Cock and ball torture (CBT) is an exciting way to experience BDSM power exchange, humiliation and sadomasochism!
Here at Terrible Toyshop, we love a little pain and humiliation to go with our pleasure, so it’s only natural to explore some of the most sensitive and emotionally charged places on the body. Our collection of CBT toys currently includes four original products (and more to come!), and we will be taking this opportunity to show how they work, talk about our favourite CBT play schemes, and (of course) shamelessly plug our awesome products!
The (biologically) male genitalia are a nerve-dense area and one of the most sensitive areas of the body. In a somewhat ironic twist, this delicate area is widely considered a culturally normative symbol of strength and “manhood,” as evidenced by the prevalence of phallic symbols across many cultures all over the world. In combination, these two beautifully contradictory aspects of the penis and testicles create a virile playground for intense physical and emotional BDSM experiences.
Whether you’re playing with a partner (or partners) or you’re taking care of business on your own, there are a wide range of CBT-related activities to explore, ranging from role play to chastity to sounding (urethral penetration) to straight-ahead pain. While we sell a range of sounding toys from other brands at the Terrible Toyshop store, this article focuses on the more pain-oriented offerings that we have developed as part of Terrible Toyshop’s original line of original CBT products.
Table of Contents
Honestly, this article got a lot longer than anyone expected. Use the following links to skip to the content you’re looking for.
Erecting a Cultural Edifice
The softer side of cock and ball torture...
From those endless teenage years spent hiding spontaneous erections to that awkward sexual encounter when it just wouldn’t get hard, anyone who has lived with a penis will understand that the emotional baggage accumulates not only in the bedroom, but in locker rooms, popular media, and everywhere in between. To prove this point, we assembled a bunch of words and phrases related to penis anxiety and prepared the following (highly unscientific) word cloud.
While these ideas generally suggest more negative aspects of the person/penis relationship, they also reflect widely held perceptions about the role and expectations of a masculine identity in society. You may just find that exploring your personal relationship to these ideas is an exciting inspiration for role play – and potentially therapeutic if it is approached from a place of self awareness.
Role play can take any number of forms. You may find an opportunity to safely share and act out your actual vulnerabilities with a partner, engage in orgasm control or prolonged chastity (to smash the primacy of the male orgasm), assume a role that provides you with a break from an overly masculine real-life identity, or (consensually) project your own insecurities onto a partner. Whatever kinds of scenes these ideas might inspire, you’re sure to find a fertile ground to increase self-awareness, cultivate emotional connections with a partner (or a few!), and experience heightened intimacy in the heat of the moment.
In short, there are many psychological and social aspects of CBT can appeal to anyone with an open mind, even if the idea of torture seems to be a little much. In whatever way you choose to practice CBT, you will almost certainly appreciate the experience of having your arousal helplessly on display as the genitalia are teased and stimulated. To that, we’ll add that pain can be the icing on the cake… to whatever extent you might be up for it. 😉
The More You Know, The More It Hurts
The anatomy of CBT... time to play doctor 😉
One of the most interesting perks of designing crazy BDSM torture devices and selling them on the internet is the people you meet. Through accumulated product feedback and random conversations with our most passionate customers, we’ve tapped into some really fascinating and obscure knowledge over the years.
At this juncture, we’re just going to take a moment to discuss how the biologically male reproductive anatomy works. Having a basic knowledge about the anatomy will help to understand exactly what a particular cock and ball torture device does, the different ways that it may cause pain, and how to use it safely.
Cock and Balls
Before we look under the hood, we’ll start with a quick overview of the parts that are easy to see. The external anatomy consists of the penis (AKA cock) and the scrotum, a loose sac of skin that contains the testes (AKA balls, testicles) and connective tissue.
The penis performs two major functions, both involving the urethra, a tube that transports semen and urine out of the body. During sexual arousal, the penis becomes erect as several chambers inflate with blood, which allows the penis to become hard and enter the vagina during sexual intercourse. High nerve density near the glans (AKA head of the penis, helmet) makes it highly sensitive to sexual stimulation.
