The Tantus Wham Bam paddle is made for one thing only, and it does that one thing very well. This paddle is a spanking toy that can be used by anyone, and will be enjoyed by most masochists. Don't judge this toy by it's length or thickness...it packs some serious sting! Whether you like over the knee spankings or scenes where your bottom is tied to a St. Andrew's Cross, you can pull out the Wham Bam paddle and enjoy the squeaks and squirms of your victim.

I wouldn't recommend this particular paddle in the line to beginners, as it is a bit logner and the floppiness does take some getting used to. The length also means it can pick up a fair amount of momentum when you swing it. If you're new to paddles and want a high quality silicone one, try the Pelt or Thwack instead! They're shorter, will spread the impact out over a larger area, and can be more easily controlled.

I wasn't originally sure about the design of this toy, but I'm not ashamed to admit I was wrong. The Wham Bam paddle is long and thin, and makes me think of an evil lasagne noodle. The length of the toy is 15" overall, with the handle making up 5" of that. The paddle is 1 7/8" wide, and about 3/8" thick, and it's a bit on the floppy side. The handle is thicker, at 1/2", and it fits really well in my hand. I wear a size medium glove, and my mate, who wears a size large glove, also says it is comfortable in his hands.

The paddle is a gorgeous black silicone, and it's got a lot of drag to it. I'm convinced Tantus chose that finish just so it would sting more! The company's name is on the handle in raised lettering, but it didn't bother me when I use it, and it's far enough down the handle that you don't have to worry about it catching your bottom. There's a seam running around the side of the handle, but it doesn't detract from the functionality of the toy or it's look. I actually like it, as the texture gives me a bit better grip.

I'm going to admit this from the start. Sometimes I'm a lazy Dom. I want to have one or two toys in my bag that will do all the work for me, and will deliver the maximum amount of owch per square inch with minimal caloric expenditure on my part. This isn't to say that I'm not willing to chase/pin down/wrestle with the bottom and end up with both of us exhausted and sweating, but there's a time and place for that. This paddle is easy to use, and delivers some pretty stingy and intense sensation.

I had picked this up knowing it was going to be a stingy toy, and it definitely delivers. When I first tried it out on my forearm, I didn't hit very hard and I was *still* left with a red mark! There was also some swearing involved. I play with a few bottoms who love sting, and this is their new favourite toy. The flexibility of the paddle means you can get a lot of momentum without having to exert a lot of force. It also tends to wrap, so watch for that!

This toy is made of Tantus' silicone, so it's easy to take care of. I've been wiping mine down with a medical wipe between play partners, but you can throw it into a pot (if you have one big enough!) and boil it for a few minutes, toss it into the top shelf of your dishwasher and put it through a wash cycle, or just wipe it down with a 10% bleach solution. That's it. I love that it's so easy to look after.

The packaging was minimal, which I appreciate. The paddle was in a clear plastic bag, and the paddle had a small clear tag attached to the handle with a plastic loop. The text on the tag reads:

"Deliver a broad range of sensations with Tantus paddles - from a playful snap to an attention getting smack! Made from Tantus' own unique blend of ultra-premium silicone, this toy is hypoallergenic, nontoxic, phthalates free, odorless, bleachable, boilable, and even dishwasher safe. With proper care, a Tantus toy can last a lifetime."

The tag and loop were easily removed, but if you plan on hanging your paddle between uses, you could leave the loop on it. I replaced the loop on mine with a length of black latigo leather, which doubles for hanging and also as a wrist loop during use. (Hey, I've seen toys go flying out of a top's hand during an enthusiastic scene before. While hilarious, it does mess with the mood.)

I love this, and so do most of my kinky friends. When I pill this paddle out at parties, most of the sadists try it out on their arm or thigh, wince, and then either giggle or get That Look in their eyes. The subs and bottoms I've show it to try it out and then either try to hide the toy or ask if I can use it on them or lend it to their partner(s). Hey EF, do I get a bonus for being responsible for at least 4 of these being purchased locally?

I love how versatile this design is. When I use the paddle the way it was intented, and the length makes sure that you'll get a pretty good smack on both of your bottom's cheeks. I've also used it on breasts, backs, and thighs, but I modify my technique for the other areas. When I'm trying to use the Wham Bam in a more precise way, I choke up my hold on the paddle and grab it in the middle. Just by tapping or flicking the paddle with two of my fingers, I can deliver a short and accurate smack.


It's still going to be stingy as hell, but you're going to be able to be much more in control of your toy.

The other way I've used the paddle is to use it the way you'd use a flogger. Long strokes in an 'X' pattern on the back works really well, and the it leaves gorgeous broad marks. 'Well tenderized' was how one of my play partners described the sensation.

While this isn't something I would give to or use on the newbie kinkster, it's a great and really versatile toy to add to your toy bag, and I highly recommend it!