Thwack paddle - flogging toy by Tantus - review by redhead1977

I wasn't sure what I was expecting with this product. I own quite a few paddles of different materials, but this is my first silicone one, so I was open to anything and didn't have preconceived notions. It's very high quality silicone, which makes clean up and care easy - toy cleaner, mild soap and warm water, boiling, and dishwasher are some of the many options available to you with this material. There's no scent at all, which is nice because I find it detracts from the moment when toys have a distinct odor.

It's interesting to the touch because the silicone is firm when pressed, but stroking it against skin, or to my fingertip, it feels almost velvety, which is kind of fun and lends itself to sensation play, as well. It's 11 3/4 inches in length, but about 5 inches of that is handle. It's 3 1/2 inches across at its widest point and weighs an ounce and a half. It appears as though it's made of 2 layers of silicone sandwiched together, though I don't know if that's the case or if it's just the visible seam left from the mold it was made in. Either way, the seam is smooth and there isn't a rough or jagged spot anywhere. It really is beautifully made. Holding it in my hands, it just feels like quality.

That being said, there is, in my opinion, one major flaw to this toy and that is the lack of rigidity in the handle. I hold this gorgeous piece of equipment in my hand and marvel at the texture, weight, and balance, and when I go to swing it, it just flops. I find it nearly impossible to control and maintain a rhythm because it will swing back and hit my hand, too. Also, because of the floppy handle, it makes for inconsistent striking. It takes a lot of practice to learn how to compensate for that and be able to deliver the kind of strikes you're going for and keep them in the area intended.

When you do make contact, there's a nice thud that resonates deeper in the tissue. You feel it more than skin-deep and that's great. I just wish it was more consistent and easily controlled. That being said, if you do learn techniques to better handle it, you can time your swings so you catch just the tip of the paddle and that can leave a nice sting.

I think, overall, this is a beautifully made piece of equipment that someone with a lot of experience wielding implements, or who has a lot of time to practice to find a technique that works for this one, would enjoy having in their arsenal. This is not, in my opinion, a toy for a novice. I fear it might lead to frustration and might put them off their journey of discovery and that might not happen if they started out with a toy that is easier to use and saved something like this for later.

There is only one drawback to this toy - unfortunately, it's a big one.