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In: Advice to caged males, Chastity device fitting, Lion's Journal
original cb2000 chastity device
This is one of the very first CB2000’s. It was hand made from cast acrylic rings and rods. After a while the maker earned enough money to buy an injection molding mold and the more familiar CB line was born. This particular device is one of the very first he ever made.

I’ve been reviewing chastity devices since the mid 1990’s. I’ve worn both custom and off-the-shelf designs. To be fair, in the mid 90’s, the only off-the-shelf product was the CB2000. It had two very significant advantages: It was relatively inexpensive (less than $200 USD) and you could have one immediately. Custom tubes and belts were much more expensive and required weeks before you would receive it.

Both the price and ease of purchase spurred a lot of interest in enforced chastity. I think it is safe to say that the vast majority of purchases were used a few times and forgotten. The CB2000 was fine to wear for a weekend, but longer periods were uncomfortable.

The device, right from the start, came with a variety of base rings and spacers (to control the gap between the base ring and the cage). The idea was, and still is, to try different combinations to discover the most comfortable and secure fit. Unfortunately, no combination fit me very well at all. The model in the image is the one I tested and the rings and spacers were the best fit I could find.

Nothing’s really changed much since then. Off-the-shelf devices are available with a variety of base ring sizes. Some have cages for shorter or longer cocks, some let you adjust spacing. But given how individual each of our penises is, the chances that you will get a good fit with one of these devices is remote.

Chastity devices are like musical instruments. If you buy one (a musical instrument) just to learn the basics and then play now and then at a party, you don’t need concert quality. But if you make your living playing the violin, for example,  you want the best you can afford. This analogy holds true for chastity devices. If you are buying one just to try out being locked up and plan to use it as part of a weekend or evening activity session, good fit isn’t that important. The device just has to not fall off or hurt you too much to wear it.

If you are like me and wear a chastity device full time, fit is critical. The smallest mistake in fit will, over time, become intolerable. Also, since the device is your full time companion, any issue becomes impossible to miss. That’s why so many guys who are more serious about being caged, choose a custom device. Measuring for this device is a challenge ( see our long article on measuring for chastity here). I have years of experience with this and yet I had to get my device adjusted three times.

Let me explain. I followed all the instructions on our Getting A Good Fit page. Even so, I overestimated the length of my cock. I know, how typically male of me. The truth is that the human penis is very adapt, at least when soft, at squishing down to an incredibly small size and at other times, hang there like a banana. So, like many guys, I overestimated the length of cage I need by a full 1/2″. So what? Well that gap in the front allowed pee to spray all over the place. These devices are design to have the head of your penis firmly pressed against the bars at all times. Fortunately, Mature Metal, who makes the Jail Bird I wear, will adjust devices for a reasonable cost. So, I had the cage shortened by 1/2″. Voila La! Great fit.

I’ve heard people say that after a while the scrotum adjusts and stretches a bit and the base ring that fit perfectly in the beginning starts becoming too large. Sure enough, after about ten months, my base ring was pretty loose. I set the cage back and ordered a new ring (they could have resized the original, but I wanted a “safety” in case the new one was too small). The old ring was 1 3/4″. The one I ordered is 1 5/8″ — just 1/8″ smaller.

When I got the new ring and put it on, after a few hours it started to pinch. After wearing it for 24 hours, I had to go back to the 1 3/4″ ring. Boy was I glad I didn’t have it reduced and bought a new ring instead. Ok, a tiny change, only 1/8 inch in diameter took me from too big to painful. All I could do is send everything back again and have the 1 5/8 inch ring reduced to 1 11/16″. That felt stupid to me. Such a small change!

I got the resized base ring back on Friday. I’ve been wearing it ever since. It fits perfectly. What the hell? A lousy 16th of an inch is enough to go from agony to perfection.

There’s a message here. That message is that when it comes to full time chastity device wear, close enough is not good enough. Tiny adjustments in cage size can be the difference between a comfortable and effective device and one that doesn’t fit well at all. So, if you are just starting out in enforced chastity, measure very carefully and come as close as you can with an inexpensive device. Use it to learn what sizes you need to change. When you decide you will be locked up full time, then order a custom device. Expect to send it back a couple of times (at least) for adjustment. Perfection isn’t easy to attain. Now that I have things just right I am a happy and very horny lion.

