A board of lumber is like a treasure chest. A ten-foot board that appears uniform on the outside may contain a variety of knots, sap deposits, and stunning pops of color or swirls of grain.
At LRS, we take our responsibility as stewards of the environment seriously. We believe that the natural varieties within a board of wood deserve appreciation. We never make our spanking paddles from wood that lacks structural integrity and we never use wood that contains cracks or knots. However, we celebrate the variety in color and figuring and hope that our customers appreciate and love the uniqueness of each LRS adult spanking paddle and implement. No two pieces are ever alike.
Sensation
What Makes A Paddle Stingy or Thuddy?
The three factors that contribute to a spanking paddle's stingy or thuddy sensation are: Density, Thickness, and Shape
Density: All spanking paddles are going to have some degree of sting, because they are hard, flat surfaces. Wood with a higher density is going to create a more intense impact. For example, at the same thickness, Cherry is going to feel more intense than Pine, because Cherry has a higher density. Density can be measured with the Janka Hardness Scale as described below.
Thickness: The thicker the piece of wood, the more thuddy the impact will feel. With spanking paddles made from dense woods, the impact drives into the meat of the bottom, creating a deeper sensation than surface sting. Using the same Pine vs Cherry example, at the same thickness, Cherry is going to feel more thuddy than Pine. If we introduce a wood like Birch, which has a greater density than Cherry, the Birch will feel more thuddy than Cherry as the surface sting carries deeper into the cheek.
Shape: At the same thickness in the same wood, a spanking paddle with a smaller shape is going to have a more intense impact sensation than if the impact is spread out over a greater surface area. For example, our Cruel Mistress wooden-spoon inspired paddle will have a more intense impact than the Governess, which is half an inch wider.
The secret 4th factor, which cannot be measured, is personal experience and preference. Fortunately, our spanking
paddles come in a variety of woods and with our new rewards program, it is easier than ever to build a collection of paddles, each with its own sensation profile
Because every spanking paddle we make is made to order, you can always make a special request. Want a Longjolly in Granadillo but you want to enhance the sting? We can reduce the thickness. Want a Mason in Cherry but want it thuddier? We can add some thickness to beef it up and deepen the impact. We are also happy to make recommendations based on the sensations you crave. Matching you to your perfect spanking paddle is our passion!
The Janka Hardness Scale
The Janka hardness scale is a tool used in the wood industry to measure the resistance of a sample of wood to denting and wear. Named after its inventor, Gabriel Janka, the test measures the force required to embed a 0.444 inch steel ball into wood to half its diameter.
The results of this test are expressed in pounds-force (lbf). Higher numbers on the scale indicate harder, denser wood species, while lower numbers indicate softer, less dense ones.
It's important to note that the Janka hardness scale only provides a general guideline. Actual hardness can vary based on several factors, including the cut of the wood and its moisture content.
Here at LRS Toys, we aim to provide our spanking paddles in a range of woods in order to offer you a variety of sensation profiles. See the Choosing Your Wood dropdown menu on our product listings to learn more about what you can expect from the woods we offer for each paddle.
Well-Known Woods & Their Average Janka Rating
Pine - 300-500
Butternut - 490
Poplar - 540
Limba - 670
Mahogany - 900 - ALERT
Raintree - 900
Cherry - 950
Tropical Walnut - 960 - ALERT
Walnut - 1010
Teak - 1070
Ash - 1320
Oak - 1350
Tzalam - 1400
Maple - 1450
Birch - 1470
Canarywood - 1520
Padauk - 1710
Hickory - 1810
Zebrawood - 1830
Wenge - 1930
Leopardwood - 2150
Tigerwood - 2170
Caribbean Rosewood - 2400
Bubinga - 2410
Purpleheart - 2520
Granadillo - 2700
Bloodwood - 2900
Ebony - 3000+
Resource: https://www.wood-database.com
Appearance
Color
Wood color primarily depends on species of wood, but can also be determined by the amount of heartwood or sapwood in the lumber. Heartwood is the inner wood that is no longer living but has developed strength and usually a darker color. Sapwood is the newer, living wood that is often lighter in color. As sapwood becomes heartwood, gums and resins can become trapped in the wood's pores, adding flecks and lines of color. All of these variations contribute to the unique beauty of each board of wood.
Figure
Wood grain refers to the arrangement of a wood’s fibres resulting from the growth of a tree. When the tree is cut, these fibres reveal a visual pattern of relatively darker and lighter wood, commonly known as the grain or — more accurately — the ‘figure’. Wood grain also affects the texture of a piece of sawn timber.
All of our woods are hardwoods, which means they contain a special type of longitudinal cells called vessel cells. When cut, these cells reveal pores.
Hardwoods that have large pores are said to have an open grain, such as Oak and Ash. These woods grow faster in the spring and slower in the summer. This often results in more figuring, but the open grain can be felt. Open grain cannot be fully sanded away, which is why some woods will have light grooves despite the silky sanded surface that is a hallmark of all LRS paddles.
Other species of hardwoods have much smaller pores and are classified as closed grain or fine grain. This includes woods such as Maple and Cherry. Heavier woods, such as Granadillo and Bloodwood, have small pores and a high density, which can make paddles feel as heavy and smooth as polished marble in paddles made from these woods.
Some woods, such as Walnut and Mahogany, may have characteristics of both open and closed grain.
Resource: Duffield Timber
Chatoyancy
Chatoyancy in wood refers to the unique way light is reflected off the grain of the wood, giving it a shimmering, three-dimensional appearance. This effect is similar to the sheen seen in certain gemstones, which is why it's referred to as "chatoyant", a term derived from the French "chatoyer," meaning "to shine like a cat's eye." Flame Maple is one of our favorites for this light-catching effect.
It can also happen solely by chance and the work of Mother Nature - we often see a bit of chatoyancy in Cherry, Walnut, Birch, Mahogany, and Granadillo.
Caring for Your LRS Spanking Paddle
All of our spanking paddles are finished with a natural mineral oil and beeswax blend. This is a food and body safe way to protect the wood, enhance color and sheen, and add a silky soft finish. We never use stains, paints, dyes, or varnishes. We have found that such products, especially varnishes, change the sensation of the paddle for the worse. If you want your wood spanking paddle to truly feel like wood, always shop LRS!
To keep your spanking paddle in top condition, you can use a simple furniture wax or polish just as you would with a fine piece of furniture.
We are not affiliated with any brand. We use Walrus Cutting Board Oil, which is a blend of beeswax, mineral oil, coconut oil, and Vitamin E. Other brands we like include Howard Feed-N-Wax and George's Clubhouse Wax. These can be found at Amazon or your local lumber supply or hardware store.