This volume doesn't cover as much about safety, because honestly by now you should have the jist of it. It does go over some (such as the two finger rule, communicating, watching circulation, etc.). The book has a section called Clever Tricks.
Really, it doesn't need anything more. Before it goes into clever tricks it does spend a good chunk of pages covering more functional and decorative knots. Almost twice the length of the first volume it covers more overall, but it doesn't repeat anything it showed you in the first book. There are some variants that will seem familiar and another nice touch this book has is giving you some ideas with what do to with your partner once you have them tied up. (The punny games are just adorable), because let's admit it - even the best imaginations in the world could use a nudge from time to time.
It's also got one of the most beautiful rope gloves I think I've ever seen anywhere, and while the knot the glove utilizes isn't easy to do, a little practice goes a long way. Between volumes one and two you can easily cover your partner in an entire rope outfit! (Give me a minute please...)
There's a maximum exposure section, two sections for intermediate and then advanced harnesses, etc. Simply Elegant is probably the best way to describe the book itself. The knots are beautiful, and at the same time they're not over-bearing on the framework that they give you. It's a nice balance, and is set up in such a way that you get to spend as much time enjoying the process of tying up as you do getting to enjoy said person after they are tied up.
A good thing to remember if you're the one getting tied up, is the importance of communication. Everyone makes mistakes, and just because you were tied up a similar way before doesn't mean you need to tough out any discomfort the second (third, fourth, fifth, etc.) go round. There's variables in ropes and knots just like anything else, and trying to keep quiet just to stay tied up longer is a bigger risk to yourself, and will probably make the person who tied you up feel like crap for hurting you.
I know personally I'm going to have to keep myself in check, I Looo<3ve the feel of rope on my skin, and I can see slipping into subspace because of it. I'm sure on the one hand this is fantastic, but on the other hand it's going to inhibit my ability to communicate properly, or even completely feel what's going on with my own body. TKBs actually warns against it in the book ^^;
All in all I can't say anything negative about these books. They're imaginative, concise, easy to read and easy to follow instructions. For beginners and pros there's something in here that anyone could build on, of that much I'm sure!
Showing posts with label Book. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Book. Show all posts
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Friday, February 3, 2012
Book Review -:- Two Knotty Boys, Showing You the Ropes
Much like the two books I reviewed before this one, TKB spends about 20 pages on basic safety, communication, and basic knots. It's all black and white, and a larger format book than Douglas Kent's books.
A couple pictures are blurry, but keep in mind there's got to be over 200 photos in this book. Step by step illustrations of knots, harnesses, decorations, gags, arm binds, corsets, strap on harnesses, etc. Basic, Decorative, Dominance, and Sex are the categories that the book is broken down into, though these areas can easily and repeatedly overlap one another.
What was most interesting to me was how decorative everything was overall. Kent's books really dove into the technical side of things, simplicity as art and such, while TKBs seem to focus on the visual beauty of the knots, as opposed to the overall beauty of the idea of Shibari itself.
Putting the two together ought to be interesting, and could make a good book all on it's own. Since there's not such an emphasis on Shibari with TKBs there's far more room for flexibility of the kind of people who could use the rope work they teach in their book. Stretching and being flexible are never a bad thing, however the level of bend-y-ness you need to use their harnesses and ideas is a lot more relaxed than with Kent's books. Also in the two volumes of theirs that I have (and I'll cover the other one here soon), they never once go into suspension bondage.
Which is perfectly fine, they give you SO MUCH other stuff to work with. I felt like a kid in a candy shop and I'm not even the one in this relationship that's going to be doing the tying. (Though I might have to practice enough to tie myself up into a rope teddy someday >.> )
A couple pictures are blurry, but keep in mind there's got to be over 200 photos in this book. Step by step illustrations of knots, harnesses, decorations, gags, arm binds, corsets, strap on harnesses, etc. Basic, Decorative, Dominance, and Sex are the categories that the book is broken down into, though these areas can easily and repeatedly overlap one another.
