Lodbrock Pillory Set Review
I was recently sent the to review, you can see the whole thing on my Youtube channel or scroll down to the bottom of the page to view it here. I was also sent a box of extra chains because a dungeon can never have too many chains! Full disclosure, I was given the set for free however I am not being paid for this review (and I was sent the set with the company knowing I would give an honest review no matter what).
Get 10% off your order from Lodbrock by using code “MorganThorne” valid until Sept 15, 2018!
Shipping Time & Method
The set arrived very quickly, within 4 days of the order being confirmed. It was sent via DHS, who is not my favourite shipping company (I’ve had more issues with DHS than UPS or Canada Post), but it arrived without issue. For reference, I live in a smaller city in Ontario, Canada and my mail is often delayed. I expected delivery to take at least a week (which is normal for this area), but it arrived in the 4 days promised.
The box it arrived in was just slightly larger than the display/storage case. It was in a plain, brown box, with part of the Lodbrock logo stamped on the corner. This ended up just looking like a cool line drawing, nothing that would reveal what was inside the box at all – which allows for discreet shipping. The set was wrapped in bubble wrap with cardboard inserts to protect the corners from damage.
Lodbrock Pillory Set Review – Display & Storage Case
The case holds all of the components of the set, which includes a pillory, leather inserts for the pillory, chains to hang the pillory, a flogger, a paddle and a blindfold. The case is made from New Zeland pine and has been distressed to give it that wonderfully worn look. It had decorative latches to hold it closed and compartments to keep all of the items neatly organized.
Opening the case, you are struck by the wonderful scent. It’s one of the many advantages of using as many natural materials as possible. The scent of the wood and leather combine to create a seductive perfume. I’m a big believer in engaging all of the senses in play, I’m also very sensitive to smells, so this really stood out to me.
Each piece in this set is beautifully made from the same New Zeland pine as the case, thick brown leather and black metal fittings & chain (also made in-house). Everything is made to be evocative of a medieval dungeon but is also perfect for old-fashioned discipline scenarios, and any more rustic role play you can imagine. I really enjoyed the browns and more natural colours in this set, as I have a lot of black leather already, plus the traditional whites and bright metal of medical play. This added some much-needed variety to my collection and will be well used.
Let’s go over the smaller toys first and leave the beautiful pillory for the end.
Lodbrock Pillory Set Review – The Paddle
Aside from the pillory itself, the paddle is one of my favourite pieces in the Lodbrock Pillory Set. The blade of the paddle is made from brown leather and has a piece of memory metal in the centre. One side is covered in brass rivets while the other is left plain. The handle is distressed wood, to match the rest of the set.
The memory metal runs through the whole paddle, which gives it structure and spring. It helps to stiffen the leather so that it won’t get too floppy with time and use. It also allows a bit of spring, which makes the paddle have a fantastic combination of thud and sting. It is sandwiched between two layers of leather in the blade and between two layers of wood in the handle. This will also ensure that the paddle does not break with heavy use.
The leather on the blade is stitched together neatly and the edges are slightly bevelled to avoid sharpness. The brass rivets are embedded in perfectly spaced rows. They are round and have rounded edges, meant to add texture and not break or damage the skin.
The handle is wooden and fits easily in the hand. I have rather small hands and found it quite comfortable to hold. My partner has much larger hands and found it equally comfortable. It’s often hard to find toys that are suited to both so it’s nice that this was able to strike that balance and will appeal to Tops of all genders and sizes.
The paddle itself has a nice thuddy sting to it. It can be used more sensually on the plain leather side or you can use the riveted side for more harsh sensations. It is quite flexible and returns to its original shape easily.
Lodbrock Pillory Set Review – The Blindfold
![lodbrock pillory set review stocks paddle flogger blindfold [Image Description - a brown leather blindfold on a white background. It has a brass eyelet and brown leather laces through the eyelet. The company name "Lodbrock" is stamped in the bottom right hand corner of the blindfold.]](http://msmorganthorne.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/DSC_4973copy-300x200.jpg)
There is often great beauty in simplicity and this blindfold is a great example of this. Cut from a single piece of leather, the blindfold does its job while maintaining the aesthetic of the Lodbrock Pillory Set. It has the same brass rivets as the paddle where the leather thongs are laced through. It ties around the back of the head and is easily adjustable to fit bottoms of any size.