The testes are where the reproductive magic happens. The testes and scrotum work together to keep the testes at an ideal temperature for making sperm, 1.5 to 2.5 degrees Celsius (4.5 to 6.3 degrees Fahrenheit) below body temperature. To regulate the temperature, the scrotum allows the testes to cool by descending away from the body. Likewise, the body responds to cooler conditions by retracting the testes toward the groin.
How You Get a Stiffie
There are three main structural components in the penis – the corpus cavernosum, the tunica albuginea, and the corpus spongiosum. Each side of the penis features a structure called the corpus cavernosum (pictured at the top right of the preceding diagram), which is a sponge-like tissue containing many tiny blood vessels. The corpus cavernosum is enclosed in a chamber of elastic tissue called the tunica albuginea. The corpus spongiosum (pictured at the bottom right of the preceding diagram) is a sponge-like tissue that surrounds the urethra (pictured in pink in the preceding diagram) and gives the glans its distinctive helmet shape.
During sexual arousal, the arteries in the penis dilate, which causes increased blood flow to the penis. At the same time, muscles compress the veins which allow blood to exit from the corpora cavernosum. As a result, the sponge-like tissue fills with blood and the penis expands and stiffens into an erection. The stiffness of an erect penis largely comes from the high fluid pressure of blood trapped inside the tunica albuginea, which stretches and becomes hard to the touch during arousal.
Makin' Sperm
Each testis is home to a network of fine-diameter tubes called seminiferous tubules. In these tiny pathways, “germ” cells undergo cell division and are shed into the seminiferous tubules. As these cells pass through the tubule, they develop into spermatozoa and make their way toward the epididymis (the blue area connected to the testis in the diagram above). Fluid pressure in the testis helps move spermatozoa from the testis into the epididymis, where sperm maturation occurs.
In the epididymis, sperm travels through a single coiled tubule that is nearly 20 feet (6 metres) long. During their 20 day trip, spermatozoa enjoy a luxury spa treatment, bathing in epididymal fluid, which nourishes the cells with proteins, ions, and everything else they need to grow into healthy mature sperm. Sperm accumulates in the epididymis, keeping it in the temperature-regulated environment provided by the testes and scrotum.
From the epididymis, mature sperm enter a muscular tube called the vas deferens, which runs about 18 inches (46cm) from the epididymis to the prostate. The vas deferens joins with the ejaculatory duct, which passes through the prostate and then connects with the urethra. This entire system (connecting the testis to the urethra) is pictured in blue on the diagram above.
Reaching Climax
When sexual climax is reached, the vas deferens contracts to move sperm out of the epididymis, through the ejaculatory duct, and into the urethra. During ejaculation, sperm are mixed with secretions from the prostate and seminal vesicles to create the viscous fluid we all know and love, semen. Semen consists of about 10% sperm, which number 250-750 million per teaspoon or 50-150 million per millilitre. The remaining 90% consists of the seminal fluids produced by the prostate and seminal vesicles.
To complete the process, semen is ejaculated through the urethra with rhythmic contractions of the bulbospongiosus and pubococcygeus muscles. These muscles are pictured in purple in the diagram above (below the urethra before it enters the penis). A typical orgasm consists of 10 to 15 contractions, which continue as an involuntary process once the first contraction has occured.
Let's Talk About Safety
As this brief anatomy lesson has made clear, the biologically male reproductive system is complex and relies on a huge number of moving parts. We had to simplify it a lot to keep this article to a reasonable length. While we can’t cover every risk in detail, we’ve assembled a non-exhaustive list of noteworthy issues and provided links where you can read up on each point in detail. While the physical side of cock and ball torture can be a fantastic experience, it is important to understand the risks so that you can continue to enjoy these activities safely for years to come.
Testicle Torture
Penis Torture
Urethral Sounding
The issues listed here are most commonly associated with motorcycle/bicycle accidents and contact sports. Although the human body is very resilient, always take things slow and listen to your body when you are trying new activities for the first time. Always work up to more extreme activities gradually and research the specific risks associated with each activity in detail before you jump into the deep end.
If you suspect that you have a testicle injury, see a doctor immediately. Some of the issues listed above (like testicular torsion) are medical emergencies. Serious injury can cause you to lose a testicle, make the testicle shrink, and/or threaten your fertility. Seeing your doctor promptly can lower the chances of complications.
