Feathers & Sensory Tools

What are feathers and sensory tools?

Sensory tools are anything used to deliver a specific feeling to the skin: soft, sharp, rough or ticklish. Feathers are the classic example, and the gentlest. A feather tickler drawn across a blindfolded partner's body, with no idea where it will land next, produces anticipation out of all proportion to the touch itself. Fingertip tools and claws do the same with a firmer, scratchier edge. None need strength or special technique, which is why they are the usual first step into kink. Most of this collection is feather ticklers; the rest is a small group of fingertip and claw tools.

Types of feathers and sensory tools

Feather ticklers

From the small Ouch! feather to Sportsheets' ostrich and Starburst ticklers and the Sex and Mischief Shadow, Indica and Enchanted ticklers, these are feathers on a handle. The Peaches N Creame version has a wrist strap, the Sex and Mischief rubber tickler swaps feathers for soft strands, and Master Series makes a vibrating rechargeable silicone feather.

Feather crops, dusters and slappers

Scandal, Boundless, Fetish Fantasy Series Limited Edition and Ouch! make crops with a feather at one end, which let you move between tease and a light tap without changing tools. Fetish Fantasy's Frisky Feather Duster and the Sex and Mischief Feather Slapper are playful, fuller-headed variations.

Sensory fingertips

Sex and Mischief's Sensory Fingertips and Brat Sensory Fingertips slip over the fingers and give each one a textured tip for tracing skin, and the Intimate Play Finger Tingler does a similar job as a single ring. They keep your hands free and your touch unpredictable.

Claws and play rings

Master Series' Talons claw set, its Clawed Sensation stainless steel play rings and Rouge's stainless steel cat claw turn the fingertips into blunt metal points. Dragged slowly they tingle; pressed they bite a little. Think of them as the sharp end of this collection and the step before pinwheels.

How to choose feathers and sensory tools

Think about the range of sensations you want in one session.

• Softness: a large ostrich-style feather is the lightest touch; a small stiff feather or a feather crop is more defined.
• Contrast: alternate feelings by pairing a feather with a claw or textured fingertip rather than buying two feathers.
• Dual-purpose tools: a feather crop or a feather slapper gives you tease and tap in one hand.
• Blindfold first: every tool here works better on a partner who cannot see it coming; add one from our blindfolds and sensory deprivation range.
• Care needs: natural feathers cannot be washed; stainless steel, silicone and rubber tools can.

How to use and care for feathers and sensory tools

Go slowly, vary the pace and let the anticipation do most of the work.

• Agree a check-in word, especially if a blindfold or any restraints are involved, and stop at once if anything hurts or the mood changes.
• Test claws and fingertip tools on your own forearm first, use their own weight rather than pressure, keep them away from the face, neck and broken skin, and clean them before sharing.
• With a feather crop, warm up gently and aim only at well-padded areas such as the buttocks and thighs.
• Keep feathers dry; shake them out and store them hanging or loose in a drawer so the plumes do not crush.
• Wipe claws, rings, rubber and silicone with warm water and a toy cleaner, and dry metal fully.

Feathers and sensory tools for beginners and couples

If you are curious about kink but not about pain, this is where to start: a feather tickler, a blindfold and a conversation. Couples use feathers to slow things down and build tension; a claw or textured fingertip adds contrast without a learning curve. When you are ready for sharper lines, pinwheels and temperature play are the next step, and the full sensation play range gathers everything together.