BDSM is an incredibly broad field, and one of the acts you can find on its wilder, kinkier side is flogging. The philosophy behind this act is that inflicting pain can actually lead to immense pleasure. It’s very similar to whipping – the only difference is the tool being used.

Floggers are the toys of choice for this act, and they’re not exclusive to experienced BDSM couples. Even those who are new to this world of bondage and kink can safely practice flogging – as long as they take the necessary precautions. Do you dare to upgrade your play with a flogger?

What is a flogger?

The flogger is technically the sister of the BDSM whip when it comes to functionality. They’re both used to hit a part of the body with some level of force – in line with “impact play,” the BDSM practice that involves spanking and hitting.

But, the difference between these tools lies in their appearance. Whips usually have a single flat surface for the tip, while floggers have multiple tails of long leather fronds or tresses.

Floggers are typically in the hands of the dominant partner, while the submissive partner would be on the receiving end. Both women and men can be dominants or submissives – it’s all up to you and your partner on what you decide for your play.

What are the different types of floggers?

Floggers come in a wide variety of materials and fabrics, each bringing a different sensation. To better understand the basics of a flogger, here’s a handy guide of all that you need to know.

SENSATION: STING OR THUD?

Generally speaking, there are two kinds of sensation that you’ll get from a flogger: it’s either a sting or a thud. A sting is a sharp sensation that fades eventually, while a thud is a duller and more forceful sensation.

Before you purchase a flogger, think about what kind of sensation you want: do you want something sharp yet fleeting or something deeper and more forceful?

UNBALANCED VS. BALANCED

When you’re shopping for a flogger, you might come across the terms “unbalanced” and “balanced.” Simply put, a balanced flogger features a handle that offsets the weight of the fronds or falls. The balance point then is at the inside leading edge of the handle, and as a result, there’s less stress on your wrist.

On the other hand, an unbalanced flogger doesn’t have this feature. Because of this, the odd weight distribution will cause arm fatigue.

With that said, balanced floggers are undoubtedly ideal, especially for longer play sessions, but they also usually come at a higher price point.

THE TYPES OF LEATHER (OR OTHER NON-LEATHER ALTERNATIVES)

The feel of a flogger depends highly on the materials used. You can even feel the difference between several kinds of leather. Here are a few examples of typical materials used on floggers and what they feel like.

• Suede: soft and flexible; a nice thud with a bit of a sting
• Oiled leather: stiff; moderate to severe sting
• Deer skin: thin, lightweight, and soft; very light thud with practically no sting
• Elk: soft like suede, but thicker than a cowhide; medium thud and light sting
• Buffalo: very heavy and thick; deep thud with little sting
• Rabbit: softer than deer skin; light thud and light sting

Leather isn’t the only material used for floggers. For vegan alternatives, producers use nylon, rubber, and rope — the list is endless.

With that said, a good rule of thumb is that you check what kind of materials are used on the floggers you’re eyeing and do some research on what they feel like. It’s even better if you get hands-on experience so that you can really feel for yourself and test the flogger’s thud and sting capabilities.

How do I use a flogger?

Before incorporating this tool into your bedroom routine, you first need to know how to use it to avoid unwanted injuries.

THE TWO BASIC TECHNIQUES: SINGLE STROKE AND CYCLIC FLOGGING

There are two basic techniques that you can use: single stroke and cyclic flogging. Single-stroke flogging involves one single stroke at a time — the moment the leather strands fall and hit your partner, you can prepare for the next stroke. Meanwhile, cyclic flogging refers to a series of strokes that follow the first. This particular technique is done to create a more rhythmic pattern.

A good rule of thumb is to vary your strokes so that you can avoid unnecessary pain or build anticipation. So, feel free to use a single stroke, pause, then go for a series of strokes before pausing once again. Make sure to communicate with your partner to ensure that they’re all right.

USE THE FLOGGER TO TEASE

The leather fronds of this tool are soft on the skin when not used to strike, so you can definitely utilize the flogger for teasing. In fact, it’s a good idea to use it for teasing in between strokes so that your partner will be on the edge of their seat, waiting for your next move. This will also allow you to take a short break from flogging, which requires a lot of effort and energy.

So, take the time to lightly caress your partner’s erogenous zones using the flogger’s leather tails.

KNOW WHICH AREAS OF THE BODY TO HIT

One of the key rules of using a flogger is to know which areas of the body you can hit and which ones you should avoid at all costs. The flogger is a formidable device, and if you use it to strike the wrong body part, it can lead to serious injury.

To avoid this from happening, you should never hit the following body parts:

• Face
• Head
• Neck
• Fingers
• Toes
• Skin that’s still healing
• The kidney area (around three to five inches above the buttocks line)

Instead, you should aim your flogger at your partner’s back, buttocks, or other fleshier parts of their body. For more variety, here are other areas that you can hit – but make sure to only strike these lightly:

• Lower legs
• Breasts
• Genitals
• Arms
• Upper shoulders (for reasons of accuracy)
• Ribs
• The muscular ridge on both sides of the spine (for reasons of accuracy)
• Top of the butt near the spine

Sexpert Advice to Consider Before Using a Flogger

Understandably, flogging is an intimidating activity — but it doesn’t have to be if you take certain precautions in mind. Here are our additional tips to ensure you have a fun flogging experience.

COMMUNICATION AND CONSENT

No matter what BDSM play you’re doing, getting each other’s consent is the first thing you have to do. So, before you get to use the flogger, you and your partner should sit down and have a serious conversation first. Talk about what your expectations are — how strong you want the flogging to be, where you want to be hit, and what your limits are. Once you’ve established your boundaries, you and your partner should agree on a safe word — something you can say during the act to stop.

