Things You Should Pay Attention to When Shopping for a Ball Gag
A ball gag is such a basic item – you have a ball attached to some straps. This isn’t exactly the case. While mouth gags are seen as fairly simple, there’s a great variety of models to explore. Here are some of the most important things to pay attention to before buying:
Gag type: A ball gag is the most popular option and it’s the classic design you see depicted in movies and magazines. This is the one that most people will go for. Alternatives do exist, however. A bit gag has a mouth opening piece that resembles a rod (it’s ideal for people who have a smaller mouth or very little experience). There are also didlo gags (with a dildo-shaped piece going inside the mouth or protruding outside). O-ring gags keep the mouth open and can be used for oral sex. Finally, muzzle and harness gags are a bit more fetish-y and they can be used by people who are into pet play or for those who are seeking the ultimate control/submission experience.
Size: A ball gag is meant to be kept in the mouth for a certain amount of time. If you’re not used to having such an item in your mouth, start small. Experience level should always be considered when you’re looking at sex toys. If you’re just making your first steps in the world of BDSM or you want a ball gag as a part of vanilla sex, go smaller. A larger ball will open the mouth too much and it’s going to get uncomfortable in the absence of experience. To give you some idea about ball gag sizing – a small gag measures about 1.5 inches in diameter. Medium is up to 1.75 inches and anything larger than that is considered a large ball gag.
Gag Material: Choosing the right material also depends on your experience level. If you haven’t used a ball gag before, go for something softer and flexible. Medical-grade silicone ball gags are perfect for people like you. Those who already have some experience can choose a harder option like ABS plastic. The most experienced users can try options like metal and leather. They are firmest and they’ll produce the most muffle – the effect that’s being pursued with a ball gag.
Strap material: We’ve discussed the material that the gag itself is made of. Now, let’s talk about straps. Leather, faux leather, vinyl and rubber are commonly used to make the straps. Leather needs to be super soft in order not to cause chafing. Rubber straps are a lot more flexible and they wouldn’t cause such an issue. The only downside is that rubber tends to be a bit less aesthetically-pleasing than leather.
Closure and fastening: The straps of ball gags can usually be adjusted to ensure a proper fit. The type of closure is dependent on experience level, just like the other features of this toy. Beginners will feel most comfortable with a slip fastener. Buckles and locks are more suitable for intermediate and experienced users. These will keep the jaw and the mouth very open and in a position that cannot be changed until a dom decides to do so.
Consider a breathable ball gag: As the name suggests, a breathable ball gag has holes in it. Such a design makes it possible to breathe through the mouth. Breathable ball gags are great for beginners and casual users. They can also be considered a suitable choice whenever nose breathing isn’t an optimal possibility. It’s not a good idea to use a ball gag if you have a stuffy nose and a breathable ball gag shouldn’t be considered in those scenarios. Still, it has its advantages that make it more comfortable and appealing to many people.
Hardware placement: When looking at ball gag designs, pay attention to where the metal hardware is located. It should be placed in a way that doesn’t make it uncomfortable. Make sure that the metal pieces aren’t pressuring sensitive spots on your face (if that isn’t your thing). Also, smaller pieces of hardware are better as far as comfort is concerned.
Taste and smell: Avoid ball gags made of cheap materials and plastics that aren’t typically utilized for sex toy making. Medical-grade silicone, metal and leather don’t have a weird taste or smell. If you choose cheaper materials, you could end up with something that has a very synthetic odor and taste in your mouth.
Ease of cleaning: Ball gags need to be cleaned after each single use, just like all other sex toys. The mouth is filled with various bacteria. You don’t want those colonizing your favorite sex accessory. Medical-grade silicone and metal are non-porous materials. As such, they don’t harbor bacteria and are easy to clean. If you choose a leather ball gag, pay attention to the care and cleaning instructions that the manufacturer provides you with.
And here’s one final word of warning – if you want to muffle someone during sex or have yourself muffled, don’t use scarves and pieces of fabric. These are very soft and can easily get deep inside the throat. Such DIY gags increase the risk of suffocation and should never be used. A properly designed ball gag is the safest choice and you should invest in one if you’re serious about trying BDSM.