When I go to events like Hell Events = Alterno, Mega Alterno or Prague Fetish Weekend, I always discover new techniques and fetishes that just draw you in. But this year, I was completely blown away by something I’d only vaguely heard of before – clawdering.
I first noticed it with the performer Marvel, a well-known creator of metal accessories and tools. At first glance, it looked unassuming—metal gloves with extended claws. But when you touch human skin with them, a real spectacle of sensations begins.
What exactly is clawdering?
In layman’s terms, it involves playing with “claws”—usually metal, sometimes plastic or acrylic—which the dominant uses for:
- gentle scratching and stroking,
- creating temporary marks on the skin,
- stimulating sensitive areas,
- or for harder, even painful scratching that can leave marks.
It is a combination of sensation play and marking – that is, leaving marks that can serve as a visual reminder of the entire scene.
My First Encounter
I remember standing at Alternu in the back of the hall, where Marvel was demonstrating its “claw gloves.” A submissive model was tied to a cross, her eyes closed, waiting for a touch. When the claws lightly slid down her arm, her whole body shuddered. And then—suddenly a sharp scratch across her back.
The audience audibly gasped for breath.
I had the chance to try it out later in a small private session—and I have to say, it has its own charm. The touch of metal is cold, a bit impersonal, but in combination with sharp pressure, it creates an electrifying mix of pain and pleasure.
My partner Aly and I also experienced clawdering at the last EroFest fair in Prague —specifically in the Alterno Chambers section, which was dedicated to BDSM, shibari, fetishes / kinks and other similar pastimes… 🙂
Risks and Safety
Clawdering isn’t for everyone and has its own rules. If you’re tempted to try it, keep the following in mind:
For beginners, I recommend getting plastic or acrylic claws and saving metal for when you know what your body (or your partner’s body) can handle.
INTERVIEW with founder Marvel on the Lascivni podcast:
Scenario Tip
Clawdering works beautifully in combination with other forms of BDSM. Imagine the scene:
- The submissive is tied to a bed or a cross.
- He is blindfolded, so he doesn’t know when the next touch will come.
- The Dominant alternates gentle strokes of her nails with sharp scratches.
- This can be accompanied by a kiss, a piece of ice, candle wax, or even a slap—the contrast deepens the intensity.
- In the end, the body remains dotted with red lines—a map of the entire game.
Such a scene is visually powerful and at the same time offers a wonderful range of sensations from tenderness to raw pain.
Summary
Clawdering isn’t just a game with metal claws – it’s a way to explore the boundary between pleasure and pain. It’s just starting to gain traction on the Czech fetish scene, but in my opinion, it has great potential. If you like visual marks, the combination of cold metal and a sharp touch, this technique might completely captivate you.
And me? I know that the next time I see Marvel / Lance with his metal gloves, I won’t miss out on this experience.
