Domination & submission _ the BDSM relationship handbook ( PDFDrive )

the construction of paddles, but they can also be made from metal, bamboo,
plastic, carbon-fiber composites, and other synthetic materials. Design
variations may include altering the size and shape of the paddle, adding holes to
enhance the swing speed and strike of the paddle, cutting shapes or letters into
the blade so that it leaves a unique pattern on the subjects skin, and using special
or rare types of wood to enhance the weight, strength or beauty of the paddle.
Paddles may be designed to be held in one hand, or swung with both hands.
When purchasing a paddle, personal preferences will typically dictate most of
your choices, since the functionality of a paddle is rarely called into question. It
is for that reason that a paddle’s aesthetics and appearance often take on greater
importance in the buying decision. Certain types of wood can lend a certain
elegance and beauty to a paddle that otherwise appear very ordinary. Some of
the more unique and attractive woods used in the construction of paddles include
oak, bamboo, maple, black walnut, hickory, mahogany, teak, South American
monterillo, Bolivian rosewood, African padauk, and African bubinga.
It’s interesting that, for such a commonly used and simply constructed item, the
safety concerns regarding paddles could probably fill an entire chapter. You
might think that some of these safety tips are simply a matter of common sense
but, unfortunately these days, there’s nothing common about common sense.
When using a paddle, always strike using the flat side of the paddle blade, never
with the edge. Striking with the blade perfectly parallel to the skin surface
ensures that the force of the strike is evenly distributed across the full length and
breadth of the paddle blade. If there is even the slightest angle which deviates
from the parallel, the strike could be far more painful than intended, and might
even cause serious or permanent damage. A full-force edge strike from a paddle
could easily break a bone or sever nerves and tendons.
It’s also very important to focus your paddle strikes to the muscled or fatty
tissues of the body. By that, we mean the buttocks, thighs, breasts, shoulder
blades and certain portions of the torso. Avoid bony areas, such as the arms,
shoulders, shins, hips, hands and feet, and critically vulnerable areas like the
spinal column, kidneys, neck and head. The most common targets for paddle
play are the buttocks and the backs of the thighs, and it is not uncommon for
people to simply assume that those will be your targets. If your plan involves
striking other parts of the body, then it’s extremely important that you discuss
those plans with the person who’ll be on the receiving end of the paddling.