Now that we’re done playing doctor, it’s time to move on to the fun stuff. 😉
The Full Roundup
Terrible Toyshop's CBT products
The following list summarizes our favourite features of each of the cock and ball torture devices that we offer. Click the summary to advance to the product’s full section in this post.
The Crouton Crusher
As Terrible Toyshop’s first foray into cock and ball torture devices, the Crouton Crusher was an instant classic. The idea behind this devious creation was simple: a set of hinged salad tongs designed to hold a testicle securely… with spikes.
The forked side of the tongs feature a ⅜” (10mm) gap, which provides just enough room to slide the scrotum through to hold the testicle in place securely. To apply pressure, use the handles on the tongs to gently hold the testicle while you screw the knob down. The bolt is held in place at a swivel joint, so the clamp delivers pressure smoothly through its full range of motion. If you’re in a hurry, the concave spoon side of the clamp is deep enough to keep the testicle contained inside the clamp when pressure is applied.
The one notable drawback of the Crouton Crusher relates to its large size and T shaped body. If you take a walk while using the device, it tends to dangle around, and the protruding bolt will bounce off the upper thigh. Additionally, if two crushers are being used as a pair, this motion can result in a pinching hazard for the scrotum. The Crouton Crusher is best suited for situations in which you are planning to remain seated or lying down while the crusher is in use.
Since its release, folks often ask whether the Crouton Crusher is suitable to be worn as a pair. The short answer is that yes, you can use two crushers at the same time, and a lot of people do buy and enjoy using them as pairs. As we will explain in the next section, however, the Elephant Balls were specifically designed to create a better two-testicle clamping experience, and we generally recommend them over the crusher if those folks want to torture both testicles at the same time.
Black/Black
Black/Blue
Pink/Black
Blue/Pink
Blue/Yellow
Yellow/Pink
The Crouton Crusher (1 Piece)
C$43.00Weighing in at 5oz (140g), the Crouton Crusher has a satisfying weight in the hand, but won’t pull on the testicle excessively.
The crusher’s spikes are quite sharp out of the box, which creates an intensely prickly sensation on the scrotum as the clamp is tightened. Combined with the clamp’s compression of the testicle, this device is a workhorse when it comes to creating rich and excruciating experiences. That said, the spikes on the crusher can be rounded off with a nail file if you are looking for a more pressure-forward sensation.
Overall, the Crouton Crusher delivers on its purpose, which is to provide a no-nonsense, spiked testicle clamp. If you’ve ever tried clamping a testicle before, you’re surely well acquainted with balls’ secret power of escape from… um… high pressure situations. We love the crusher for the unique sensations that it provides, and we keep coming back because of its simplicity, reliability, and ease of use for quick sessions.
Elephant Balls
Once the Crouton Crusher had been released into the wild, we started getting lots of feedback from passionate customers. Although there wasn’t anything emphatically bad about the crusher, we noticed some trends in what we were hearing and went back to the drawing board to design the Elephant Balls.
The first major point was that some people weren’t really into the spikes. One customer went so far as to schedule a call with Terrible Greg and provided an informal history lesson about a variety of testicle torture techniques and devices that he had encountered over the years. The plunger-style mechanism on the Elephant Balls creates a deep, urgent, throbbing sensation, similar to pressing into the side of the testicle with a thumb.
The second trend that came through in product feedback was that people wanted something that was more comfortable than the crusher to wear as a pair. The crusher is susceptible to pinching the scrotum when walking around with two, so we made the design fit the anatomy a bit more closely to make this happen. Due to the physical constraints of 3D printing, this idea evolved into the oval-shaped clamshell enclosure with flattened sides.
Drawing from our experience with the Crouton Crusher, the slot where the scrotum enters the clamshell features a similar ½” (12mm) gap. The slightly larger size was mainly due to some additional play in the hinges. To bring all of these pieces together, we designed a special base for the plunger mechanism that fits between the back edges of the clamshells (behind the hinge) and holds the front of the shells closed.
