This week's post is on Ball gags. I have been answering some questions for a couple of customers the past week and half, so decided to consolidate and provide my answers here for others.
Most important I list some things to check for when you purchase a ball gag or if you are having jaw problems. Note, if nothing helps then most likely a medical issue, which should be checked out and then Ball Gags at least should be avoided. possibly any gags.
Size In an earlier post I covered determining Ball size and provided a guide to recommended sizing. Always with the caveat, EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT. Getting the size correct is very important. Too Large and you can end up with jaw problems. Interestingly too small and you can also end up with jaw problems, although less likely.
For straps the size is really only important in terms of how much it might cut in, although getting the correct size for the person's head is important. The most common problem is someone outside the average range of a strap. It is the reason we offer a short, regular, long and extra long strap size and then custom sizes on top of that.
As to width... I happen to use 3/4"wide straps for the medium sizes but others use 5/8 or even 1/2" width. And then of course there are the flat straps going into a round hole, often bending in the worst direction for the person wearing it. Some use a narrower strap for the ball and then a ring and then a wider strap for the rest. The problem with the ring version is usually the ball can't come off unless they use snaps or Chicago screws (AKA screw rivets). As an in between though I have a tapered strap which is thinner at the ball and widens out past the mouth going to the buckle.
Straps other factors: So big issue is straps leaving marks or biting in. There are three reasons this could occur.
The first is the most obvious, the strap is too tight. It can happen if the strap holes are not exactly right, but you want the strap on snugly. One solution is a velcro strap (I don't offer those) or a double D-ring buckle (which I do offer). Both of those can be gotten out of easier though than a regular buckled strap.
The second reason is the strap was not edged, this is very common with cheap store bought ball gag straps. Quality straps should be rounded off on the edges in at least some fashion to minimize this problem.
The Third reason is width of strap. Once again like ball size, too large or too small of a width of strap can cause problems. This one is trickier and basically requires someone to just try out different widths of straps.
A note on ball extensions into straps, the kind that look like someone pulled some of the material out of the ball to make the initial part of the strap. These are in theory very good as they are rounded off strap at the mouth. The catch though is that as of the time of writing this I know of no material that is food-grade or better medical grade silicone that can resist the back teeth of a human. That means that you will be able to bite through the material. Unless they have some other form of support on the inside of the extension this is a serious risk of gagging when one side goes and the ball drop deeper into mouth/throat. It adds considerably to the cost to add that insert using medical grade silicone, which is why I don't offer them at this time.
Material
BALLS:
So first off, I can't recommend anything but Silicone and recommend at least food grade silicone at a minimum. Rubber is not safe for humans over time as it is slightly porous from a medical standpoint, while plastic can be okay, it contains other materials not good and will deteriorate fairly quickly over time, plus hard plastic is hard on the mouth and the teeth. So generally silicone balls are best.
Some silicones contain latex, so if allergic to latex (about 10% of the human population), which type you get is important. Food-Grade means that although it may have latex or other impurities it will not pass those onto other things held against the material. Medical-Grade means that it is safe for humans and contains no latex or other materials that may cause an allergic reaction. Sometimes called USP class VI material in the USA. Usually a medical-grade silicone can be sterilized. Food grade sometimes, non-specific silicone material may have components which will not make it safe to sterilize. (The balls we sell are medical-grade class VI (or in the case of Gold colorant higher) you can soak them in bleach or bake them at over 450 f with no problem (autoclaves typically work at around 275 f) )
STRAPS: So straps also come in a variety of materials. I use a chrome tanned leather for my default, although I also have a PVC Rubber, and finally a Food-Grade Synthetic material available. The chrome tanned leather I use has the advantage of some coating on it to provide water (and thus saliva) resistance, so the strap will last longer. In addition the tanning process makes it a bit denser thus stronger without hurting flexibility. The only negative other than it is leather, is occasionally some of the dye is not fixed as well as it should be, but this usually is only an issue the first couple times it is worn.
The PVC rubber straps I offer, I can't confirm they have no latex, but I have never had a reaction to them and I am mildly allergic to latex. The negative to PVC Rubber is it is easier to eventually bite through, but it is water proof and home dishwasher safe (note some industrial dishwashers use a temperature that is high enough to cause problems.
The synthetic material was created by another company specifically to work as close as possible as a substitute for leather. It is a touch stiffer than either the leather or the PVC, but comes rounded at the edges so still remains fairly comfortable. It has a strong webbing molded into it, so not easy to bite through without a lot of warning. It is also the only version I know of that is at least food-grade level safe for humans and contains no latex will not qualify for medical grade only because while it is marginally dish-washer safe, that is not hot enough for sterilization.
Squishy-ness
So a final topic for this post is on how soft/squishy to get a ball. The technical term we use is Shore A Durometer measurement. While we have tried to pick an optimum amount for MOST humans (which is a durometer of about 43*), Again this falls into the everyone is different. Some folks need it softer and some folks are not happy unless it is bowling ball hard. If it is too hard though it may cause issuesandbecomeuncomfortable on the upper pallet of the mouth. If too soft, you can get the same problems as if the ball was too small and end up with jaw soreness if not problems. If unsure of what you need look for a ball that has some give, but not too much. I usually aim for about 1/4" of give on the ball (interestingly no matter the size, that seems about right).
*=Note that some of the very large balls we sell have a target durometer of 35 specifically to make them easier to get in and out of mouths without causing them to be too soft.
Details: Model in the pictures is "Nala Fierce".
Reblogged
Sent!
