Greetings everyone!
I’ve been working on some modifications and have come up with a tweak for my Birdlocked.
Following a chat earlier with ‘I Walk the Line’, I decided that I preferred the security feeling of being more firmly secured in my BL. I know a sharp pair of scissors can easily cut through this device, but who would do that? That kind of damage would also ruin the whole chastity dynamic between me and my wife—meaning it’s all over!
However… I really like the thought of glancing down and realizing there is no easy way out. In other words: the only method for a release from my BL would be if my wife uses her key to unlock me.
So, I decided that the plastic strap and pin needed to go! Even though the design of the pin has improved, I still didn’t want to risk it snapping. Plus… I could see the potential for my plastic strap to stretch out around the holes over time.
What I did was swap out the original strap and pin for metal versions.
I used a clevis pin made from 316 stainless steel. Its diameter is 6.35mm (for metric users) or 1/4 inch imperial. The usable length of the pin, measured from the base flange to its tip, is 9.12mm (which is 23/64 inches), and the overall pin length measures 12.7mm (1/2 inch). I had to drill out a hole in the center of the pin to 3.5mm (or roughly 1/8th of an inch) so it could fit over the lock hasp, carefully filing this area down to smooth out any rough edges.
Next, I found some 304 stainless steel cable tie strips that were 12mm wide (about 1/2 inch). I cut them to my preferred length and drilled a 6.35mm (1/4th of an inch) hole at each end. Once again, I carefully filed down both the newly cut ends and these holes to ensure nothing rough would tear up the silicone on my Birdy.
Lastly, I picked up some plastic bushes with an inner diameter of 6.35mm (1/4th of an inch). I trimmed them to size so they hold the cable tie firmly in place when the lock is slipped through—meaning there’s no wobble between the metal cable tie and the lock hasp on the clevis pin shaft!
Now, whenever I look down, I see that gleaming stainless steel strap and know for sure my locking mechanism is all-metal! Paired with my silver PA chain, this gives me an extra emotional boost of “Hey - there truly IS no escape from this device (unless I choose to break it myself—which is NOT LIKELY!)”
I think the result looks fantastic and constantly reminds me of the choice I made.
J