I like sexual pain. I like fearing it, trying to escape it, being caught by and fighting against it before feeling that strange mix of acceptance, inevitability and relaxation that comes of the pleasure that cocoons me when I finally yield to it. Of all the implements we have for impact play, nothing hurts quite like the House of Eros Red Leather Martinet.
House of Eros is been a brand I’ve had my eye on for a long time. But I never got around to settling on which piece I wanted to get my paws on first. They make some beautiful looking things, and when I was offered the chance to review for the fabulous Bondage Bunnies, I knew straight away that it was time.
Within a few days, the Red Leather Martinet was in my grasp. As soon as I opened the plastic bag it came packaged in, the scent of leather hit me. Within seconds I was getting little shivers in my chest, realising quickly that just the smell of it had my knickers wet.
Next came the feel of it in my hands. First, the handle. Made from sapele wood, which I confess to never having heard of before, it’s 6.25 inches in length, and perfectly made to fit the contours of the hand. At 3” at the widest point, it’s slim with a slight wave near the top, forming a comfy little nook for the thumb. The Fella says it feels almost made for him.
The handle doesn’t really interest me, though, because I’ll never have to wield the Martinet. What interests me are the six, square cut, deep red leather falls that spout from end. Considering there’s so few of them, you could be forgiven for thinking this would offer a light sensation. It doesn’t. They’re 55cm long and heavy, and when they hit the skin you fucking know about it.
One of the best things about this Martinet is how sharp the falls are. They’re thick and hard, almost like they’ve been starched. Every single edge feels like a thin, dulled blade. And depending on how hard the wielder strikes, it can either feel like a nasty sting or an actual slice.
Blood has been drawn with the Martinet. My hard limits list is very short, but one of the most recent additions is: H.O.E Red Leather Martinet on the backs my thighs – ALL THE NO’S!!! When I do multiple exclamation marks you know I mean business.
After our first session with this thing, the Fella and I had to sit and have a good long talk about what is and isn’t acceptable. Like I said, I enjoy sexual pain, and although it hurts enough to make me cry, I love the way the Martinet makes me feel. It stings, aches, and burns. I can still feel each lash for days after, and that’s great. But almost crying days after because there’s a cut on my back, left butt cheek and both thighs that are scabbing, pulling and bleeding isn’t something I like at all.
Yep, the House of Eros Red Leather Martinet comes with a warning for a reason.
It’s the devil’s scourge, and truly isn’t for the faint hearted. I’ve mentioned many times in the past few years that I really wanted the Fella to find my physical limits when it comes to impact play, and he’s inadvertently found it with the Martinet. I’ve safeworded every single time we’ve used it, so take that to mean it’s either an amazing or horrifying piece of kit, whichever suits your preferences best.
For the one landing the blows, the Martinet is apparently a joy to wield. The Fella says it’s comfortable to hold, easy to swing, and the speed with which it reddens the skin delights him. He loves how the falls leave individual marks, some of them welts and some instant bruises. He dislikes that it breaks my skin, though. Oh, the guilt I had to work through after that first session was intense. Bless his heart.
One half-hearted whack of the Martinet,
self-inflicted just for this review.
It probably doesn’t need saying, but I’ll say it anyway; beginners need to look for something else. The Martinet might look like a mild mannered flogger, but it really is a punishing beast. If you don’t know much about impact play someone will end up getting hurt. However, if you’re a Dominant who knows their shit with a submissive who knows their limits, you could get a lot out of this product. As long as boundaries are clearly understood and respected, there’s a load of fun to be had.
Fancy giving it a go? You can pick one up here, and for a crazily reasonable price, too.
The House of Eros Red Leather Martinet was sent to me by Bondage Bunnies in exchange for an honest review. This in no way influences my opinions, which are now, and will forever be, my own. No affiliate links have been used in this post.
