Paddles are very common in impact plays in BDSM. Everyone has a paddle or many at their disposal, even wooden kitchen utensils are used as paddles sometimes if you would like. On the other hand, choosing the best tools for the scene require you to familiarize with the paddles a bit more. 

Sensations: Sting and Thuddy

Sting is skin deep but very painful and thuddy goes deeper into the tissue. Materials which are smaller, narrower, lighter and more flexible give you sting feelings and larger, heavier and more rigid ones give you thuddy feeling. 

Materials:

ACRYLIC & PERSPEX – It’s like plastic (but not) and will deliver an intense sting. Sensations can also vary depending on flexibility, thickness, and density.

BAMBOO – Lightweight and easy to wield, but it can hurt (sting) a lot!

FUR – The core of the paddle will be something firmer (often plastic or layers of fake leather) but the outside will be wrapped, soft, and gentle. Great for warmups or beginners. 

GLASS – It might seem intimidating, but a well-made glass paddle (or any adult product for that matter) will not break. Just make sure there are no weak points in its construction or severe stress points within the glass.

KEVLAR – Yes, the stuff in bulletproof vests. It’s got little to no shock absorbency, so it will sting, Sting, STING! However, it’s not a common material and will be more expensive than most other paddles. You might also be able to find ones in Carbon Fiber (which is similar to Kevlar, at least in BDSM uses).

LEATHER – Considered to be a traditional BDSM material. If it is wood (or other hard materials) wrapped in leather, it will be more thuddy. Paddle makers do this either to save on cost or create something that offers different sensations than pure leather.

LEXAN – It’s like a tougher, and more expensive, version of acrylic. It can also be bought in different grades of flexibility and density – for example, it can sometimes be used as bullet-resistant glass.

PLASTIC – A lower density compared to other materials and can sting like a bitch.

RUBBER – Not for beginners or the faint of heart. It’s generally a thuddy tool, but one that can deliver a great amount of pain (and, if you don’t know what you’re doing, dangerous).

SILICONE – Smooth and soft but very stingy. It’s also very easy to clean/sterilize – which makes it a good option if you’re going to a dungeon or playing with multiple partners.

STAINLESS STEEL – inflexible and VERY hard, as well as dense. Can be incredibly painful. Not for beginners.zhe

WOOD – Different kinds of wood will have different densities, and therefore different levels of shock absorption. Some woods are also selected for their appearance. Combined with carving and staining/painting, there are unlimited choices.

Now that you read the whole thing, remember, do not overthink it, just pick one and start playing!