Ticklers

What are ticklers?

A tickler is a tool designed to tease rather than press. The classic version is a feather tickler: a handle with soft feathers that you draw across your partner's skin to build anticipation, often while they are blindfolded or wearing restraints. Because the touch is so light, the body stays alert and waiting for the next stroke, which is exactly the point. This collection keeps to real ticklers: feather wands, a rubber tickler, a wrist-worn feather, feather crops and dusters that put a feather on one end and a crop on the other, and one vibrating silicone feather.

Types of ticklers

Feather ticklers

Sex and Mischief's Shadow, Indica and Enchanted feather ticklers, Sportsheets' ostrich, Starburst and Pleasure feathers, the Fifty Shades of Grey Tease tickler, the Ouch! feather tickler and the In A Bag tickler are soft, light and easy to handle. Ostrich plumes are long and floaty, while starburst styles spread into a fuller, fluffier head.

Wrist and rubber ticklers

The Sex and Mischief Peaches N Creame wrist feather tickler slips over the hand, leaving fingers free for touch at the same time. The Sex and Mischief rubber tickler swaps feathers for soft, flexible strands that feel a little firmer and are easy to wipe clean.

Feather crops, dusters and slappers

The Ouch! crop with feather tickler, the Scandal Be Naughty, Boundless and Fetish Fantasy Limited Edition feather crops and the Sex and Mischief feather slapper put a soft feather on one end and a firmer crop or slapper on the other, so you can alternate tease and tap without changing tools. Fetish Fantasy's Frisky Feather Duster is the playful, full-headed version.

A vibrating silicone tickler

Master Series' The Tickler is a rechargeable silicone feather with a motor in the handle, so the fronds buzz as they brush the skin. It can also be washed, which real feathers cannot. If powered toys interest you, our vibrators range has far more choice.

How to choose ticklers

Start by deciding how light you want the touch to be.

• Feel: Ostrich feathers are the softest; starburst heads cover more skin; rubber strands feel slightly firmer.
• Hands free: A wrist tickler lets you tease and touch at once, which suits massage-style play.
• Dual function: A feather crop gives two sensations in one tool and suits couples exploring light impact play.
• Build quality: Check that feathers are well secured to the handle so they do not shed during play.
• Cleaning: Feathers must stay dry, so choose the rubber tickler or the silicone feather if easy washing matters to you.

How to use and care for ticklers

Go slow and unpredictable: trail the feathers along the neck, inner arms, stomach, back and thighs, pausing between strokes and changing direction. Combine with a blindfold from blindfolds and sensory deprivation so your partner cannot guess where the next touch will land.

• Keep feathers dry; shake or dust them off and store them hanging or flat so they keep their shape.
• Wipe handles, rubber ticklers and the silicone feather with a damp cloth or a mild toy cleaner and let them air dry.
• With a feather crop, warm up gently and aim only at well-padded areas such as the buttocks and thighs.
• Agree on a check-in word before any sensation or impact play.

Ticklers for beginners and couples

A feather tickler is one of the friendliest ways into sensation play: it is soft, inexpensive and very hard to misuse. Couples who want to go further can add a feather crop, or pair a feather with light cuffs for a slow, teasing scene. For sharper contrast, pinwheels and the wider feathers and sensory tools range sit alongside. Whichever direction you take, slow down, pay attention to reactions and let anticipation do most of the work.