DO A WARM-UP.

Before officially starting, why not do a warm-up first? Doing so will allow your body to prepare for what’s to come so that when the moment finally arrives, you won’t get shocked with pain. One thing you can do for this is to have a few test lashings before the act.

AVOID WRAPPING.

When it comes to flogging, wrapping is a big no-no. Simply put, wrapping is what happens when the tips of the fronds wrap around a curved part of your body. The fronds gain speed and force when they wrap around the body, and that can cause pain like no other and leave marks.

To avoid this from happening, you have to make sure to aim the tips on the spot you’re planning to hit. It sounds tricky, and that’s why it’s a good idea to practice beforehand. Try flogging on a pillow first — that way, you can train yourself to properly aim the tails.

Again, always aim for the fleshier parts of the body. Never ever hit spots near vital organs, such as kidneys.

AFTERCARE IS A MUST.

Aftercare is a must for BDSM activities — and it’s especially necessary when you’re using a flogger. Once you’re done for the night, the dominant should take the time to take care of the submissive partner. Address any physical pains or sore spots that they got during the act. Apply lotion, necessary ointment, or band-aids if needed. A satisfying massage can also be great for soothing the muscles.

Our Recommendations

Are you excited to try out flogging for pleasure? If so, you need to make sure you have a high-quality flogger ready at your fingertips. Here’s a curated list of floggers that we highly recommend.

OBEI THE PRETENDER LEATHER FLOGGER

With extra long fronds, the Obei The Pretender Leather Flogger can deliver thrilling lashes like no other. Additionally, it’s made with vegan leather, so not only is it good for you, but it’s also good for the environment.

OBEI THE DICTATOR LEATHER WHIP

The Obei The Dictator Leather Whip features a bold and daring design: the firm leather handle flows seamlessly into the flexible leather body and the flat leather fronds. Because of this, this accessory is the ideal choice if you want to delve into darker and kinkier erotic fantasies.

OBEI THE EXPLORER INTERCHANGEABLE FUR AND FLOGGER

With the Obei The Explorer Interchangeable Fur and Flogger, you get two BDSM accessories for the price of one. At one end, you can use the tip to tickle and tease your partner, while the other end is used for flogging.

OBEI BEGINNER’S LEATHER FLOGGER

Featuring a straightforward design, the Obei Beginner’s Leather Flogger is a great selection for couples who are new to BDSM. It’s also made with vegan leather, so it’s safe for the environment.

OBEI THE ARTIST LEATHER FLOGGER

With the Obei The Artist Leather Flogger, you get to whip your partner — or be whipped if you’re the submissive — in style. It features a flat leather fringe and an O-ring connection that lets you grim the flogger firmly. At 220 grams, this flogger is also lightweight and portable, so you can be kinky even when you’re traveling.

OBEI THE PURSUADER DELUXE LEATHER FLOGGER

The Obei The Pursuader Deluxe Leather Flogger comes with soft leather fronds and an easy-grip handle. The fronds are soft to the touch, but at the same time, they can deliver a thrilling sting if needed.

OBEI THE PURSUER LEATHER FLOGGER

With flat leather fronds, the Obei The Pursuer Leather Flogger can bring about tender caresses and exciting lashes, so don’t hesitate to alternate between teasing and punishing your partner.

OBEI THE TROUBLEMAKER LEATHER FLOGGER

The Obei The Troublemaker Leather Flogger comes with dual-sided fronds, so it can deliver hard yet satisfying thwacks. Because of this, this flogger is a daring accessory for all kinds of bondage plays.

OBEI THE KEEPER LEATHER FLOGGER

If you’re looking for a beginner-friendly flogger to add to your collection, then Obei The Keeper Leather Flogger is a must-have. Its leather fronds are soft and bendable, and it’s also travel-friendly since it’s only 41 cm long and weighs 200 grams.

Frequently Asked Questions

HOW DO I USE A FLOGGER?

You wield a flogger mainly to strike your partner, but it can also be used to stroke and tickle. In fact, experts recommend that you diversify your moves when using a flogger — use it to graze on your partner’s skin, then when they’re at the edge of their seat, spank them.

For a safe and pleasurable experience, the flogger should be mostly aimed at the submissive partner’s back, buttocks, or other fleshier parts of their body. Never use a flogger to hit someone’s face, head, neck, fingers, toes, skin that’s still healing, or spots near vital organs such as the kidneys.

HOW DO I PICK THE RIGHT FLOGGER FOR ME?

First, consider the things mentioned in the “What are the different types of floggers?” section. Think about the different materials used when making floggers and how these materials dictate the flogger’s force and impact. Consider how long you want your flogger to be and what your budget is.

Or you can simply choose the flogger based on your aesthetic preferences. The choice is entirely up to you.

HOW DO I TAKE CARE OF MY FLOGGER?

To ensure that your flogger will last you a long time, a specific storage plan can be your best friend. The recommended way is that you store the flogger with its strands laid out flat. You can do this by laying them flat on a surface or hanging them from a hook or something. Many floggers come with a loop at the handle, so you can use this to hang the flogger.

Another thing you should consider is to clean and condition the strands — especially if they’re made of real leather. Using a leather conditioner will ensure that your leather flogger will last a long time.

Did you know?

Floggers are actually available in the Philippines — thanks to our sex shop! Here at NOTI.ph, we believe that all women should have the chance to explore their sexuality without guilt or stigma. That’s why we aim to offer as many adult accessories as possible, and that includes floggers.

If you want to check out our offerings, you can find the famed accessories under the “Floggers” catalog on our site.

Every package can be delivered directly to your doorstep. We guarantee discreet packaging without reference to the parcel's contents or our brand name. The only one who will be excited about the parcel is you!