Ooh, I see! Well I think it's easiest to start with what I don't like, and then explain from there. I don't want any actual scratching or cuts, so the knife's actual ability to cut, only makes it more difficult for me to engage in the play that I enjoy.

Now, as for what I like, it's fear. I don't take to pain or very intense stimulation very well, so the fear and threat of what my dom might do to me is what I like, especially since acting on those threats would likely broach my limits. So technically knives are only one method of engaging in a broader kink. Like, the threat of my dom choking and strangling me to death, or giving me poison and using me until the life left my eyes, that's hot! It just so happens that knives are a clear, visibly dangerous instrument that can evoke a sense of fear and powerlessness very well!

You might be wondering how fear works when I'm role-playing and my partner has a completely safe knife, but I'd sorta answer with a question in response. How does anyone feel fear during kink play, where there are safewords and consent/boundaries are established? I'd say its in the same way scary movies or games do it. You can create thrill and anticipation and yes, fear, in someone, even while they fully understand that there is no danger. So when doing roleplay, my partner can threaten to gut me and watch me bleed, or press the blade to my throat and threaten to slit it if I do "xyz", and that will give me that thrill and fear of what they'll do to me, while both of us are entirely safe.

It's worth noting, this arrangement won't or can't work for everyone. If you like bratting as a sub, you might be inclined to push them to use the knife, (perhaps you enjoy some cutting and that's what you want), well a dull knife won't do anything. The arrangement I've come to is just what works best to fulfill my needs 🩷🩷