A cane (as used in BDSM and corporal punishment) is a long, straight wooden stick used for striking the flesh of a person, usually the buttocks, thighs, feet, or palms. Although BDSM canes are often made of bamboo, rattan, or more exotic woods like bloodwood and purpleheart, they can also be found in materials such as fiberglass, nylon, and leather cane. Organic and wooden canes may be left in their natural states or altered. Wood canes may be smoothed, polished, carved, dyed, or varnished while synthetic canes offer a variety of colors and sensations. As a general rule, thin canes produce a stinging surface sensation while thick canes elicit a thud that is felt deeper in the muscles. Any cane, regardless of size or matter, is a serious impact toy and not advised for beginners. We highly recommend reading a few books about caning before attempting to use a cane on a live person. Many local BDSM communities also offer educational classes and live demonstrations focusing on safe, sane, and consensual play.
The cane as an instrument of corporal punishment has roots in two very different cultures. In the United Kingdom, a small thin whipping cane was widely used in classrooms as a means of discipline and correction for unruly children. British caning typically finds the schoolboy bent over a desk, forced to maintain his position or suffer further consequences. The cane strokes are administered with a quick flick of the wrist or forearm. The schoolroom discipline scenario is still one of the more common fantasies enjoyed by many corporal punishment enthusiasts.
In the Orient, a large cane was used for reprimanding criminals. Some countries still practice caning as judicial punishment in conjunction with incarceration, most notably Singapore and Malaysia. The practice of legal corporal punishment became the subject of international debate in 1994 when an American teenager living in Singapore was sentenced to a punishment caning for car vandalism.
In Singapore, a judicial punishment cane is approximately 4 feet long and up to a ½ inch in diameter. Smaller canes are used for juvenile offenders. The wood cane is typically made of rattan and is soaked in water beforehand to prevent cracking or splitting while the punishment is being administered. A specially trained martial artist delivers the cane strokes while the prisoner is strapped onto a frame. The cane strokes are delivered with the force of the entire body, making them extremely heavy. Judicial canings are so severe that it is expected that the skin will break and excessive bleeding will occur. The mutilation of the buttocks results in permanent scarring and immediate medical treatment for the wounds is required.Punishment canes come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials. Although canes used for corporal punishment have traditionally been made of some type of wood or other organic material (Natural), advances in science and technology have provided some very interesting modern alternatives (Synthetics).
As previously noted, caning is serious play and is not for beginners. It is highly recommended that you do some research before attempting to use a cane on a live person. Local and online BDSM communities can be a vast source of information for those looking to learn more about the BDSM Lifestyle and practices.