Using Canes in Impact Play
Canes vary from all sting to mostly sting and come in various sizes and materials, with flexibility and thickness being determining factors in how they feel.
Respondents were asked to rate rattan, carbon fiber, acrylic, delrin, and rubber canes.
This survey had a total of 29 respondents (15 bottoms, 5 Tops, and 9 switches). The same five-point scale used for the general survey was used here (1 to 5, with 1 being ‘all sting’ and 5 being ‘all thud’) and while the percentages tended to be more distributed, we did have a majority on every type of cane.
As with paddles, we provided some specifications for survey respondents.
With the exception of carbon fiber and rubber, the canes were assumed to measure 18" (45.7 cm) long and 1/4" (0.6 cm) thick. The carbon fiber cane was 5/16" (8mm) thick, while the rubber was assumed to be 1/2" (13mm) thick.
The leading stingy material is rattan with an average rating of 1.56. Rubber has the least amount of sting, coming in at around 2.17.
Whilst all the data suggests that the respondents agree on how these various materials feel, delrin (a heavy-duty type of plastic) appears to be a bit of a wildcard. Interestingly, from the perspective of the Tops, delrin is extremely stingy with an average rating of 1.00. Bottoms agree that it is stingy, but perhaps not as much as Tops believe, as demonstrated by the average rating of 1.80.
Regardless of material however, there’s no denying that canes will pack a sting.
We also asked respondents to provide insights on how these ratings might change based on factors of thickness and flexibility.
The majority of respondents agree that regardless of the material, a cane will increase in thud if it’s made thicker. Likewise, each cane’s sting potential is increased with its flexibility.
Lastly, we asked respondents to provide their opinion on the flexibility of each cane on a four point scale: Extremely Flexible (4), Moderate Flexibility (3), Some Flexibility (2), or No Flexibility (1). Rubber provides the most flexibility (though interestingly, it also provides the most thud).
Delrin, carbon fiber, and rattan have some flexibility, and acrylic has practically none at all.
Carbon fiber had the most variance in responses, with Tops rating this material as significantly less flexible than switches and bottoms.
Our recommendation for play: Canes inflict considerable sting; we wouldn’t recommend them for someone who’s into ‘thud’.
That being said, if you could find a thicker one with less flexibility, you might enjoy it more than you think.
