Stocks (head & hands)
A wooden or metal frame that restrains the head and hands in a fixed position. Short Explanation: "Receiving" means you are confined in stocks, while "Giving" means you apply stocks to restrain your partner.
Interested in exploring Stocks (head & hands) with your partner?
Start Your ChecklistStocks stand among BDSM's most evocative restraint devices, drawing direct visual and psychological connection to centuries of historical punishment while creating uniquely exposed and helpless positioning for the restrained person. Whether traditional wooden constructions or modern dungeon furniture, stocks immobilize the head and hands through fixed openings in a solid frame, creating a bent-over posture that leaves the bound person exposed from behind while their face and hands remain visible and accessible from the front.
The power of stocks lies partly in their historical resonance—the unmistakable association with public humiliation, medieval punishment, and enforced vulnerability that even those unfamiliar with BDSM recognize instinctively. Beyond this psychological dimension, stocks create practical restraint that differs from most bondage: the restrained person cannot cover themselves, cannot use their hands defensively, cannot turn away, and cannot easily communicate distress through the usual physical signals. This comprehensive immobility serves both discipline-focused scenes and sensory-focused play.
In this comprehensive guide, you'll learn about stock construction and selection, proper positioning and safety protocols, the psychological dimensions that make stocks particularly potent, and approaches for incorporating stocks into your practice. Whether you're intrigued by stocks for their historical atmosphere, their practical utility, or their unique psychological impact, you'll find detailed guidance for safe and effective use.
How Stocks Work
Understanding stock design, positioning, and applications helps practitioners use these devices effectively and safely while maximizing their unique characteristics.
Design and Construction
Traditional stocks consist of two horizontal boards hinged at one end, with semi-circular cutouts that form round openings when closed—typically one larger opening for the neck and two smaller openings for the wrists. The boards lock together to secure the restrained person in bent-forward position with head and hands immobilized at the same level.
Modern stocks vary in construction materials, positioning options, and features. Wooden stocks maintain traditional aesthetic while metal or padded versions prioritize durability or comfort. Some designs stand on their own frames; others mount to walls, furniture, or specially designed stands. Height-adjustable stocks accommodate different body sizes; rotating mounts allow position changes while maintaining restraint.
Opening dimensions matter significantly for safety and comfort. Neck openings must be large enough to prevent breathing restriction or blood flow impairment, with padding recommended to prevent pressure point pain. Wrist openings should secure without tightening, allowing some movement to prevent circulation problems. Quality stocks allow adjustment of opening sizes to fit different users.
Positioning Considerations
Standard stock positioning places the restrained person bent forward at the hips, head and hands at roughly waist to chest height depending on the stock's mounting. This creates exposure from behind while presenting face and hands forward—a dual-access arrangement suited to various activities.
The degree of forward bend affects sustainability and comfort. More horizontal positions create greater strain but more dramatic exposure; more upright positions allow longer wear but less extreme vulnerability. Adjustable-height stocks permit finding the right balance for each person and scene. Supporting surfaces (like padded benches beneath the hips) reduce lower back strain during extended use.
Some stocks offer alternative configurations: seated variations where the person sits with head and hands secured in front; recumbent versions for lying positions; or portable designs that create stock-like restraint without dedicated furniture. Each configuration creates different exposure patterns and sustainability characteristics.
Activities and Applications
Stocks combine effectively with numerous activities. Impact play targets the exposed posterior while the stock prevents defensive movement. Oral service positions the restrained person at appropriate height while immobilizing hands. Sensation play uses the front-and-back accessibility to surprise and overwhelm. Display and humiliation scenes evoke stocks' historical punishment associations. The possibilities expand based on stock configuration and the creativity of participants.
The exposed face creates both opportunity and consideration—the restrained person's expressions remain visible, providing immediate feedback about their experience. This visibility can intensify humiliation aspects (they cannot hide their responses) while also supporting safety monitoring (their face reveals distress that covered mouths might hide).
Safety Considerations
Stock bondage requires attention to several safety factors that differ from other restraint forms due to the specific positioning and immobility involved.
Neck and Throat Safety
The neck opening of stocks is the critical safety concern. It must never constrict breathing or blood flow. Quality stocks have openings sized generously enough to allow several fingers between wood and neck when closed. Padding prevents pressure point discomfort but shouldn't substitute for properly sized openings. Any sign of breathing difficulty, color change in the face, or complaints about neck pressure requires immediate release.
Positioning the neck correctly within the opening prevents problems. The front of the neck—where the trachea and major blood vessels are vulnerable—should never bear the restrained person's weight. Proper positioning places supporting weight on the back and sides of the neck opening, against bones and muscles rather than vulnerable structures. Never leave someone in stocks leaning forward so their weight falls on their throat.
Wrist Circulation
Wrist openings should secure without tightening. Unlike cuffs that can be adjusted to exact fit, stock openings are typically fixed sizes—if they're too tight, pressure restricts circulation; if too loose, the person can slip free. Quality stocks accommodate adjustment or come in multiple sizes. Check circulation regularly (warmth, color, sensation) and release if problems develop.
The maintained bent position can affect circulation independent of opening tightness. Having hands immobilized at or below heart level for extended periods may cause mild swelling or reduced circulation in some people. Periodic position changes or breaks during extended scenes prevent cumulative problems.
Lower Back and Hip Strain
The bent-over position stocks create stresses the lower back, especially without supporting surfaces. Extended maintenance of bent positions causes muscle fatigue and strain in most people. Limit initial sessions to shorter durations while you learn how your partner's body responds; provide padded support under the hips or thighs to reduce strain; build in breaks during longer scenes; and release promptly if significant back discomfort develops.
