Materials

Nylon Rope

Without nylon rope, no life is possible! It is strong, and it feels good on the skin. In addition, it has the good property that it can be melt through by a soldering iron. The only disadvantage is that it is very elastic, which makes it inappropriate for some applications.

Rope Ratchet

I don't know how this is called in English, but it is very useful, not only for selfbondage.

Screwlinks

Screw links can be used instead of padlocks at places that you cannot reach with your hands. This saves money, and it allows you to keep your bundle of keys of reasonable size.

Welding Wire

Wielding wire is 1 meter long. It is 2,3,4 mm thick, and consists of iron, with a thin layer of cupper on the surface. It can be pinched quite easily, and soldering tin holds very well on it. It is quite easy to make e.g. cuffs from it, or a rope lock (see the rack). I also have made the ice cube hooks from it (see the release mechanisms).

Butterfly Chain

Butterfly chain is a type of metal chain. The links consist of pieces of metal wire that are ingeniously twisted into the form of a butterfly, or an eight. (See the drawing). It is cheap, strong, and thin. It costs app. 1 Euro/meter. It can be easily cut with a pair of pinchers. It comes in various thicknesses. You need quite a lot of it in various thicknesses for the basic position and the BPBH.

Sometines the ends (see drawing) are sharp. This will hurt your skin. Try to feel the ends in the shop before you buy it. If this is not possible, for example because a seller disturbs you, simply buy the chain, and polish the ends at home with a file. It is not much work.

After cutting butterfly chain, always remove incomplete links.

Padlocks

Padlocks cost about 5 Euro. I have one ABUS N65/30, (With a body of 3x3cm) and 6 ABUS N65/20 (With a body of 2x2cm). The type does not matter very much, but there are some restrictions on the sizes of the padlocks, see the scenario descriptions. Padlocks are always sold with two keys. Make two bunches of keys, containing the keys in the same order. It is a good idea to color put tags on the keys and on the locks.

Metal Rings

You need metal rings for the BPBH and for the rack.

Tools

Soldering Iron

Soldering irons are used by decent people for connecting electrical components. I use them for constructing release mechanisms.

Tongs and Pinchers

Butterfly chain is easy to cut with pinchers. Tongues you need for example to make a rope lock out of metal wire.

Coloured Pens

Use coloured pens to mark the locks and the keys. It will save you a lot of time, when freeing yourself. (At least when it is light)