cock confidence, reviews

Review: Spartacus Leathers

I’m not sure I get it really, why leather turns me on so much, I mean, hell, I was vegan for about five years and got very political about using the skins of other animals … but I just find it so very sensual. Even the smell. I remember Babeland once carried leather-scented lube … I’ve often wished I’d bought some.

Spartacus Leathers sent me a couple goodies that arrived this week, and I’ll be writing ’em up soon. When they approached me about some reviews, I asked them about their company policies and how they operate, and this is what they told me:

Spartacus Leathers is legendary in Portland, OR for the retail outlet we’ve had downtown since 1987. The brick & mortar retail store has two sections: The “all-ages” section full of alt-fashion and costumes and accessories, and the “18+” section full of sex toys, BDSM gear, and adult books and videos. It is extremely woman-friendly, staffs a huge range of freaks and fabulousness, and is managed by a lesbian woman.

Spartacus Leathers is also a manufacturer. Our biggest sellers are our cock rings and nipple clamps, but we also specialize in a wide range of bondage and S&M gear. Both the company and the store support local leather groups, gay pride groups, and all sorts of alternative sexuality groups because, well, they’re our people AND our customers. We are extremely health-conscious. We offer lots of phthalate-free elastomer and nitrile cock rings and vibrators.

All things that I really love to hear! I had never heard of Spartacus before, next time I’m in Portland I’ll definitely visit their store (and Powell’s of course, which is just about the best bookstore in the world). I’m really impressed with the quality of their leather. There are a couple more things on their site I have my eye on now – I’m still in search of The Most Amazing Perfect Harness Ever, as I’m just not happy with any of the harnesses I have at the moment, but perhaps I’ll find that through Spartacus. Here’s hoping!

Published by Sinclair Sexsmith

Sinclair Sexsmith (they/them) is "the best-known butch erotica writer whose kinky, groundbreaking stories have turned on countless queers" (AfterEllen), who "is in all the books, wins all the awards, speaks at all the panels and readings, knows all the stuff, and writes for all the places" (Autostraddle). ​Their short story collection, Sweet & Rough: Queer Kink Erotica, was a 2016 finalist for a Lambda Literary Award, and they are the current editor of the Best Lesbian Erotica series. They identify as a white non-binary butch dominant, a survivor, and an introvert, and they live outside Seattle as an uninvited settler on traditional, ancestral, & unceded Snoqualmie land.

7 thoughts on “Review: Spartacus Leathers”

  1. There is nothing quite like the sound of a leather harness being tightened. Oh that does things to me for sure.

  2. lou says:

    Spartacus is literally a block away from Powell’s. It’s the sexiest block in the world. I love this city.

  3. Dolce says:

    Why did you give up on veganism?

  4. curious says:

    Out of interest, do you use any harness which has a vibrator for the wearer? As much as I enjoy using a harness, I don’t get off solely from that, so was thinking of getting a harness that would allow for simultaneous pleasure!

  5. Fellow leather fetishist here…..if you ever find the leather scented lube, hit a sister up

    Kisses
    Betty

  6. Sinead says:

    I love your blog generally. And I’m really sad to read that you gave up on veganism and went back to leather.

  7. Bea says:

    I know what you mean about leather. I'm a vegetarian, and I try not to buy any leather new (I did just buy a beautiful pair of leather boots secondhand — that way, I figure, they're getting as much use as possible and the manufacturers aren't getting my money) but I -love- the leather restraints, floggers, etc. some of my friends have, and I'm not about to argue against having them used on me.

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