Corset boning

I am a great admirer of corsets, but I don't know too much about them. One thing I know for certain though- I HATE plastic boning! I'm all steel all the way.

Ahh, steel...

Now this is a corset. Look at it! It doesn't need you, it laughs at that thought. It can support itself. Why? Because it's as tough as steel. Hell, it can stand up straight as you would if you were wearing this thing. Thus why I hate plastic boning.

Plastic warps, it bends, it pokes, it wounds my sides, and it doesn't last very long at all. I find full steel corset bones to be more comfortable than this plastic Barbie hell digging itself into my spleen. I did a little research (very little research) and found out some things about different types of steel boning.

Spiral steel bones:
Spiral steel bones are a universal style bone used in many theaters and ballet companies. They support the garment but allow great mobility creating corsets that can be danced in and are comfortable to wear. If using these for bridal or in a white bodice, make sure they are well encased to avoid a shadow effect since the bones are gray.
 http://www.voguefabricsstore.com/6mm-1-4-Spiral-Steel-Bones-Several-Lengths.html

Spiral bones have the most flexibility of all bones, being able to move both forwards and backwards and side to side. They are the best choice for a bodice that requires boning but is going to be worn for dance or other motion activities. They are not a good choice for front panels of bodices/corsets for women who wear a c-cup or more. Spiral bones are the most flexible and least supportive.
https://www.farthingalescorsetmakingsupplies.com/bones.php

Spring steel bones:
The white steel boning, a.k.a. spring steel, flexes only forward and backward, not side to side, and are appropriate for the center backs of corsets where support is needed on either side of the grommets.
http://www.voguefabricsstore.com/White-Spring-Steel-Bones-and-Spiral-Bones

Spring Steel Bones are also known as "white" bones, this is for the obvious reason; they are white. The white however is only a plastic like nylon coating that protects the steel and inhibits rust. Spring steel bones should be quite rigid; able to flex but not easily bent. They flex only forward and back not from side to side. The thickness of the bone is very important, more so than the width *giggle*. Spring steel should be used down center back of all corsets.
https://www.farthingalescorsetmakingsupplies.com/bones.php


Spring steel bones are the good stuff. Sturdy, long lasting, and dipped in a plastic coat so they are washable and won't get all rusty (like the spiral steel bones *leers*).

There are also some other special bones called Lacing Bones:

Basically, you put these suckers down the center back of your corset to reinforce your grommets. If you ever had a grommet that popped out of alignment of your corset, lo and behold your saviour! These are great support for long term lacing or "tight lacing". http://www.farthingalesla.com/lacing_bones.html

And last and most certainly least, plastic boning:
Designed for flexible support, rust resistant, very flexible, not suitable for "waist reducing" corsets but, rather, is used to keep garments from rolling up. These bones cannot be sewn into curver channels, but are great if you live in a high voltage area.
http://store.corsetmaking.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PLASTICBONE&Store_Code=CMS

Hope this has helped, happy lacing! <3!