Canes & Caning

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Introduction

Canes are a versatile and effective tool used to provide sensation to oneself or one’s partner. The sensation will vary depending on how the cane is used but most often it will provide a stingy or sharp sensation.

Most of the canes we carry are made of rattan, which is a type of tropical vine. What makes rattan (unlike say, bamboo) such a great material for a sex toy is that it is springy, vibrant, and durable (if well taken care of), and therefore excellent for percussion play. As an added bonus, because our rattan canes are locally made from a natural renewable material and finished with a wax paste rather than a varnish or sealant, it is a uniquely eco-friendly toy. 


Keeping Your Cane Happy and Healthy

Canes work best if they are kept straight (which is not to say that they can’t also be kinky!) and sufficiently hydrated. If you stick with the simple tips below, your cane can last decades (now, that’s good value!)


How to Keep It Straight

It's important to keep your cane as straight as possible so that you can aim and place it accurately; what’s more, you want it to remain flexible so that it can achieve just the right amount of snappiness and stingyness. A curved or bent cane cannot reliably achieve these goals. The best way to keep your cane straight is to lay it flat on the ground or hang it from a hook (the back of a bathroom door is particularly effective, see below). If you have more than one cane (or cane-like object), you can bind them together with some elastic bands so that they will keep each other on the straight and narrow. What you DO NOT want to do is lean your cane in the corner of a room or stuff it in a cabinet where it will bend over time.

If you find that your cane has developed a slight bend, gently stretch it in the opposite direction by grasping both ends of the cane with your fingers and bending gently. You may want to warm your cane slightly first - a hair dryer works well here although note the hydration tips below. The key is to not only warm, but also bend your cane slowly and gradually.


How to Keep it Hydrated

You will want to keep your cane well hydrated because a dry and brittle cane is less springy, changing the sensation it is meant to provide. A dry and brittle cane is also more likely to break. The most effective way to keep your cane hydrated is to allow it to soak up moisture in a gradual way. We recommend hanging your cane on the back of your bathroom door while you take a shower, or in a room where you use a humidifier. It is good to keep in mind that the more often you use an air conditioner or a heater, the drier your cane will become.


Some Tips for Cane Play

As with most things, the best advice we have about incorporating a cane into your play is to start light, get feedback, and then go from there. Concentrate on the speed and accuracy with which you use your cane, rather than the force. In other words, it’s all in the wrist! If at some point you want to increase the sensation you may want to consider adding more strokes, before you add more force.

If you are looking to create light sensation for the person being caned, have them lie down on a massage table or bed, allowing their muscles to remain loose and relaxed. This positioning also allows the person holding the cane to see and adjust the angle and tip placement of the cane, resulting in improved control and accuracy. If you are looking for maximum sensation, one possibility is to have the person being caned bend over. This position allows the skin and muscles to stretch and elongate which will result in a much more intense sensation.


Know where you’re aiming for!

Not all parts of the body are safe for hitting; generally you want to hit more on flesh and not on bone. This means usually bums and thighs are good spots, whereas knees, elbows, and temples are not. You also want to be sure to avoid potentially damaging internal organs which means avoiding the lower back and stomach. Use common sense and know your partner’s body!

Make sure to hit your target! It’s not enough to know where to aim if you don’t have the control to make sure that is where you end up hitting. This means practice is key! You can practice on a pillow, or a spot on the wall. You want to be able to control not only where you hit but how hard. When you are ready to move from the pillow to a partner, remember to go slow – start light and work your way up, making sure to stay within you and your partner's comfort zone.

Generally, canes are most effective when using quick flicks, aiming for impact in the skin instead of the deep muscle impacts you would do with paddles. Try to strike with the end of the cane for the most speed and flat against the target, not angled.

Don’t forget the aftercare!

 

Last updated: May 23rd, 2026