Domination & submission _ the BDSM relationship handbook ( PDFDrive )

Cupping should be avoided by people with infectious skin disorders, heart
disease, circulation problems, blood clots, history of stroke, autoimmune
disorders, or who are unusually susceptible to bruising. There is always a
possibility of breaks in the skin; therefore, your subject should be asked about
any blood-borne disease or infection, and proper precautions should be taken
regarding contact with blood.
Some cupping practitioners strongly recommend that a subject should be wellhydrated
at least several hours prior to a cupping session to ensure that there are
enough fluids in the body to facilitate the proper circulation of blood and the
body’s ability to handle capillary ruptures, bruising and minor clotting that can
occur during and after the procedure.
Knife Play
Knife or blade play is one of those activities which could properly be placed in a
number of different categories of fetish play; however, after giving it a great deal
of thought, I have decided - at least for the purposes of this chapter - to
categorize it as a form of sensation play. After all, it is not just the sensation of a
blade against the skin that makes knife play so interesting, but the associated
sensation of fear. Knife play typically involves various kinds of knives, daggers,
razors, swords, cutters, shears, and scissors.
Knife play scenes can consist of blades being used to create fear, shave pubic or
body hair, cut or scrape the skin, cut away clothing, scrape hardened wax off the
skin, or to poke the subject. Blades may range in sharpness from very dull to
razor sharp, and sometimes two identical blades (one sharp, the other dull) are
used to first create the impression of a dangerously sharp instrument before
switching to the dull blade in subsequent play to reduce the risk of injury. The
critical ingredient in any knife play is always the psychological aspect of the
scene. The proper cultivation and exploitation of anticipation, intimidation,
anxiety, and fear is every bit as important as the blade you use, and the manner
in which you wield it.
Safety concerns regarding knife play are, as one might imagine, a big deal.
Knife play is generally considered a form of edge play; it pushes the boundaries
of what most people consider to be safe. (Contrary to popular belief, edge play
refers to the edginess of the play, rather than the edge of a blade.) The prime
directive of knife play is: Try not to cut anyone unintentionally.