What we used: Rubberwood Spanking Paddle
From: Coco de Mer
Price: £20.50
Material(s): Rubberwood

First thoughts …

Lizzie
I am likely to be a little biased in my review of this Rubberwood Paddle because, straight up, spanking is one of my favourite bedroom activities – receiving rather than giving. With the right partner, the right mood and the right delivery, nothing beats it – no pun intended – although, as those of you who have read my previous reviews will be aware, I am a bit of a masochist, so please keep that in mind when digesting that statement!

Thomas and I tend to purchase most of our toy box items online, but this particular paddle was the result of a browsing session in Coco de Mer and something that I picked out for Thomas to use on me rather than the other way around. To that end, I had the opportunity to handle it and experiment with it before purchasing, so was pretty sure I was going to enjoy its various charms.

 

What it looks like …

Lizzie
Beautiful. The wood is lovely and dark, with a subtle grain, and is finished with a mid-shine lacquer/varnish. Very smooth to the touch. The handle end has a drilled hole, which is threaded with a silk hanging cord in rich red and adorned with a single bead. From a size perspective, it’s just over a third of an inch (1 centimetre) thick and 15 inches in length. (The actual paddle surface area is approximately 7 inches by 4.8 inches.) The fact that it’s made from a sustainable resource (rubberwood) adds to its appeal, too.

Thomas
I agree with Lizzie, well made and finished, not too big and not too small. No sharp edges. The smooth surface makes it easy to clean as well – a definite plus.

 

Using it …

Lizzie
I was really, really looking forward to this spanking paddle coming out. Because I’d given myself a few practise whacks with it in Coco de Mer to gauge the resulting sensations (albeit through my clothes and on the palm of my hand) I had a fairly good idea of what I was in for. A lot of the impact toys in our arsenal are made from leather or suede, though, so I wasn’t entirely sure what sorts of sensations the wood would induce over a prolonged period.

As always, Thomas warmed me up with his hands first to make sure I was moving into the right headspace to accept a higher level of intensity. (For me, starting off slowly and building up is really, really important when playing like this – gradually increasing the temperature rather than plunging myself, cold, into uncomfortably hot bathwater, if you will.) The first whack of the paddle, when it came, thus morphed really nicely with all the sensations already in play on the skin of my buttocks. It definitely felt different to Thomas’s hand, the wood giving a solidity and reverb to the impact that you just don’t get from a palm, and immediately changed the nature of the session we were having.

Although the Coco de Mer Website suggests not hitting in the same place repeatedly with this paddle, Thomas did and got quite a nice little buzz going by doing so. Two or three contacts and everything started to shift as the solidity of the wood began to build a significant reservoir of sensation. He kept to concentrated sets of six for each spot (and made me count them) but I would only recommend this approach if you know your partner very well and you are both familiar with your pain limits. Too many swats in the same place could definitely turn this into a punishment spanking rather than a sensual one. For beginners, go easy, spread the blows, and gradually increase the intensity.

Bodywise, we stuck to the buttocks, although this spanking paddle could also be used on the tops of the thighs. I wouldn’t recommend using it anywhere else, though, as the wood is unforgiving and needs the cushioning of softer flesh to be used safely.

Looking in the mirror afterwards, there was a lovely rosiness to the skin that had been worked on, which, to me, was very pleasing.

Thomas
Simple paddles are great for a lower intensity start to proceedings as they are more ‘thuddy’ than ‘stingy’ since they have a large head to spread the impact. They’re also easier to control than whips, floggers or canes as they’re generally more rigid and won’t flex somewhere unexpected or whip round on the end and catch the recipient somewhere you did not intend. That said, make sure you steer well clear of less padded parts, the spine, kidneys, and other vital organs. It is also very important to practice hitting square as catching your partner with the edge of the paddle (as opposed to the flat) could result in an injury.

As Lizzie is a bit of a spanking tart, I did concentrate in one area to build a good blush and ramp up the intensity. You do need to keep a very close eye on your partner if you do this, though, and make sure he/she is not becoming negatively distressed. (Even if they haven’t used their safeword – and you should always have one in place for this kind of play – watch them closely and stop and check if you’re at all in doubt.) As a general rule, it’s better to move the paddle around a bit but if your partner is quite slim, like Lizzie, you will have fewer options so may need to slow the pace. Regardless of build, make sure you stay well away from any bony bits.

That said, this is a great paddle; pretty much the perfect weight and size for me to get a nice swing without having to clear the room of furniture beforehand, worry about getting it tangled up, etc.

 

The verdict?

Lizzie
I’m a little bit in love. This spanking paddle is lovely to look at, beautifully finished and a joy to be on the receiving end of. A really nice alternative to a ‘traditional’ hand spanking – and it leaves you with a lusciously blushing bottom, too.

Thomas
I rate this product. Well made, nice to use, nice to look at – and certainly has the desired effect.

 

In summary …

Things we liked:

• The look. A really elegant spanking implement that would make a lovely gift for someone who enjoys this type of play.
• That fact that it’s made from a sustainable wood.
• The feel – for both the person wielding it and the person on the receiving end.
• The price. At just over £20.00, it won’t break the bank.
• It’s easy to control. The short length means that it’s unlikely to get away from you.

Things we weren’t so keen on:

• Nothing!

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