This adorable paddle is a fun addition to your cache of beating implements. It is good for a beginner to BDSM play, but part of the design makes it easily damaged. However, it's very fun to use and, if done correctly, it does leave some cute red hearts on your ass--so I'd say it's worth trying out!

The paddle is 12" long and about half of that is the handle so there's about 6" of spanking surface. It was a little smaller than I expected but big enough to pack a wallop. It is made of two layers of stitched, heavy leather. The handle has the two layers stitched together and on the hitting surface the two layers are split, which allows it to make a nice snapping sound when spanking! One side is flat leather, and the other side has heart cut-outs to make an impression. It is very pretty and feels good to hold in the hand.

The design flaw that I mentioned is that the red background behind the hearts is some kind of paper. I haven't tested this theory but I'm pretty sure if you got it wet or even damp, or got any kind of lube or oil on it, during your play that the paper would be ruined. Granted--you could cut the paper out and the paddle will still be perfectly functional--but the red part really makes it cute and would be better if it was made from either plastic or fabric to be more durable.

When being spanked with this, it can be just a fun noisy tap or all the way up to a stingy thud, depending on how forcefully it's used. To make the heart impressions, it does have to be swung quite hard and not done over in the same place as that will remove the mark and just make your butt pink all over.

The spanking works great on thighs too but I'd use the flat side if you were going to slap breasts with it--it seems like the heart cut-outs do not work well with smaller body parts.

Another nice thing about this paddle is that its whimsical design is non-threatening--a perfect entree into some light BDSM play for someone who might be curious but reluctant. If you want to get spanked or you want to spank somebody, this will keep it light-hearted--great for a first try.

I got this for my Mister for Valentine's Day and I'd say the hearts certainly make it a great gift for that time of year! He used it on me, first lightly, which is just a slight tappy sting, then harder, which is a deeper thuddy stinging that moves through me quite well. We both loved the snapping noise it makes and he certainly loved the noises that I was making right along with it--giggles at first, then whimpers when he started hitting harder. Afterward, I wiggled around showing off the cute hearts on my butt. What a fun toy!