What was most interesting to me was how decorative everything was overall. Kent's books really dove into the technical side of things, simplicity as art and such, while TKBs seem to focus on the visual beauty of the knots, as opposed to the overall beauty of the idea of Shibari itself.
Putting the two together ought to be interesting, and could make a good book all on it's own. Since there's not such an emphasis on Shibari with TKBs there's far more room for flexibility of the kind of people who could use the rope work they teach in their book. Stretching and being flexible are never a bad thing, however the level of bend-y-ness you need to use their harnesses and ideas is a lot more relaxed than with Kent's books. Also in the two volumes of theirs that I have (and I'll cover the other one here soon), they never once go into suspension bondage.
Which is perfectly fine, they give you SO MUCH other stuff to work with. I felt like a kid in a candy shop and I'm not even the one in this relationship that's going to be doing the tying. (Though I might have to practice enough to tie myself up into a rope teddy someday >.> )
Friday, January 27, 2012
Book Review -:- Douglas Kent's Complete Shibari Vol 2: Sky
If you haven't read my review on the first of this series It will help to do so before reading this one. For pretty much the same reason you should start with volume 1 in any series, CS vol 2 doesn't review any of the information it covers in the first book.
It even states in a couple places that the lessons it covered in CS: Land, are NOT repeated in volume 2. From what I've absorbed from the books this isn't an exaggeration.
Vol 1 spent about 17-18 pages on safeties, ties, communications, expectations, etc. Volume 2 spends 31 pages covering safety, communication, understand risks, explaining what you need to do suspensions as safely as possible, what precautions to take to reduce risks, and the simple fact that some Shibari Experts go their whole career without doing even one suspension because of the associated risks.
The next 11 pages cover ties, harnesses, and lifts used in suspension shibari, much like the section covering knots in the first volume this is stuff for you to get comfortable with well enough to incorporate into any of your work later.
The rest of the 95 page book (all 40 pages I think at this point), goes over different styles of suspension, face up, face down, leg lifting, limb suspension, etc. While some positions offer "easy access" as it were, the book warns that suspension shibari shouldn't last long enough for an effective romp, and that 10-15 minutes max, is well, the max. Of course, everyone is built a little differently, and discretion is at the hands of the Top and Bottom involved - so long as they're communicating effectively and have relatively swift ways of ending the scene if any pain or cut off circulation occurs.
Also, while it's pointed out in the book itself, I feel the need to point out that most of the "Art" photos in the book were taken using very small VERY flexible life-long gymnast type women. Touching the back of one's head with the sole of one's own foot is NOT something everyone can do - no matter how in shape they may be.
It even states in a couple places that the lessons it covered in CS: Land, are NOT repeated in volume 2. From what I've absorbed from the books this isn't an exaggeration.
Vol 1 spent about 17-18 pages on safeties, ties, communications, expectations, etc. Volume 2 spends 31 pages covering safety, communication, understand risks, explaining what you need to do suspensions as safely as possible, what precautions to take to reduce risks, and the simple fact that some Shibari Experts go their whole career without doing even one suspension because of the associated risks.
The next 11 pages cover ties, harnesses, and lifts used in suspension shibari, much like the section covering knots in the first volume this is stuff for you to get comfortable with well enough to incorporate into any of your work later.
The rest of the 95 page book (all 40 pages I think at this point), goes over different styles of suspension, face up, face down, leg lifting, limb suspension, etc. While some positions offer "easy access" as it were, the book warns that suspension shibari shouldn't last long enough for an effective romp, and that 10-15 minutes max, is well, the max. Of course, everyone is built a little differently, and discretion is at the hands of the Top and Bottom involved - so long as they're communicating effectively and have relatively swift ways of ending the scene if any pain or cut off circulation occurs.
Also, while it's pointed out in the book itself, I feel the need to point out that most of the "Art" photos in the book were taken using very small VERY flexible life-long gymnast type women. Touching the back of one's head with the sole of one's own foot is NOT something everyone can do - no matter how in shape they may be.
