even design.

It also can be used in a very sensual way, with a rapid tap-tap-tapping motion that warms and stings and stimulates. Throwing in a hard strike now and then when least expected adds the element of mindf***.

I've been lucky enough to play with some of the best caners, including Keith Jones. I would trust that man with anything in his hands, and he's brilliant with a cane. I have many fond memories, including one time when he had me biting on a leather paddle so I wouldn't scream. (gasp) I had marks for eight days after that scene. Ah, the good old days.

Canes are especially fun when you break them.

The more breakage, the better.

Of course, after you break them, you do have to face the wrath of the top who doesn't like losing his toys. But it's worth it. :-) Well, except when their backup cane is made of carbon fiber, as Craig's was. Holy crap, how I hated that thing!!! Unbreakable, too. Pure evil.

I suppose in a true punishment, there is no warmup and the cane is applied directly to cold skin. I experienced that once. Never again. How anyone can do that to children is beyond me... but we won't go there.

There is definitely a unique sensation with a cane. Unlike any other implement I can think of, the cane imparts a sort of double pain. First, you feel the sting of it striking the skin. Then, a second or two later, you feel a deeper pain penetrating the muscle. That's why caning too quickly or striking the same spot over and over is excruciating. Giving the bottom a second or two to catch their breath between strokes is a bit of kindness within the sadism. :-)

Overall... in the right hands, canes can be painfully delicious. And in the wrong ones, they can be pure torture. Pretty much like anything else.

Your thoughts? Experiences?