Paddles are among the best known BDSM instruments. They are mainly used to spank, instead of the hand.
A little history...
The word "paddle" comes from the typical shape of paddles, used for rowing.
They are generally made of wood, but also leather, metal, and other more or less noble materials, resistant to repeated impacts. With holes for their aerodynamics, or without.
Originally, they were invented to cause severe pain without causing permanent harm to the recipient, as part of corporal punishment.
The most famous paddles in history have been used:
- In schools with corporal punishment
- In slavery
- In families with domestic discipline
- In the prisons with the physical corrections
Paddle paddles are generally less painful than other instruments like canes and whips .
Due to their large impact surface, the pain is more striking and more distributed, which reduces it.
But some have some particularities, such as those made of steel cables , whose area is less, or the vampire paddles , equipped with sharp points.
Impact games with paddle
The privileged places of the body on which to use the paddles are the buttocks and the thighs.
Being generally made of hard and resistant materials, these very fleshy areas make it easier to avoid any risk of damage to bones and organs.
The best zone in terms of sensations is at the bottom of the buttocks, just above the junction between the buttocks and the thighs. The vibrations of the impact at this location allow stimulation of the erogenous zones.
As with other instruments, the more gradually you go, the further you can go in your practice. Also remember to change the place of impact regularly and to alternate the two buttocks.
Here is an infographic to help you, concerning the impact zones. Particularly suitable for hard and rigid materials.
At the level of the marks, the classic paddles will especially make the skin redden, which can go as far as bruising, depending on the intensity of the impact.
More original paddles can leave a variety of different marks, circles, lines, or even many small dots.
Choose your paddle well
It is important to choose your paddle according to your experience, and the level of pain you wish to receive or inflict.
In general, the more you choose a flexible paddle, and with a large impact surface, the more thuddy and soft it will be. On the contrary, the more the material will be rigid and the contact surface reduced, the more it will be painful and stingy.
It is important to have quality material so that it does not risk breaking, especially if you like very energetic spankings. It would be inappropriate for your paddle to break and force you to finish your session earlier than expected. Or worse, hurt your partner.
Prefer noble materials, which will last over time. It is better to invest in few quality instruments, than in equipment that you will have to change quickly, and which will not bring you real satisfaction.
Wood remains a safe bet, and an essential part of your gear, but don't hesitate to choose it with a spicy face, or covered in another way, the 2 in 1 saves money while varying the sensations.
Also listen to your desires and your fetishes, if you are a fan of leather for example, many paddles entirely in this material, or covered with it, can make you capsize.
Health and Safety
It is important to take care of your paddles, and to clean them according to their composition.
It is necessary to dry the wood well, even treated, after having cleaned it.
If you use a paddle that can cause bleeding, it will also need to be disinfected between each use.
The leather will have to be nourished with an appropriate oil. Coconut oil may be suitable.
The metal, if it is stainless steel, will require less care, but will still need to be cleaned.
I recommend cleaning after and before each session to keep them in top shape.
To store them, it is best to stay in a dry place, away from light. Suspended or wrapped to avoid shocks, which would reduce their lifespan.
Regarding safety, make sure your paddle is free of cracks, chips, or any imperfection that could cause unintentional injury to your partner.
Respect the safe areas for the strongest impacts, and modulate the intensity on the most sensitive or fragile areas.
Handle it with caution, and always with your partner's consent.