Types of Barbells

Externally threaded barbells, so named because the shaft of the bar has threads at both ends to allow beads with recieving threads to be attached. Due to the potential damage or irritation to the piercing when the threads pass through when the jewelrey is inserted or removed, this type of barbell has become less common, due to the popularity of the internally threaded barbell. This type of barbell is usually only used when thegauge of the bar is too small to allow it to be internally threaded, or in cheap, mass produced body jewelry.

Internally Threaded Barbells, so amed because the bar has smooth ends with recieving threads tapped into the end of the bar. In internally threaded jewelry, the bead has a recieving tube machined into it, with a threaded post extending from the center, which mates with the threaded recieving tube on the bar. Being much less likely to cause damage and irritation, especially at the time of piercing, internally threaded jewelry is considered superior to externally threaded jewelry. It is usually slightly more expensive than internally threaded jewelry, due to the extra machining and labor involved.

Curved barbells, so named beacuse of theircurvature. A curved barbell is mechanically identical to a straight barbell, exept for being curved. Curvature on a curved barbell can range from almost stright tocircular, with some barbells actually beingspiral, with the ends overlapping but seperated to allow the insertion of the jewelry. A variation on this design is a J-bar, a slightly curved barbell with a 90 degree bend near one end, used in verticalnavel piercings to position the decorative end of the jewelry more appropriately. They can be either internally threaded or externally threaded.

Bondage bars, a barbell of any type where one or both beads has been drilled to accept a captive bead ring. The ring usually hangs free, but can be worn in a healed piercing.

Types of Beads

Beads for barbells can vary widely in design and appearance, although the vast majority of beads are simplysphericalin design. That being said, any shape that threads can be tapped into can be used as a bead.Cubes,triangles,cylinders,cones and other basic shapes are common alternative bead designs. Some large gauge barbells, especially those used intongue piercings, use "smartie beads", flattened circular beads, to prevent the jewelry from damaging the gums and teeth and allowing free movement of thetongue.

Materials

Barbell style jewelry can and is made from any metal appropriate for makingbody jewelry. Curved barbells with decorative bottom beads for wearing in vertical navel piercings are quite common, often incorporating precious metals or stones. Beads for barbells can vary widely in material, withglassandacrylicbeing common substitues for metals. Beads are often decorative or multi-colored. Because beads do not penetrate the body, often materials not usually considered safe for body piercing are used as beads. This can include otherwise non-body piercing related objects, such asdice or cast objects.

History and Culture

Although at first glance, the manufacture of threaded jewelry might appear to be of contemporary origin, however there are examples of externally threaded, straight barbells being used bytribalpeople, most notably theDayakofBorneo. In contemporary society, barbell style jewelry was popularised byJim Ward, founder ofGauntlet(the firstbody piercingstudio in theUnited States), in the 1970's.

External Links

• Body Modification E-Zine entry on barbell style jewelry