This blog contains adult content. In order to view it freely, please log in or register
and confirm you are 18 years or older
BALL GAGS
This week's post is on Ball gags. I have been answering some questions for a couple of customers the past week and half, so decided to consolidate and provide my answers here for others.
Most important I list some things to check for when you purchase a ball gag or if you are having jaw problems. Note, if nothing helps then most likely a medical issue, which should be checked out and then Ball Gags at least should be avoided. possibly any gags.
Size
In an earlier post I covered determining Ball size and provided a guide to recommended sizing. Always with the caveat, EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT.
Getting the size correct is very important. Too Large and you can end up with jaw problems. Interestingly too small and you can also end up with jaw problems, although less likely.
For straps the size is really only important in terms of how much it might cut in, although getting the correct size for the person's head is important. The most common problem is someone outside the average range of a strap. It is the reason we offer a short, regular, long and extra long strap size and then custom sizes on top of that.
As to width...
I happen to use 3/4"wide straps for the medium sizes but others use 5/8 or even 1/2" width. And then of course there are the flat straps going into a round hole, often bending in the worst direction for the person wearing it. Some use a narrower strap for the ball and then a ring and then a wider strap for the rest. The problem with the ring version is usually the ball can't come off unless they use snaps or Chicago screws (AKA screw rivets). As an in between though I have a tapered strap which is thinner at the ball and widens out past the mouth going to the buckle.
Straps other factors:
So big issue is straps leaving marks or biting in. There are three reasons this could occur.
The first is the most obvious, the strap is too tight. It can happen if the strap holes are not exactly right, but you want the strap on snugly. One solution is a velcro strap (I don't offer those) or a double D-ring buckle (which I do offer). Both of those can be gotten out of easier though than a regular buckled strap.
The second reason is the strap was not edged, this is very common with cheap store bought ball gag straps. Quality straps should be rounded off on the edges in at least some fashion to minimize this problem.
The Third reason is width of strap. Once again like ball size, too large or too small of a width of strap can cause problems. This one is trickier and basically requires someone to just try out different widths of straps.
A note on ball extensions into straps, the kind that look like someone pulled some of the material out of the ball to make the initial part of the strap. These are in theory very good as they are rounded off strap at the mouth. The catch though is that as of the time of writing this I know of no material that is food-grade or better medical grade silicone that can resist the back teeth of a human. That means that you will be able to bite through the material. Unless they have some other form of support on the inside of the extension this is a serious risk of gagging when one side goes and the ball drop deeper into mouth/throat. It adds considerably to the cost to add that insert using medical grade silicone, which is why I don't offer them at this time.
Material
BALLS:
So first off, I can't recommend anything but Silicone and recommend at least food grade silicone at a minimum. Rubber is not safe for humans over time as it is slightly porous from a medical standpoint, while plastic can be okay, it contains other materials not good and will deteriorate fairly quickly over time, plus hard plastic is hard on the mouth and the teeth. So generally silicone balls are best.
Some silicones contain latex, so if allergic to latex (about 10% of the human population), which type you get is important.
Food-Grade means that although it may have latex or other impurities it will not pass those onto other things held against the material.
Medical-Grade means that it is safe for humans and contains no latex or other materials that may cause an allergic reaction. Sometimes called USP class VI material in the USA. Usually a medical-grade silicone can be sterilized. Food grade sometimes, non-specific silicone material may have components which will not make it safe to sterilize. (The balls we sell are medical-grade class VI (or in the case of Gold colorant higher) you can soak them in bleach or bake them at over 450 f with no problem (autoclaves typically work at around 275 f) )
STRAPS:
So straps also come in a variety of materials. I use a chrome tanned leather for my default, although I also have a PVC Rubber, and finally a Food-Grade Synthetic material available. The chrome tanned leather I use has the advantage of some coating on it to provide water (and thus saliva) resistance, so the strap will last longer. In addition the tanning process makes it a bit denser thus stronger without hurting flexibility. The only negative other than it is leather, is occasionally some of the dye is not fixed as well as it should be, but this usually is only an issue the first couple times it is worn.
The PVC rubber straps I offer, I can't confirm they have no latex, but I have never had a reaction to them and I am mildly allergic to latex. The negative to PVC Rubber is it is easier to eventually bite through, but it is water proof and home dishwasher safe (note some industrial dishwashers use a temperature that is high enough to cause problems.
The synthetic material was created by another company specifically to work as close as possible as a substitute for leather. It is a touch stiffer than either the leather or the PVC, but comes rounded at the edges so still remains fairly comfortable. It has a strong webbing molded into it, so not easy to bite through without a lot of warning. It is also the only version I know of that is at least food-grade level safe for humans and contains no latex will not qualify for medical grade only because while it is marginally dish-washer safe, that is not hot enough for sterilization.
Squishy-ness
So a final topic for this post is on how soft/squishy to get a ball.
The technical term we use is Shore A Durometer measurement.
While we have tried to pick an optimum amount for MOST humans (which is a durometer of about 43*), Again this falls into the everyone is different. Some folks need it softer and some folks are not happy unless it is bowling ball hard. If it is too hard though it may cause issuesandbecomeuncomfortable on the upper pallet of the mouth. If too soft, you can get the same problems as if the ball was too small and end up with jaw soreness if not problems. If unsure of what you need look for a ball that has some give, but not too much. I usually aim for about 1/4" of give on the ball (interestingly no matter the size, that seems about right).
*=Note that some of the very large balls we sell have a target durometer of 35 specifically to make them easier to get in and out of mouths without causing them to be too soft.
Details: Model in the pictures is "Nala Fierce".