Sado-Masochism

Cutting

Using a knife or sharp object to create cuts on the skin, requiring extreme caution and consent. Short Explanation: "Receiving" means you experience controlled cutting; "Giving" means you perform the cuts safely.

By Kink Checklist Editorial Team
Cutting - visual guide showing safe practices for couples
Visual guide for Cutting activity

Interested in exploring Cutting with your partner?

Start Your Checklist

Cutting in Edge Play

Cutting involves using blades to intentionally break skin during BDSM scenes. This extreme edge play creates intense sensation, permanent or semi-permanent marks, and profound psychological experiences. The seriousness of deliberately cutting another person demands exceptional knowledge, skill, and communication.

Understanding the Practice

BDSM cutting ranges from light scratches to deliberate scarification. Motivations include intense sensation seeking, marking/ownership symbols, blood play interests, or meditative/spiritual experiences. The combination of pain, vulnerability, and permanent marking creates experiences some find profound.

Critical Safety Requirements

Cutting requires sterile technique: new blades, proper disinfection, barrier protection for the cutter, and appropriate wound care. Understanding anatomy is essential—avoid areas with major blood vessels, nerves, or thin skin over bone. Training in wound care, infection signs, and when to seek medical help is mandatory.

Psychological Considerations

Cutting intersects with self-harm concerns. Partners with self-harm histories require careful evaluation—consensual cutting may be therapeutic or triggering depending on individual psychology. Mental health assessment and honest conversation about motivations should precede any cutting play.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is BDSM cutting different from self-harm?

Context, consent, and motivation differ. BDSM cutting is consensual, controlled, and done for shared experience rather than coping mechanism. However, the line can blur; psychological honesty is essential.

What training is necessary?

Learn sterile technique, anatomy, wound care, and emergency response. Classes through BDSM organizations, medical professionals, or scarification artists provide foundation. Never cut without proper knowledge.

Are permanent scars inevitable?

Depth determines scarring. Shallow cuts may heal invisibly; deeper cuts scar. Scarification techniques deliberately create permanent marks. Discuss desired outcomes before cutting.

What about disease transmission?

Blood-borne pathogen risks are real. Both partners should know their status. Use barriers, never share blades, and treat all blood as potentially infectious. Testing and honest health disclosure are mandatory.

Discover What You Both Desire

Create your personal checklist and compare with your partner to find activities you'll both enjoy exploring together.

Get Started Free

No credit card required