Weighing in at 11½oz (325g) per pair, the Elephant Balls feels sturdy, but they do not feel heavy when worn on testicles or held in the hand. This weight is slightly more than that of the Crouton Crusher, but barely enough to notice the difference.
One more feature we love about the Elephant Balls is that the more streamlined shape fits under pants. Although our original product description really emphasized its discreetness under pants, we received a few customer compalints disputing that claim. As a result, we currently avoid advertising the balls as “discreet” or for public play, mainly because it’s easier to manage customer expectations than to be seen as under-delivering on our claims.
That being said, we (adventurous kinksters that we are) remain cool with wearing them under pants in public settings. Basically, our position is that unless you are giving someone a reason to investigate your crotch, they’re probably not going to notice, and even if they do, it’s most likely that they’ll assume you’re wearing some kind of medical device. Honestly, it’s hard to imagine someone confronting a random stranger, in public, about the shape of their balls.
Overall, the Elephant Balls are a much sleeker design than the Crouton Crusher, although they create an entirely different sensation. We prefer the Elephant Balls for longer scenes with a slow buildup, particularly in situations where mobility is desirable. It takes a few sessions to get the angles and positioning perfect, but once you dial it in, the Elephant Balls are tailor made to be as comfortable as possible… except (of course) in the way that they are specifically designed to hurt. 😉
The Penis Waffle Iron
The Penis Waffle Iron is one of Terrible Toyshop’s more unique CBT devices. In response to popular demand, we decided to design a clamp specifically for penis torture. As with most of our designs, we generally gravitate to product ideas that don’t yet exist in the marketplace but provide interesting opportunities for sadomasochistic and humiliating experiences. In that regard, the Penis Waffle Iron solidly hits the mark.
Although the Penis Waffle Iron is an uncharacteristically simple design for the Terrible Toyshop catalogue, this device really delivers on a unique experience. The basic premise for the design is to gradually squeeze the an erect penis until the erection is gone. As an added bonus, the pattern on the clamping plates transfer their waffle-like pattern onto the penis, leaving its victims with a humiliating reminder of the experience.
With a comfortable, no-pinch scrotum retaining bracket, the waffle iron handily connects to the biologically male genitalia to keep the clamp securely attached to your junk, so you can focus on transforming your favourite penis from stiffy to iffy. With one scrotum retaining bracket on each side, the waffle iron also presents a unique opportunity to bro down and intimately share your sexual frustration with a partner.
The four bolts allow you to control how the clamping pressure is applied to the penis. Start tightening the screws closer to the pelvis to feel the pressure build and watch the penis start to throb. Shift your attention to the glans (AKA head of the penis) to press cruelly into the pulsing flesh. Bit by bit, the clamp will leave less and less room for the blood pressure that keeps the erection hard. When you’re done, you’ll be left with a shamefully limp dick and a hilarious waffle pattern for your troubles.
Weighing in at 11½oz (325g), the Penis Waffle Iron is a hefty piece of kit. This device is probably too heavy to be fully supported by an erection on its own, and honestly, we think that’s part of the fun. With a clamping platform 7″ long, the waffle iron will fully enclose penises up to 8″ long because there is a 1″ gap between the pelvis and where the waffle iron naturally rests against the body.
Possibly our favourite feature of the Penis Waffle Iron is its unique ability to augment longer term chastity play. If you are a fan of male chastity devices, the waffle iron is, quite simply an outstandingly frustrating toy to play with when you are finally released from captivity. Imagine, after a long period in a cage, being pinned down and aroused, only to have your erection forcibly made flaccid and returned to its state of confinement.
Overall, the Penis Waffle Iron is a unique and interesting toy. Though it excels at deflating erections, the waffle iron can be used for lighter, more tantalizing sensory play. There is nothing quite like the feeling of your pulsing shaft straining against two unyielding plates that are firmly attached to the genitalia.
The Rigger's Delight Humbler
The Rigger’s Delight Humbler is Terrible Toyshop’s most recent CBT device. In response to popular demand, we finally created our answer to the classic humbler. Although humblers with restraint attachments are widely available from a number of toy makers, we decided to create a more flexible attachment system for wrist/ankle cuffs alongside our groundbreaking ball crusher.