When we tried it out, my partner was unable to see out of the bottom of the blindfold which is often a problem for us. He said he could see some light, but not objects. It’s nice to have a blindfold that actually blocks out the vision of the person wearing it!
Lodbrock Pillory Set Review – The Flogger
![lodbrock pillory set review stocks paddle flogger blindfold [Image Description - a brown leather flogger set against a white background. the falls are brown leather and square cut, the handle is brown wood and round]](http://msmorganthorne.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/floggertransparent_800x800-300x103.png)
The only piece that I didn’t love in this set was the flogger. I have two complaints, one aesthetic and one about the construction of the flogger. The flogger, like the rest of the Lodbrock Pillory Set, is made from brown leather and has a brown wooden handle. It is a shorter flogger which I like, but some others may find it takes a little getting used to. The falls are of equal length and width and have been cut well. They are cut square at the ends.
Aesthetically, I do not like floggers where the falls are simply wrapped around the handle. To me, it gives an unfinished feel to the piece. I know that they were going for a simple, medieval feel for the set and this is a personal preference only. It does not affect the use or functionality of the flogger in any way. Some people do enjoy this look, so it’s a minor complaint.
![lodbrock pillory set review stocks paddle flogger blindfold [Image Description - close up of a brown leather flogger with a wooden handle.]](http://msmorganthorne.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/DSC_4964copy-199x300.jpg)
The other issue I have with the flogger is the balance of it. The falls are much heavier than the handle, which means that you will need to work much harder to throw it. When using the flogger, my hand kept wanting to choke up on the handle – to where I was holding it almost directly below where the falls are attached. This is to compensate for the lack of weight in the handle.
I found that the flogger worked best when delivering single, overhand strikes or when using it as a discipline (over the shoulder to oneself). Using it to do circles or figure eights was much more difficult due to the balance issues.
Overall, I will certainly make use of this flogger but it does have limitations that keep it out of my list of favourite toys.
Lodbrock Pillory Set Review – The Pillory
The star of this show is, of course, the pillory. It is made from New Zeland pine, with a black metal look trim around the edges. The trim seems to be painted wood, which gives it a nice look without adding extra weight. It has four fittings to hang it from the ceiling in two different ways. It also comes with a complete set of chains and links you need to do so. It has a metal hinge on one end and a metal latch with a pin to lock it closed on the other.
The three holes (head, two wrists) are cut perfectly round with bevelled edges so they are more comfortable. Each hole is lined with inlaid magnets, to attach the leather strips included in the set. These strips make the holes adjustable. Often with pillories, the holes will be too big or too small for the bottom. With these innovative stips, you can make the holes smaller to fit smaller bottoms or larger to fit larger ones. Each hole has two leather pieces you can add which allows for three different sizes. The leather also adds comfort for the bottom, if you like
The pin closure for the latch is fantastic. It’s easy to use and simple to remove, yet secure when in use. It’s always wise to have a quick way to get the bottom out of bondage and the pin makes that easy. You simply grasp the pin and pull it out to open the latch. I like that it’s not too small or fiddly, so it’s easy to use, even with my long nails.
The pillory can be used two different ways. First, it can be hung vertically, so that the person in the pillory must bend over to get their head and hands through the holes. Second, it can be hung horizontally, so that the person can be put in the pillory while standing or sitting up straight. This is done by attaching the chains to the D-rings on the sides of the pillory using the provided cotter pins and chains. It is simple and does not require any tools to achieve (you will need tools to attach the provided D-rings to a hard point in your ceiling).
All of the chains and fittings that you need to accomplish this are contained in two canvas bags included in the set.
Lodbrock Pillory Set Review – Final Thoughts
Overall, I really love the Lodbrock Pillory Set. It is a complete play scene in one box and will certainly inspire many enjoyable moments. I really appreciate the chance to do this review and I know I will be playing with these toys for years to come.