1. How did you guys end up meeting and working together?
At a fetish-themed dance club in 1998, we were both hired independently to tie up women entered in a "model search" contest for a bondage Web site. (By this time, we had each gained our own reputations as skilled bondage riggers, from previous work in photo shoots and public BDSM play.) After rushing to complete ties on almost two dozen models, we were impressed with each other's work. We shared a taste for symmetry and functionality, incorporating decorative knots and clean aesthetics. Soon after that we became fast friends.
2. What got you started in rope bondage?
JD says, "I can't remember a time that I wasn't interested in bondage. Even as a kid I'd take opportunities (like while playing hide-and-seek or cowboy) to tie up my friends or get tied up myself. From then it just progressed into a fun part of my relationships."
Dan says, "I grew up in a family of mountaineers, so I got really good at tying knots very quickly. I spent many summers rock climbing or practicing rappelling by suspending myself from oak trees or garage rafters. Then the first time a girl asked me to tie her up, I knew exactly what to do. I was amazed at how she loved it. I knew then that I was right in my element."
3. Can you tell us a bit about your book, Two Knotty Boys Showing You the Ropes?
From teaching bondage, we learned that showing always beats telling. That's what our book does. Picture hundreds of step-by-step photos and short descriptive captions, detailing how to tie 37 pieces—from essential and decorative knots, to intricate and dynamic rope bondage techniques. Each piece taught in the book takes the reader along as if he or she were attending one of our workshops, learning from us directly.
We took special care to plan and layout the photos so that most pieces are shown on one or two pages, convenient for practicing. It's a great manual for novices and pros alike. We chose to print the photos in black and white—to cut the price of our book in half, making the lessons more accessible to everybody.
The response to the book has been amazing, in the US and beyond. The three of us (including our photographer, Larry Utley) are massively thankful. Given the years it took for us to put the book together, we now know our vision was right for what our readers needed.
4. What has been the most interesting or challenging rig you’ve done?
We’ve rigged so many shoots, for so many years. Still, our most rewarding rig to date would have to be the Lotus Suspension (photographed by Z. Maitri in 2005). Shot at a mansion in Piedmont, California, the piece was a part of a religious iconography series we were working on. It highlighted Z. Maitri's unique “painting with light” photographic effect. The juxtaposition of the model’s beauty, suspended in the lotus position, coupled with Z. Maitri’s mastery of art photography, solidified our move toward more artistic rope bondage.
First thing to remember is that you’re not tying rope, you’re tying people—people with feelings, boundaries and fears. Remembering this is paramount to a successful scene, because aside from maintaining focus and control, tops also need to maintain loving compassion for the persons they’re tying.
Second, both partners need to communicate their boundaries (physical and psychological limits), their fantasies and their expectations for the scene. What does each person enjoy? What turns them off? What "safe word" will they use to call an end to the scene? Will the play involve sex? Such communication can occur days before the scene begins—and throughout the actual scene. Checking in on your partner's circulation and well-being is essential. It's equally important for tops to grant permission (and even insist) that their bottoms inform them in the event of unwelcome pain or a circulation issue during the scene.
Third, tops need to let go of their attachment to perfection. Perfection is a form of suffering. Even if the bondage doesn't go the way you planned, don't let yourself get distracted, insecure or distanced from the person you're tying. Let go of your ego and focus on what’s important—the person you’re tying. Don’t hesitate to loosen, untie or cut the rope if you're asked to. Don't expect things to look perfect the first time. Mastery takes time, patience and practice. Don't take yourself too seriously. Remember to have fun!
6. In your opinion what makes rope bondage such a sexual and sensual experience?
It has different but equally powerful appeals for different people. Some like the obvious element of taking sexual control in a consensual manner. Meanwhile, some people love being tied up for the way it allows them to give up control and actually frees them from being held back by their feelings of sexual guilt or a distracting urge to reciprocate to please their partner. Once they're tied up, they can just relax and enjoy all the attention being focused on them.
Tying and being tied is also a very sensory-awakening experience. Imagine yards of rope being drawn over the skin in a rhythmic caress, or firmly tugged or vigorously tugged. It can feel to some like a continuous hug. It's great for variety. It shows you're creative in bed. It makes great foreplay.
7. What are the most important pieces of gear that you use?
Rope (naturally) and an emergency cutting tool, like safety sheers, bandage scissors or a multi-tool (like Gerber or Leatherman). Perhaps a roll of electrical tape too. Not necessarily for finishing rope ends, but more often for keeping a model's nipples covered (and legal) when playing in public clubs.
8. Hemp, nylon, cotton…which rope do you prefer and why? How important of a role does the rope-type play?
The type of rope depends on the type of bondage you want to do. Traditional Japanese-style bondage techniques use quarter-inch hemp (or jute) rope, which is a stiff, twisted braid, natural brown fiber. Hemp holds knots tightly and doesn’t slip. It also feels very rough and scratchy to the skin. These qualities make it excellent for domination play.
Our typical rope we use is 3/8” nylon, solid braid. This rope is much silkier, so it’s easier to tie and untie, and you can even slip other ropes though its knots. It feels smooth and soft on the skin, making it great for sensual bondage. We like using solid braid because it allows for more intricate knots with lots of twists and bends, knot features that tend to deform twisted-braid rope.
We discourage people from using rope that has a core within a sheath, such as climbing rope or boating line, because it doesn’t allow the tight turns needed for most bondage knots. The worst rope for bondage has to be that yellow plastic rope that’s only good for tying ladders or kayaks on trucks.
9. When you tie up a new bottom what are your first concerns or thoughts?
Since safety is paramount, the first thing we want to consider is whether this person has any injuries, medical conditions or flexibility issues that might limit what, where or how we can tie. Injuries, arthritis, missing limbs—even fresh tattoos—can make us change the way we tie. Beyond that, it’s nice to understand their mindset and what they’re expecting as part of the exchange. If they’re a feisty bottom or a sensation slut, we can tie them equally well—but the same techniques might not work for both of them.
10. What can we expect in the future from Two Knotty Boys?
We have so many more ties to show, which build upon the complexity of what our current book covers. We don't even have time in a workshop to teach our favorite, most complex ties. We'll be offering expanded all-day workshops soon, to delve deeper with more involved techniques. As time permits, we'll also start preparing an advanced book, including more creative functional applications and how to use them in "predicament bondage" and other scenes.
For now, we're doing some workshops on the road. We will be teaching at the Folsom Fringe Festival in San Jose on September 29th and in April at BodyBound 2008 in Seattle. We look forward to arranging visits to other US cities and Germany or the UK, too.
We're also continuing to create how-to videos on knots tying that people will soon be able to download from our site for free. It's our way of spreading the word about rope bondage. Eventually, an instructional workshop-style DVD will be in the works.
Can't get enough? Check out their Social Kink Profile!
 POV Domin… |
 Bitch Sla… |
 Jenna Lov… |
 Under My Ass |
 The Vampires |
 Spittin' … |
 Boy Beater |
 Cindy's C… |
 Fetish Fu… |