The basic design of the humbler is inspired by other designs on the market, with a two-part bar that screws together to restrain the testicles. The bar has a slight offset so that the ends rest comfortably against the base of the buttocks to prevent its its victim from straightening their legs.
Though we saw some humblers with wrist/ankle attachments, we wanted to provide more flexible options (I mean, what if you wanted to attach wrists and ankles, or use the humbler with weights as a ball stretcher?) The five attachment holes on each end of the bar are 9/16″ (15mm) in diameter, and are suitable for up to ½” (12mm) diameter rope or carabiners.
The optional ball crushing attachment uses two bolts that can be inserted while the humbler is being worn. The head of the bolts have rectangular stops that fit into matching recessed holes in the bar so that the bolts don’t spin in the holes. The ball crusher clamp has a hole on each end that fits onto those bolts. Using a couple of thumb nuts, the crusher clamps the balls against the bar with an agonizing degree of pressure. The crusher is designed to match the curvature of the bar to create a satisfyingly cohesive aesthetic.
In testing this product, we learned that there are some “low-hangers” out there who prefer to wear the humbler with the arch facing away from the thighs for a more strict experience. We’ve taken the additional step of making the crusher work on both sides of the bar.
Black/Black
Black/Blue
Pink/Black
Blue/Pink
Blue/Yellow
Yellow/Pink
The Rigger’s Delight Humbler
C$96.00Weighing in at 13oz (340g), the Rigger’s Delight Humbler provides a satisfying amount of weight, without feeling heavy on its own. That said, there is no practical limit to the amount of weight that you can hang from the humbler’s many attachment holes, so it provides endless options for heavy torments.
Overall, the the Rigger’s Delight Humbler is an extremely versatile option in a product category that otherwise requires you to lock into specific features. Want a ball crusher? Want a humbler that can be connected to wrists and/or ankles? Want a ball stretcher? The Rigger’s Delight Humbler may not be the most specialized piece of equipment for each application, but it will allow you to do all of these things with one product. And plus, we’re pretty sure we are the only people offering humblers in colours other than black. 😉
Final Words
To sum it all up, each of the CBT devices that we offer provides a different way to torture the testicles or penis – the choice really comes down to the type of experience that most appeals to your interests and sensory preference.
The Crouton Crusher offers a nice balance between the feeling of prickly spikes and the pressure of the clamp. When it is tightened, the sensation can get really edgy as the pressure starts to dig in. The crusher is also easier to use for a quick session if you want to skip the hassle of threading the scrotum through the slot. Despite all of its strengths, the Crouton Crusher is not a great choice if you need to move around a lot because its size and shape can make it dangle somewhat awkwardly.
The Elephant Balls’ small plunger (about the size of the last joint of a finger) presses into the bottom of the testicle and deforms it as the plunger presses in. The balls provide a really deep, urgent, throbbing pain as you tighten the clamp, and the balls really excel in scenes that involve a gradual increase of pressure. Overall, the Elephant Balls are more comfortable than the crushers, especially when worn as a pair, and they perform much better in situations where you might need to change positions or walk around.
The Penis Waffle Iron has a more niche appeal. For those who enjoy amplifying on the sexual frustration of longer term chastity, the waffle iron is the perfect accessory for when the cage comes off. The Penis Waffle Iron also excels in scenes that involve a power exchange, as the device stays firmly in place, and its presence is impossible to ignore in the heat of the moment. After all this, the device’s characteristic waffle print leaves you with a humiliating reminder of your completely deliberate sexual frustration.
The Rigger’s Delight Humbler is likely the most feature-packed humbler on the market at the time of writing, and is a must-have accessory if you’re looking to explore a variety of testicular torments. Not only is the Rigger’s Delight Humbler a well-thought out design, it’s the only humbler we’re aware of in a variety of flamboyant colours, so if you’re looking for an outlet for your inner sissy to sing, make sure to check it out in scorching hot pink/black or our effeminate yellow/pink colour options! 😉
And yes, as far as we’re aware, we’re the only company selling a sex toy that was specifically designed to ruin an erection as efficiently as possible. 😉
