Everybody
and their dog (literally, if you go by some usernames or personalities!) has
debated the importance, or lack thereof, of a brand.
They’ve
also debated the issues with a real brand compared to a tattoo. I’m not getting
into that debate – my view is clear, I have a brand (not tattoo) on my left
thigh, that was put there EXACTLY as the books describe (so that dispels the
myth of ‘it’ll kill a girl? Unless I’m a ghostie-jira?) – hot iron, inch and a
half high, and half an inch wide.
Now... I
DON’T recommend others have it done, unless properly prepared for the
consequences.
Firstly,
and most obviously, brands aren’t readily available on supermarket shelves. My
Master made mine, and I’m allowed to keep it (now unusable) with me, it
currently lives on the bedside table, on the lamp I use for reading. It took
him ages and many attempts to make it – his first one wasn’t right, and if
you’re going to do it, you need a perfectly straight piece of metal – or it’s
going to show as uneven in the brand.
Heating
the brand – isn’t as easy as you think. It can’t be too hot, and it can’t be
too cold. Master worked on that, and to be honest I don’t remember much of the
heating or branding process.. I think I blocked most of that out, as brains are
prone to doing when it’s in pain! Holding it on my skin, I’m told, took plenty
of focus – as he had to work out just long enough to brand, not so long as to
maim (Thankfully, he got that right!)
Healing
time is A LOT longer than the books – in the books the next day the slave is
bouncing around serving. I was still shaking (your body goes into shock) two
days later, and being fed sugary tea by my Master. He took time off work to
look after me, and didn’t leave my side for more than a couple of minutes (to
shower, for example) for about a week, after that I went to work with him for
nearly two months as my thigh healed. I wouldn’t recommend a BTB brand unless
this is a possibility. Even then, if it starts to get infected – go to the
hospital. Mine did (as people know, I’m uber sensitive) but thankfully with
painful salt solutions and over-the-counter antiseptics, we were prepared and
kept it to a minimum, and didn’t require a hospital visit.
We’ve
always kept my brand ‘under wraps’. This is because my Master has never wanted
people to repeat it, it still aches in the cold, and has occasionally rubbed against
tight clothing (don’t expect to do long horse treks with a brand – I learnt
that the hard way!). This is still the case – but now, after three years (Moved
to him November ’09, branded Sept ’10, engaged December ‘12, married November
’13) He’s allowing me to post a couple of pictures.
So... Here
we go –
When it
was first done:
(Day One, almost immediately after branding)
Now, three
years on:
Is my
brand perfect? No. Perfection is not an achievable goal. But I’d love to see
someone who has had a BTB brand (right size, hot, hand branded) that’s better.
We expect
it to change further in the future, lighter scarring around the edge will fade,
as it already has in places. If the kef fades (which we don’t believe it will),
it will be his decision whether to rebrand me or not. I don’t relish the idea
of going through the pain again – but that’s not my decision.. and since I
promised to ‘love honour and obey’ him, I don’t plan on breaking my promise.