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| Complete Shibari |
Book Review -:- Douglas Kent's Complete Shibari Vol 1: Land
I purchased 4 bondage books (and one book that's not exactly about bondage) from a list that Master put together. I've since received four of the five, and figured, hey - why not write about 'em.
Especially since they really struck a good chord with me just from reading the first few pages.
The first 17 pages of Complete Shibari Vol 1 are focused on safety. Picking the correct rope for the right rigs, understanding the limitations of both the person doing the tying, and the person being tied. It's emphasizes safety and communication above all things. Pressure points, and locations where weight and tension should be avoided whenever possible are illustrated. Responsibilities of the Top and the Bottom are covered as well, an added benefit for people unsure what they should or shouldn't point out.
The next few pages cover some basics concerning knots, and the legend key used for the rest of the book. There's also excerpts of real life situations (positive and negative) that have occurred while in the midst of shibari demonstrations and such. There's an emphasis on keeping a positive attitude, and understanding that while precautions can and should be taken not all injuries are 100% avoidable.
One in particular made me chuckle a little when I read it:
"During a Shibaricon class, Dov tied Terri in a hogtie and had her kneeling so the class could see. She fell forward.
"Oof."
"Did I hurt you?"
"No, sir. Floor hurt me."(Land 15)"
It illustrates that mistakes happen even with the best of us, and a nice calm way to handle said mishaps as well.
Half the book covers safety, knots, basic ties and frictions, and helps you to get familiar with what the back half of the book covers - Harnesses, positions, origins of some Shibari poses, and different ways you can do them to add your own flair. It's only 95 pages long, but there's a lot of information packed into the full color, well illustrated and plainly written book.
For people who've been tying other people up for years you're probably not going to get much out of this at all, but for anyone who's struggling with where to start, this book is awesome. It's really good for people just starting in bdsm in general as well. It's not a relationship guide, but the pointers, tips, and information applies in a lot of situations, not just rope scenes. (i.e. having water, blankets and pillows handy for post-scene cuddles!)
I honestly didn't realize I had so much to say about the one book on it's own! I'll review the others later, but for now, sleep ^_^
Especially since they really struck a good chord with me just from reading the first few pages.
The first 17 pages of Complete Shibari Vol 1 are focused on safety. Picking the correct rope for the right rigs, understanding the limitations of both the person doing the tying, and the person being tied. It's emphasizes safety and communication above all things. Pressure points, and locations where weight and tension should be avoided whenever possible are illustrated. Responsibilities of the Top and the Bottom are covered as well, an added benefit for people unsure what they should or shouldn't point out.
The next few pages cover some basics concerning knots, and the legend key used for the rest of the book. There's also excerpts of real life situations (positive and negative) that have occurred while in the midst of shibari demonstrations and such. There's an emphasis on keeping a positive attitude, and understanding that while precautions can and should be taken not all injuries are 100% avoidable.
One in particular made me chuckle a little when I read it:
"During a Shibaricon class, Dov tied Terri in a hogtie and had her kneeling so the class could see. She fell forward.
"Oof."
"Did I hurt you?"
"No, sir. Floor hurt me."(Land 15)"
It illustrates that mistakes happen even with the best of us, and a nice calm way to handle said mishaps as well.
Half the book covers safety, knots, basic ties and frictions, and helps you to get familiar with what the back half of the book covers - Harnesses, positions, origins of some Shibari poses, and different ways you can do them to add your own flair. It's only 95 pages long, but there's a lot of information packed into the full color, well illustrated and plainly written book.
For people who've been tying other people up for years you're probably not going to get much out of this at all, but for anyone who's struggling with where to start, this book is awesome. It's really good for people just starting in bdsm in general as well. It's not a relationship guide, but the pointers, tips, and information applies in a lot of situations, not just rope scenes. (i.e. having water, blankets and pillows handy for post-scene cuddles!)
I honestly didn't realize I had so much to say about the one book on it's own! I'll review the others later, but for now, sleep ^_^
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| http://www.completeshibari.com/ |
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