I am locked back into the Jail Bird again as of today, but with one difference in that it is being held by a regular padlock now instead of the security screw. I was experimenting with it during my short, few days of freedom, and I definitely think that at least the one key is almost completely rounded out and useless now. I could get the screw IN somewhat easily but to back it back out requires catching it at just the right angle with the right amount of pressure (not too hard, for fear of stripping it even more!) Just dry-fitting the cage and base ring together with the screw, I almost didn’t think I was going to get it back out at all, but eventually did. It’s not exactly a chance I want to knowingly take while wearing it though!
I asked Angel if she had the second key to see if it worked any better, but she wasn’t finding it right away. We’ll probably have to clean out her bedside drawer at some point and see if it’s buried in there somewhere! But for now, this will work. I suppose.. Sort of…
I’m definitely not a huge fan of the padlock on this device, and would much rather be back to a security screw! The sideways facing lock just feels extremely bulky to me. Not to mention the fact that it doesn’t really keep the cage and base ring completely tight against each other. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not going to come apart or allow me to squeeze out of it or anything like that, but there is definitely some wiggling between the two parts now. And experience has shown me that wiggling chastity parts tends to lead to occasional pinch points and stray-hair pulling! OUCH!
I have not yet contacted Mature Metal about the key issue, but suspect that I will have to send the whole thing back in to them for repair. While I’m at it, I have also heard that they have a way to sort of “countersink” the screw head into the cage which helps prevent it from working loose over time. I am definitely interested in doing that! Size-wise I think I’m still good, so no need to make any more adjustments there!
I’m just kind of bummed about not having the cage for a week or so, however long it takes to turn it around… Just this last 3 days seemed very strange not being locked, as much as I’ve gotten used to it over the past many months! I don’t really have a very good backup right now either, since my old CB-6000s busted the last time I tried to use it.
So in a moment of weakness (or genius!) what I’ve decided to do is test drive a whole new device!
The HolyTrainer V3 is brand new for 2018 (I think… it may have been out sometime in late 2017, so don’t quote me on my facts! Lol) I’ve always heard a lot about the HolyTrainer line of chastity devices but before I went the Custom Steel route I was always more in the CB-xxxx camp. I’m very interested to try one on though and see how it compares to any other cage I’ve ever worn.
So I have ordered one, and it should be here sometime within the next couple days or so! The HTV2 is still available as well, but if I’m going to do this I may as well go with the latest and greatest HTV3, right? I figure that even if I only wear it for a week or two, that should be enough to come up with any pros and cons about it and decide if it’s worthy to keep around as a spare device for situations just like this one.
If anybody is currently in a HolyTrainer or has experience with them in the past and would like to let me know what to expect, I’m all ears! 🙂 Am I going to be sorely disappointed if for no other reason than I’m taking a step backwards from the custom Mature Metal device that I know and love?
https://polldaddy.com/js/rating/rating.jsYou will really enjoy the Holy Trainer just for those days when you need something different. I have a few incredible custom devices, but the HTv2 I have sometimes just feels great for a few days of change.
Awesome, good to hear- thanks! BTW I’ve been reading your blog for a while as well and that endorsement for the HolyTrainer carries a lot of weight coming from you! 🙂 I can’t wait to try it out
Fantastic! Thanks for following me along on my journey as well.
https://polldaddy.com/js/rating/rating.jsI use the security screw, and also had MM countersink it. Without the countersinking I had also found that a pair of pliers could easily grip the screw head and remove it. Now, for us anyway, I could remove my device any time I want, but for me, psychologically I much prefer knowing that with the countersunk security screw there is no way it’s coming apart with the special driver.
If all you want is a new screw and driver, you shouldn’t need to send it back to MM. Just order a new screw and driver. BTW, it appears MM uses a standard 8-32 screw, so you could order a stainless steel 8-32 screw and replace it yourself. If you buy one with a Torx head, and buy two torx drivers (one for backup) then it’s not too much different from the custom driver MM provides. Tamper resistant torx drivers are not easily found at you local hardware store. One last note. I had an older device that did not fit well, so as an experiment I tried countersinking it myself. It was actually easily done with the right high quality drill bit. Basically you just enlarge the hole on one side of the cage shaft. But if you don’t use a jig it’s likely you’ll be offcenter, affecting the fit.
All that said, if you do send your device back to MM for countersinking and a new screw, they grind down the width of the screwhead to allow a smaller counter. It works quite well, and I am very very happy I went that route.
Bottom line….I strongly recommend the countersunk screw option, AND have MM do it to ensure it’s right. The device is too expensive to ruin it trying it yourself.
https://polldaddy.com/js/rating/rating.jsOops. First paragraph, last sentence, the word “with” should be “without” .
Thanks for the tip! You’re right I could probably handle the countersinking part myself but think it would be better to just let them do it.. And yes, I could probably find a different screw myself too, but wouldn’t really want just a regular torx head that I could readily get out of any time I’m in my workshop… I do like that the MM key is at least somewhat unique, I just wish it was a little stronger so it didn’t round off at the tip so easily.
I use a Jailbird and a small padlock. I have filed the lock so that all the edges are rounded. I find it quite secure. Good luck with the holy trainer. I’m curious to hear your review. Personally I don’t like the CB 6000. So maybe at some point I’ll get a holy trainer myself.
Hmm, so just curious because I think everybody I’ve ever specifically interacted with who has a MM device always seems to have the security screw… With your padlock, can you sort of “wiggle” the cage portion side to side along the locking post on the base ring, or is it nice and solid?
Because mine does wiggle, but I’ve wondered if the hole is just slightly too large for a padlock hasp since it was drilled out for a screw.. When the screw is in place it doesn’t move at all, and I like that much better!
Doesn’t really wiggle. The hole is snug on the padlock and the cage is snug on the stump.
https://polldaddy.com/js/rating/rating.jsI also use a MM Jailbird with a small padlock. I originally had the security screw but one day I tested with a pair or pliers to see if I could grip the round headed screw. I found that I could easily unlock it or lock it with greater force than the with the key.! So the magic was lost.
Now we use a small brass padlock with one key that my wife keeps. There is a bit of movement because the hole is a little larger than the shank of the padlock. But I don’t find it a problem.
I have a second Jailbird which is a little smaller but not always as comfortable as I went a little too narrow. For that one I didn’t get the security screw at all and the padlock fits snugly.
So it appears that the security screw is a little larger than the typical small padlock. I have no issues with the padlock.
Yep I agree, based on everybody’s accounts here it does seem to be the case that the hole for a security screw is a bit wider. Makes sense at least. So I think I’ll stick with the screw but definitely want to see about the countersinking option. I believe that would also solve @Trappedandloved ‘s issue of being able to remove the screw with a pair of pliers!
Thanks for the feedback everyone!