A few days ago the postman handed me a parcel: a thin poster tube with something rattling inside. Now, I know what normally comes in poster tubes, but I didn’t remember Abel telling me about buying any implements.

Curiosity burning, I peeled off the tape, prized off the lid, and into my hand slid a peculiar-looking toy. It was a very thin plastic rod with a cord tongue on the end, similar to a dressage whip, though clearly made to use on humans. The thick handle was inscribed with the name: VibraWhip. I also saw a button, which made me realise that this thing a) wanted batteries, b) was pretty weird as far as whips go.

We experimented with it last night. I lay face-down on the bed, and Abel lightly lashed me, first as with a normal plastic whip, then with the buzzing switched on. It’s a pretty pleasant toy, if you like biting sting (and I seemed in the mood for it), though the vibrations add nothing to the impact. Having it drawn over my skin was also vaguely pleasant – more so on the particularly sensitive bits, naturally. Mostly it’s just weird, though.

I could see it being a useful sort of implement in a long sensation-based scene, with the recepient suitably prepared with a variety of other toys – a bit like a pin-wheel, which is not much by itself, but can do a number of exciting things on a caned behind. I can’t see getting much out of the buzzy whip on its own, but I could see it slotting nicely into the rest of our arsenal.

If we figure out the best use for it, I shall report further.