Edgeplay, also spelled edge play, refers to BDSM activities that are considered risky but are still consensually undertaken for the purposes of arousal, stimulation, and pleasure.
"The New Topping Book," by Dossie Easton and Janet W. Hardy, a classic BDSM resource, describes edgeplay as “wherever things start to feel risky, where you start to feel vulnerable, the edge of the cliff that looks over your personal abyss.”
In other words, the definition of edgeplay is subjective and can differ from scene to scene and from individual to individual. However, most edgeplay involves a higher element of physical, mental, and/or emotional risk.
Types of play that are often considered edgeplay include:
- Barebacking
- Blood play
- Breath play
- Breeding
- Consensual non-consent
- Emotional sadism
- Fear Play
- Findom
- Fire play
- Forced orgasms
- Kidnapping and Takedowns
- Knife play
- Orgasm denial
- Play Piercing
- Rope play (especially suspensions)
- Ruined orgasms
- Scat play
- Total Power Exchange
- Water Torture and/or Waterboarding
- Watersports
- Wax play
In 2020, sex educators on TikTok started speaking out about edgeplay being taught by creators on the platform, arguing that these advanced forms of play should be taken more seriously and be practiced only by educated and experience kinksters. At minimum, extensive discussion and negotiation prior to any scene is both common and essential.
It is important to note, however, that edgeplay activities are advanced activities that involves both physical skill and an understanding of the psychology around them. It's a good idea to at least have a solid foundation of kinky play and activities before trying more advanced types of play. Most kink educators recommend only participating in edgeplay activities after receiving in-person, hands-on lessons from another kinkster fluent in the activity.
Although edgeplay sounds like edging, it is a much different type of play. While edgeplay involves pushing or being pushed to an emotional and/or physical limit, "edging" refers to bringing a partner (or oneself) to the very edge of orgasm and then backing off in order to create a more intense release when the orgasm finally comes.
Less commonly, the term "edgeplay" is also used to refer to play that involves a sharp object, such as a knife or sword.
Why Do People Enjoy Edgeplay?
People enjoy edgeplay for a number of reasons.
For couples who have been together for some time, edgeplay can reveal a new layer of intimacy. Edgeplay activities require a deeper level of trust, communication, and understanding than many other types of kinks. This can help spice up a sex life as well as help to build trust and closeness.
Seeking new types of intimacy can also be the catalyst for couples who are heavy participants in BDSM communities. Edgeplay tends to include niche kinks that may not be commonly practiced or taught elsewhere, providing experienced kinksters with the "novelty" most people crave in their sex lives.
The excitement and fear that arise during an edgeplay scene that pushes a person's limits can also release endorphins, heightening pleasure and even helping to increase overall well-being.
In other cases, someone's kink simply falls under the edgeplay umbrella. Just like someone can be turned on by using a blindfold, another person can be turned on by knives or watersports. In this case, the kinkster may not view these kinks as "edgeplay"; they may simply see them as their run-of-the-mill fetish. However, for anyone involved in an edgeplay activity, it's important that you remember the physical, mental, and emotional risks that can result from edgeplay activities - even if it's something you fantasize about regularly.
More About Edgeplay
Edgeplay requires that partners trust each other implicitly and know each other very, very well. A Top must always know whether their Bottom can handle the type of play being used, especially in scenes where safewords have been removed (another form of edgeplay). This is why experience in BDSM is recommended!
It is important that the partner in charge has the proper skills to handle the scene (BDSM takes practice) and that the receiving partner can clearly communicate their capabilities and need to stop if needed. Understanding and acknowledging risk is part of practicing risk-aware consensual kink (RACK), a philosophy that can help govern BDSM play. A safeword and/or signals is also important to ensure consent is ongoing throughout intense scenes.
Many kink educators also recommend discussing physical health insurance, mental health insurance, and disposable income before participating in edgeplay kinks. As these kinks carry a higher risk for necessary medical care, it's important that anyone participating in them know what they can afford before trying these activities. Especially in locations where medical help is extremely cost prohibitive, this may be a reason to approach an edgeplay kink with even higher levels of caution and awareness.
Be wary of dominants who claim they can perform any kind of edge activity and of submissives who claim they have no limits. Both attitudes can lead to permanent mental and physical injuries.
