Using Paddles in Impact Play
Paddles vary greatly in size, composition, and features. Attempting to capture every aspect of a paddle while also accounting for these various factors was challenging, to say the least.
For the sake of simplicity, we opted to include three types of paddles: oak, acrylic, and leather. For our math-minded kinksters, we provided some specifications to assist in making ratings. The measurements of every paddle were provided: 12" (30.4 cm) long, 5" (12.7 cm) wide, and 1/2" thick (1.3 cm).
The sample size reduces to 34 individuals for this portion of the survey with the breakdown as follows: 19 bottoms, 6 Tops, and 9 switches.
We asked participants to respond with how each of these three paddles would change (More Sting, More Thud, No Change, NA/Unsure) if the following things were done to it:
Adding holes
Adding ridges
Adding spikes or bumps
Adding padding
Increasing its thickness
What we find in the responses is that the material used to make a paddle has little to nothing to do with the actual sensation it can inflict. Rather, it is the features of a paddle that matter the most.
That being said, when it comes to ridges, spikes, or bumps however, it’s anyone’s guess.
Everyone seems to agree that if padding is added to a paddle, it will become thuddier regardless of what it’s made of.
96% agree that padding will add more thud to oak paddles, while 94% say the same regarding acrylic, and 85% agree with leather. Likewise, the majority rules pretty clearly that adding holes to a paddle will increase its sting: 90% (oak), 86% (acrylic), and 70% (leather).
While the results support the notion that a thicker paddle has more thud when it comes to oak (81%) and leather (79%), the acrylic thickness is divided exactly in half: 50% say the thickness of an acrylic paddle increases thud, 41% say it increases in sting and 9% say it won’t change at all.
In cases where the percentages spanned 50% or less, we determined that it was simply too varied of a factor to capture objectively, and the results were deemed a ‘wildcard’.
Textures (spikes/bumps and ridges) appear to rely heavily on the individual’s personal experience, deeming the results another ‘wildcard’, with the exception of an acrylic paddle (72% agree it will increase sting).
Our recommendation for play: Not all paddles are created equal. Start slowly in your exploration of paddles and keep in mind thickness, padding, and holes in particular when deciding on a toy that’s right for you.
