My wife and I bought this toy for some BDSM excitement and spankings. She so loves her spankings.

MATERIALS: We have owned it now for going on 2 years, and I have to say, it is made very well. No signs of wearing or tearing. The coloring is still good as it was new! It holds up very well, I would say. Made out of faux-leather, it is both durable and easy to clean with a little mild soap and water as needed. Note: it is simple to "clean" the appearance, but, with the materials, it's not really going to be sterile, so if you use this on genitals, etc., keep that in mind - this paddle is best as a one person paddle.

SMELL: I really haven't noticed much of a smell to it. If anything, it maybe has a mild leather-like smell. There is nothing at all that would be bothersome.

HANDLING: The handle makes up about half of the overall size which is nice for a good grip. My hands are a bit large, and it fits comfortably - very beginner-friendly as far as using it. Feel free to spank hard with this toy as it flexes pretty easily, and it is next to impossible to cause real harm. (Of course, if you go at it with a psychotic rage, I am sure you could hurt someone.)

SENSATIONS: The wife notes a nice sting to it, but nothing insanely painful. It's not real easy to get the XOXO pattern to show up because of the flexibility. One nice thing is that, if you just want to use a flat paddle, flip it over; it works just as well that way.

STORAGE: Since the paddle weighs next to nothing, and it is VERY slim (at only around 12" long), it is simple to store about anywhere you want. (We keep ours in the sock drawer.)

TRAVELING: Being as small and lightweight as it is, taking it with you anywhere is very easy - especially for women. You can easily stick it in a medium size purse, and no one would know!

SUGGESTED USES: It is fairly soft and flexible, so using it on most parts of the body is safe. I prefer spanking an ass more than anything myself but also spanking of the genitals, breasts, inner and outer thighs, back, bottoms of the feet are all pretty safe to do. I am sure with repeated "aggressive" use, this paddle would break long before any bones would *wink*.

To note: This item is generally good for those who would consider themselves "beginners" in BDSM or spankings in general. This is NOT for hardcore use as it just isn't made for it. (meaning, the overall design is a bit too soft and flexible)

Our experience with the paddle is mixed: it can be exciting, but it is next-to-impossible to get the pattern to show up on flesh.

We generally use it while she is tied up, face down on the bed, or if we are having doggy-style sex, and want a little extra spark. It is just the right size for a good face-down spanking, and it feels nice enough in the hand. It is not too big and clumsy for using in doggy-style position either - which is a plus.