In the Lost Forum there was a recent discussion regarding what constitutes True Self Bondage. We've all heard the old saw about "it isn't bondage until you want to get loose", however when playing solo I always want to be able to get loose due to concern about various dire situations (fire, earthquake, break-in, sudden health problems, police at the door, etc).
My personal kinkage requires rope rather than cuffs or other means of restraint and one of my safety rules is that I must be able to get loose quickly, preferably in one minute or less. Therefore although most ropes are done up quite tight, the wrist rope is always something I can easily slip and there are shears within easy reach.
Unless there's a major emergency, a cheap kitchen timer is my escape method. Letting myself loose before the allotted time is reached results in the ropes being put away for the rest of the day and no more play of any kind is permitted.
This works for me. My bliss comes from feeling the bite of the ropes, watching myself in the mirrors, squirming around, maintaining a good edge, and drifting into sub space. Perhaps because I have such an active imagination, easy escape does nothing to blunt my enjoyment.
I know this approach wouldn't work for some (perhaps most). I wonder how many others use the Honor System rather than "true" bondage.