Toy Tuesday: Paddles and Whips

Hi Guys! So glad to be back doing another Toy Tuesday. I'm a little rusty, so bear with me. I thought I'd get back into the swing of things with one of my absolute favorite toys. Strap in; this is a fun one, and one that too many people get confused with.

Today's Toy: Toys for spanking! (Paddles and Whips)

Spanking, or erotic spanking, is the act of striking someone's backside, including their ass or upper thighs, for sexual gratification. Regularly used in BDSM or ageplay, erotic spanking goes back to the Etruscan civilization. The earliest recordings of this act date back to 5th century B.C., fresco-ed in the Tomb of Whipping, located in Central Italy. Apparently, Etruscans were known for being freaky. They used tools ranging from floggers and canes, and paved the way for some of the same toys we use today.

You can be as creative as you want when it comes to which implements you use. Some people use everyday items like rulers, hair brushes, belts, feather dusters, rug beaters, shoes, or their hand, but I'm going to highlight the main types you can purchase at a sex shop.

• Paddles: A paddle is made of two parts, the blade and handle. It's regularly small enough to be held with one hand, but some models (for more extreme spankers) are large enough that two hands are needed. Blades are normally 3-4 inches wide and can range from 6 inches to 3 ft long. Paddles can be made from silicone, plastic, wood, rubber, or leather, and some have additional trimmings/linings such as studs, fur, or satin. Shapes can be novelty, rectangular, square, or round (like a ping pong paddle).

• Standard Whip: Don't act like you don't know what it looks like; we've all seen Indiana Jones.

• Crop: Short and lash-less, this whip is used in the mainstream as a horse riding crop. Size does not vary much (ranging around 30 inches), but materials include, fiberglass/plastic shafts and a leather, plastic or vinyl head. Most crops, though similar in style, have a few differences to make them fun. Fur, braided handles, and novelty shapes are just some of the alterations you can find.

• Cat o' nine tails: A gnarlier version of the standard whip, is the Cat o' nine tails. I recommend this one if you have a higher threshold for pain. Made from leather, plastic, vinyl, or rope, don't let this whip's name fool you; nine does not stand for the amount of straps it contains. Though some models have only a few straps, others are pretty abundant. Either way, it's going to hurt. Cat o' nine designs include barbed wired, braided, knotted (as seen below), or studded.

• Cane: Elongated and flexible, bamboo's the only way to go. Many specialty canes will come with a handle for easier use.

• Birch Rod: A cross between a cane and a cat o' nine, the birch rod is a bundle of leafless twigs fastened together for easier use. Despite the name, these bundles do not have to be limited to birch branches; they can be made from any strong and smooth wood such as hazel or willow.

For tips on how to spank properly, Good Vibrations has got it covered. Remember: half the fun of spaking is the anticipation, so build it up. When it comes to using a dual sided paddle (fur or satin on one side, wood or hard plastic on the other), make sure to take advantage of both sides. For the best results, smack with the harder side first, then softly stroke the area once red with the softer material. It feels aaaamazing.

Similar to any other pain/pleasure related activity, make sure you discuss both parties tolerance beforehand. Ignoring or not knowing these levels can turn some fun foreplay into a scary or bad situation quickly.

And finally, one of the top reasons spanking implements are so great to use is their care and maintenance. No cleaning necessary, just use and then store or hang up anywhere. If you don't mind letting your freak flag fly, just hang them over the bed or somewhere where access is easier.

Difficulty to use:

As long as you know how hard your partner likes to receive it, it's pretty much baby town frolics. Spank away.

Versatility:

You are pretty much getting the same exact result no matter what toy you use, but there are plenty or styles and sizes to choose from.

My Rating:

What can I say? I love spanking. Paddles and crops are my favorite, and if I could, I'd go all Christian Grey and line them up in my Red Room of Pain. No shame in my game.

Boyfriend's Rating:

He has no words.