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In: Chastity device fitting, Chastity hardware, Chastity Hardware Security, Lion's Journal

Sadly, Mrs. Lion is still under the weather. She said she is feeling a bit better, but still not feeling very well. That’s no problem. We can wait for her orgasm and my teasing when she feels better. She removed my cage tonight. I am a wild lion. It’s now packed up to go into the mail tomorrow morning for resizing the base ring. Mature Metal has superb service. They usually turn around resizing work in a few days and always at a reasonable price. They are unbeatable for quality and service.

I have a little concern about this change. With the current 1 3/4-inch ring, it is so comfortable I completely forget I am wearing a chastity device. However, I do know the base ring is large. I can get my thumb between it and my soft penis. I think I can probably wear  a 1 1/2-inch ring comfortably, but I am not confident. So, I decided to hedge my bet with a 1 5/8-inch ring. I got cold paws about changing the existing ring since it feels so good to wear. So, I asked MM to make me a new 1 5/8-inch ring as well as a 1 1/2-inch ring. That way I will have the old ring and two new, smaller ones.

Of all measurements for a chastity device fitting,  the base ring diameter is the most difficult to get right. That’s why I recommend that before ordering the first device, you should test different sizes. You can get a set of measuring rings from Mature Metal for only $20. They will let you see what it feels like to live with a given size. I had ordered several inexpensive devices with an assortment of base rings. The 1 3/4-inch ring fit best. That’s why when I ordered the Jail Bird, I selected the 1 3/4-inch base ring. I waited a year before making the decision to change sizes.

How do you know you have the right size, or more importantly how do you know if you have the wrong size? The obvious answer you often read is that if your balls change color, particularly turn blue, you have a ring that is too small. Well, that’s a little like saying that you will know if your necktie is too tight if you suffocate. It’s way more subtle than that. You know a ring is too large if a ball escapes on its own. Most experienced chastity folks say that a ring is correctly sized if you can get your pinky between the ring and your body and nothing else. That may be a good indication.

The simple truth is that you just can’t tell for sure. Also, as I have discovered, my body has made a small change in the way my scrotum fits. It seems to have narrowed where the ring sits. Others have observed this too. It’s not a big change, but enough to make the original ring a bit loose.

If you, like me, wear your device 24/7, good fit isn’t enough. It has to be a perfect fit so it is comfortable and reasonably secure. Remember, no captive ball device is totally secure. No matter how tight the base ring, it can be escaped with enough work and a high tolerance for pain. It’s like my wedding ring. I can take it off, but I don’t want it so loose it can fall off. Security to me is knowing that it would be a lot of work to get out and probably impossible to get back in.

So how far should you go in terms of a tight base ring? This is the subject of endless online forum posts. I like the only-your-pinky-should-fit-between-the-ring-and-your-body rule. But the absolutely most important rule is that you can wear the ring and the device comfortably without doing anything, like using lube, to make it wearable. You should be able to forget it is there. Attempting to get hard should not hurt at all. You should never be awakened by an erection.

If you have decided that you want to be caged full time, then you have to treat the purchase of a chastity device as a very serious endeavor. Expect to spend the money for a custom device and expect to spend a little more on adjustments and alternate rings. Remember, that device is always attached to you. It only comes off when your keyholder wants to play with you or you have a life situation that requires it off. Over the last year it has been on me more than 99% of the time, or  361 days in the last 365. Isn’t it work the time, effort, and cost to make things comfortable?

 

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In: Advice to caged males, Chastity device fitting, Lion's Journal

Only one email today, but one that I think affects a lot of us.

I Am Nine and a Half inches fully extended, about six and a half flaccid, have a big corona ridge and head, I would appreciated suggestions on how to get a good fit. I want to remain chaste and honest to my fiancé, When I wear a metal cage, head becomes swollen and red, I am concerned about permanent damage. Any real suggestions? This is for real. I enjoy enforced chastity for two reasons more intense orgasms, and It avoids jealousy because my Girlfriend. knows I was very promiscuous when I was single, I am willing to purchase a “Holy Trainer” but I do not want to spend that kind of money, then have it come apart.

You and I have the same problem, just yours is a very large penis, and mine, well you know. Off-the-shelf devices like the Holy Trainer work for the “average” guy. Actually, they don’t work too well for anyone, but at least if you are the right size for one of these, it will work. In your case, I suspect none of the CB’s or other plastic devices will end up fitting correctly. You may have to save your pennies, but I’m afraid that a custom device is needed.

