Japanese Clover Clamps

Originally used by Japanese seamstresses, these gorgeous clamps are some of the most elegant yet sadistic nipple toys available. A pair of spring-hinged jaw clamps are outfitted with cross-shaped hinged mechanisms that causes the clamps to grow tighter and tighter as the connecting chain is pulled on. They are fantastic for attaching to a collar, or for use in predicament bondage. These clamps are not for beginners!  Available in silver or black. These were part of the inspiration for Stockroom.com in developing the Mandible Body Clamps® also available in Black and Silver. These were developed as full body clamps; in turn they can be used on the tongue, nipples, clit, nose or any variation.

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Black Kinklab Mandible™ Body Clamps	Ashley Fires modeling Mandible™ Body Clamps	Guy Modeling Clover Nipple Clamps

History of Japanese Clover Clamps

“Clover Clamps,” also known as “butterfly clamps” or “bird clamps”, are flat metal clamps about 4” long by 2” wide, loaded with a jointed cross or T-shaped spring mechanism. They are typically silver or black. The tips of the clamp are covered in non-slip rubber pads. There is an eyelet at the end of the clamp opposite the jaws where a cord or chain can be attached. The mechanism is activated by pulling on this cord or chain, which draws the jaws of the clamp closer together to create increased tension.

These clamps are of Japanese design and were originally used by Japanese fisherman as sail clamps. In modern times, this tool is commonly used in conjunction with a tabletop clamp as an aid for keeping fabric taut during hand sewing. These clamps are known as かけ針 kakehari (literally “suspension hook”)in Japanese. They are frequently called “clover clamps” in English because many of them are manufactured by the “Clover” sewing notions company in Japan (http://www.clover.co.jp/). The clamps manufactured by Clover incorporate a four-leaf clover design into the eyelet portion of the clamp.

When used for sewing, a clover clamp is anchored to a secondary tabletop clamp affixed to flat surface by a chain or a cord attached to the eyelet. The clover clamp is then clipped to fabric to hold it stable during hand sewing kimono, quilts or other time-consuming projects.  The table clamps used in conjunction with clover clamps were historically decorated with a statuette of a bird, which is why clover clamps are sometimes also called “bird clamps,” though in reality these are two separate types of clamps. These cleverly-designed clamps have been adopted by the BDSM community as “pervertables” (common objects re-purposed for kinky play) in recent years. They are most frequently used for nipple torture, although they can be applied to other body parts as well. Clover clamps for BDSM use are typically sold in pairs connected by a chain. When the chain is pulled, the clamps tighten. These clamps produce a very intense sensation when applied to the body and are recommended for users who have prior experience with clamps.

Clover clamps are not “beginner” clamps and may be too intense for some submissives to tolerate. Use your judgment regarding whether this is an appropriate toy for your submissive’s pain tolerance and experience level. Clover clamps are primarily used for breast/nipple torture. They can also be placed on the skin of the breasts, upper arms, inner thighs, lips, earlobes, female labia, shaft of penis, loose skin on the male scrotum, and so forth. It is best to apply them to a dry, clean skin so they don’t accidentally slip off. It can be extremely painful for the submissive if the clamps accidentally slip off, as well as frustrating for the dominant.

To use clover clamps on nipples, pinch the sides of the clamp to open the jaws of the clamp. Hold the nipple taut, and place the clamp as far down on the nipple as possible for a firm grip. You may need to adjust the clamps accordingly depending on the size and firmness of the recipient’s nipples. For smaller nipples, it may be easier to pinch onto the skin of the areola as well as the nipple for a firm grip. Alternately, it may be easier to place the clamps on larger nipples when the nipples are not erect, as the tissue will be more flexible and easier to grip. Placing the clamp further towards the tip of the nipple will be extremely painful as the tension is less evenly-distributed across the skin, and the clamp will be more likely to accidentally slip off. (You may choose to place the clamps closer to the end of the nipples to intentionally inflict this sort of intense pain, but this is not recommended for first time use.)

You can “warm up” your submissive’s nipples to receive clamps by squeezing and pinching them with your fingers prior to applying the clamps. You can also “build up” to the clover clamps by using a lighter-intensity clamp for a few minutes beforehand. You can experiment with applying ice or warming/mentholated lotion to the nipples before applying the clamps for another layer of sensation (take care to completely dry off the nipples before applying the clamps). The ice will tend to numb the sensation somewhat, while the warming lotion will intensify it.

 The submissive will mostly likely feel a burst of intense pain at the time that the clamps are first applied, which will become more of a dull throbbing ache as the nipples adjust to the pressure of the clamps. Once the recipient has adjusted to the sensation, there are many ways the clamps can be manipulated to create a variety of sensations. Tugging on the chain will tighten the clamps and increase the pinching sensation. The clamps themselves can be flicked or tugged on, or you can push the nipple into the breast by twisting the clamps to intensify pain.  Weights can be attached to the clamps or the chain to increase pressure. Different sensations can be transmitted through the clamps by applying ice, a vibrator or an electric violet wand, which will send a safe electrical current to any part of the metal clamp that touches skin, creating a “zapping” sensation. (Electricity will not be transmitted directly to the nipples if the clamps have rubber tips.)

Clover clamps can be used in conjunction with other types of breast and nipple torture, such as slapping, caning, or flogging the breasts (take care that the flogger tassles don’t get tangled with the clamps and  chain or accidentally pull them off), applying clothes pins, a wartenberg wheel, or play piercing needles to the skin of the breasts. During breast bondage, ropes can be as an attachment point for pulling on the chain as the submissive moves. Clover clamps be applied and left on while other type of play takes place, such as spanking, whipping or flogging other parts of the body, sexual play, and so forth. Using blindfolds and other sensory deprivation aids can also intensify playing with clover clamps.
Clover clamps can be used in predicament bondage by connecting the chain to a secondary attachment point. The clamps can be affixed to wrist cuffs (limiting movement of the arms) or a gag or collar (forcing the breasts upwards); to an attachment point on a wall or a piece or furniture, or even to another person (for example you could use two pairs of clamps to attach a pair of submissives by the nipples). If the submissive moves, the tension on the chain increases and the clamps will become tighter, forcing the sub to stay still or endure an uncomfortable position even while being tickled or tortured.  The chain can be attached to or used as a “leash,” where a dominant leads the submissive by the clamps and they are forced to follow.

The pain will intensify once again when the clamps are removed, as blood rushes back into the nipples. If you wish to make the experience more tolerable for the submissive, you can instruct them to breathe out as you slowly remove the clamps. Sadistic dominants can experiment with different ways of removing the clamps to maximize pain, such as pulling on the nipple while slowly opening the jaws, or yanking them off quickly for an intense sensation.