Edgeplay

Edgeplay, also spelled edge play, refers to BDSM activities that are considered risky and that are consensually undertaken for the purposes of arousal, stimulation and pleasure. Less commonly, the term is also used to refer to play that involves a sharp object, such as a knife or sword. "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 and/or emotional risk. Types of play that are broadly considered edgeplay include:

• Barebacking
• Blood play
• Breath play
• Consensual non-consent
• Findom
• Fire play
• Forced orgasms
• Knife play
• Orgasm denial
• Rope play
• Rough play/sex
• Ruined orgasms
• Scat play
• Total Power Exchange
• Watersports
• Wax play

In 2020, sex educators on TikTok started speaking out about edgeplay being taught by creators on the platform, arguing that this advanced form 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 is an advanced activity that involves both physical skill and an understanding of the psychology around it. It's a good idea to at least have a solid foundation of kinky play and activities before trying more advanced types of play. Although edgplay 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.