You mention that a metal cage irritates the head of your penis. It’s probably not the stainless steel. It just doesn’t fit correctly. I suggest you contact one of the two main custom cage makers: Mature Metal or Steelworx. Both companies are happy to help you figure out the best device for you. While you are saving up, you can experiment with base rings. Mature Metal sells a set of rings that allow you to work out what is best for you. Alternatively, you can go to the local hardware store and buy metal rings in a wide range of sizes. Either way, try one, if it is too tight to wear for long, try the next size. I suggest that when you think you have the right size, wear that ring for at least two full weeks, 24 hours a day. If it remains comfortable and isn’t too loose (see our article Getting A Good Fit for more information), then that will be the size to order.

The best thing about custom devices is that the makers are willing to adjust them if you need a change. They charge a fair price for these adjustments. If you go the Holy Trainer or other off-the-shelf route, you may end up spending more money on replacing these devices than you would have spent to get one made for you.

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In: Advice for a new keyholder, Chastity device fitting, Chastity hardware, Chastity Hardware Security, Lion's Journal

First of all, things are back to normal in the lions’ den. My libido is returning. Sunday’s play session and amazing oral orgasm seem to have done the trick. Mrs. Lion certainly knows how to push and pull my buttons and other parts. I was allowed to be wild for the balance of the afternoon and evening and then locked securely before bed.

One reader sent a question about chastity devices. He wants to get a steel cage, but doesn’t want the noise or bulk of a padlock. He didn’t know about security screws. My Mature Metal Jail Bird has a security screw instead of a padlock. This screw can only be (easily) removed with a special tool that came with the cage. Is it perfectly secure? Well, no. Is a padlock? Oh, no! Most small padlocks are easily picked, or can be cut off with a small pair of bolt cutters. Virtually any cage held in place by a cock and ball ring can be escaped by pulling the penis out and then taking the base ring off of the balls.

Pretty much everyone thinking of being locked up knows this. Based on my mail and reading, most all look for maximum security. They want a device that they can’t escape. As a result, many buy base rings that are too small and the poor guys spend time looking for lubes to ease the discomfort. The theory being that a smaller base ring is harder to pry their penis out. That’s probably true, But enough cold water, lube and pain tolerance will overcome the tightest base ring.  They know that too. So, some buy anti-pullout devices. These contraptions usually consist of pins, some are even sharpened into points, that are then fixed inside the base of the cage. Pulling out then becomes even more painful, maybe impossible for some. Well, there you go. Or do you? What happens if you get that midnight wood? You will wake up in pain when those little points stab your attempted hardon.

Every single method to “improve” security involves making the device harder to wear full time. The chastity forums are full of posts begging for help with chafing scrotums, etc. I think this is the product of wrong-headed thinking. Let’s take a moment to consider:

Q: Who wanted you to lock up your penis?
A: Me.

Q: Who would you hurt if you sneaked out of your cage and jerked off?
A: Me.

Q: What would your keyholder do if you escaped and played with yourself? (Be honest now)
A: Give you your key back. She expects you to play by your rules.

The point is that you wear the cage because you want to surrender control. If you wear it to see if you can escape, then you aren’t into enforced chastity, you are into being an escape artist. My cage is on me for some important (to me, and to a lesser extent, Mrs.Lion) reasons:

  1. It is a symbol, just like my wedding ring, that I am not alone and that in the case of my cage, I have surrendered control of my penis. It is on a visceral level for me and a visual one for Mrs. Lion.
  2. It is a continuing reminder of my surrender to both of us. I could be chaste and only get arousal and orgasm from Mrs. Lion without the cage. The cage reminds me of my surrender, and in a weak moment I can’t have an “accident.”
  3. It prevents me from having an “accident”. It is difficult enough to escape that it deters any passing need to disobey. More importantly, I doubt I could get back in if I did pull out. So Mrs. Lion will find out I cheated.
  4. I love wearing it knowing that it is important to both of us. It’s a symbol of a gift we are giving each other.

So, I don’t need a device that I can’t escape. I only need one that won’t fall off and that I can’t just slip on and off at will. What counts more in terms of hardware is that I can wear it continuously, with comfort for as long as Mrs. Lion wants me to have it on. It could be the rest of my life.

My advice to anyone in the market for a chastity device is to ignore all the security mania in the blogs and forums and instead go for the best, most comfortable fit. My wedding ring doesn’t hurt to wear why should my cage?