Handcuffs are an element of the bondage, and restrain culture. These are also a prominent accessory in many role-play fantasies like prisoner or policemen fantasies. Handcuffs are a staple item in any fetishists bedroom.
Metallic or police style handcuffs are sometimes used in bondage activities. While this are the ideal subject to most fetishists, the metallic handcuffs are potentially uncomfortable if worn for an extended period of time or if the mood gets too spiced up. Metallic handcuffs were not designed for this purpose, and their use can result in bruises which if not worse but can cause a feeling of embarrassment the next day (or pride and satisfaction, depending on individual preferences).
Bondage cuffs were designed specifically for this application. These are much wider than traditional cuffs, so they won’t leave any marks, but they will definitely restrain. Depending on the cuffs, some are very lushly padded for comfort, some less – but they are all softer than metal.
The difference of cuffs from rope is that while rope can be used to tie your willing partner into various positions as well as to many items, handcuffs can either cuff ones hands together, or one hand to another item and an other set of cuffs.
Bondage cuffs are typically secured to each wrist and ankle, and to each other and other objects depending on the needs of each play. A set of cuffs may be used to create a hogtie, and a pair of ankle cuffs can be used together with thigh-width straps to create a frog-tie. They are typically used in combination with other bondage equipment, such as leg-spreads and ropes.