Individual variation matters significantly—flexibility, core strength, and existing back issues all affect tolerance. What one person maintains comfortably for an hour may be too much for another after ten minutes. Let the restrained person's experience guide duration rather than arbitrary time goals.
Quick Release Requirements
Like all bondage, stocks must have quick release capability. Mechanisms vary—thumb screws, pins, latches, or other fasteners—but whatever the design, it must open rapidly when needed. Practice release before scenes begin. Ensure keys or tools aren't misplaced where they can't be found quickly. A bound person experiencing a medical emergency needs release in seconds, not minutes of fumbling.
Beginner's Guide to Stocks
Getting started with stocks requires appropriate equipment, attention to safety fundamentals, and willingness to learn through progressive experience.
Choose appropriate equipment: Starter stocks should have adequately sized openings with some padding, stable construction that won't tip or shift under strain, reliable locking mechanisms with quick release capability, and height appropriate to partners' bodies. Avoid the cheapest options—stocks require structural integrity for safety. Consider adjustable designs that accommodate different users and preferences.
Practice mechanics: Before restraining anyone, practice opening and closing the stocks, operating the lock mechanism, and making any adjustments available on your design. Time yourself on release—you should be able to free someone in under ten seconds. Familiarity with equipment operation prevents fumbling during actual use.
Start short and supportive: Initial stock sessions should be brief—perhaps ten to fifteen minutes—while you observe how the position affects your partner. Provide support under their hips or thighs to reduce lower back strain. Keep the first experience comfortable enough to be positive; build toward longer or more strenuous use as experience accumulates.
Monitor continuously: Never leave someone in stocks unattended. Watch their face for distress signals. Check hand and wrist circulation periodically. Ask how their neck and back feel. The comprehensive immobility of stocks means the restrained person cannot adjust to relieve problems on their own—you must identify and address issues.
Establish clear communication: Because hands and movement are restricted, ensure safewords can be spoken clearly and will be honored immediately. Some stocks make verbal communication slightly awkward depending on head position; consider backup signals if needed. The restrained person should know they can end the scene at any time.
Start with simple activities: For first uses, experience the stocks themselves without complex additional activities. Let the restrained person feel what the position is like; let yourself learn what access you have and what activities might work. Add complexity in subsequent sessions once the basics are comfortable.
Discussing Stocks with Your Partner
Conversations about stock use should address the unique characteristics of this equipment—particularly its historical associations and the extreme vulnerability it creates.
When proposing stocks, explain what attracts you about them: the visual impact, the particular quality of exposure they create, the historical resonance, or the practical utility for activities you enjoy. Discuss what you imagine doing with a stocked partner (or as a stocked person), acknowledging that stocks enable certain things while restricting others. Share educational resources so your partner understands what stocks involve.
The historical punishment associations of stocks deserve explicit discussion. For some people, these associations add desirable psychological intensity; for others, they might create uncomfortable feelings about humiliation or degradation they don't want. Clarify what aspects of the stock experience each partner seeks and whether punishment themes should be emphasized or avoided.
Practical planning matters: Do you own stocks or need to acquire them? Where will you use them? How will you ensure safety? What activities do you envision combining with stock restraint? How long do you imagine sessions lasting? What does aftercare look like given the vulnerability involved?
After initial experiences, debrief about both the physical experience and psychological impact. How did the position feel physically? Were emotional responses what was expected? Did the exposure create desired feelings or uncomfortable ones? What would you adjust for future sessions? This feedback refines your approach and ensures stocks enhance rather than complicate your dynamic.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can someone stay in stocks safely?
Duration depends on many factors: stock positioning, individual flexibility and fitness, whether supporting surfaces reduce strain, and the specific person's responses. Some people tolerate thirty minutes to an hour in well-designed stocks with support; others reach discomfort limits in ten to fifteen minutes. Start with shorter sessions and increase based on actual experience. Breaks during longer scenes prevent cumulative strain.
Should I buy stocks or build my own?
Either can work, but DIY stocks require understanding safety requirements: properly sized openings that won't constrict, structurally sound construction that won't fail under strain, smooth edges that won't splinter or cut, and reliable quick-release mechanisms. Commercial stocks from reputable manufacturers handle these considerations; DIY requires similar attention to safety details. Never use stocks (purchased or homemade) without verifying safety features.
Are stocks suitable for suspension or significant weight bearing?
Standard stocks are not designed for suspension. The neck and wrist openings cannot safely support body weight; attempting suspension in standard stocks risks serious injury or death. Some specially designed equipment creates stock-like restraint in suspension contexts, but this is advanced rigging that requires specific training and purpose-built equipment. Never suspend in standard stocks.
Can stocks be adjusted for different body sizes?
Quality stocks often include adjustable opening sizes, height adjustments, or interchangeable components for different users. Fixed-size stocks work best with matching body sizes—a petite person may slip from openings sized for larger users; a large person may not fit openings designed for smaller users. Consider adjustability when purchasing if multiple users or size variation is anticipated.
Do stocks always involve humiliation elements?
No—while stocks have historical humiliation associations, contemporary use can emphasize different aspects: the practical restraint utility, sensory vulnerability, power exchange without degradation, or aesthetic impact. How you frame and narrate stock use determines its psychological character. Couples focused on sensation or control rather than humiliation use stocks effectively without punishment or degradation themes.
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