Gripz Paddle

Vendor: Ballistic Metal

The Ballistic Gripz Paddle

Construction

The Gripz Paddle is made out of 6mm thick brushed aluminum. The edges are well rounded so there are no sharp ridges. It comes in two sizes with the smaller one being about 300mm long and the larger one 450mm of which 160mm are for handle which tappers out of the body. It is covered in a vinyl sheath which you can either leave on the handle for a better grip or take it off to take advantage of the hole at the bottom for better storage or threading a leather loop through it. The paddle I have been sent for reviewing is kind of a hybrid version because it is a large one cut down to a two-patch version.

Detail of the Handle and the Vinyl Cover

The hitting surface is 87mm wide and depending on size 140mm resp. 290mm long. On both sides of the paddle’s head 66x66mm squares are milled and black rubber pads with a pyramid texture are glued into them. The small version has two patches, the larger three.

For a small fee Ballistic Metal offers personalization through engraving on all their aluminum toys. So you can add name your paddle like a sword or simply have your nickname added so you can identify your toys in a play party.

Detail of the Gripz Rubber Pads with a Pyramid Texture

Playing with the Gripz Paddle

Through the shape and size, the Gripz is a very traditional spanking paddle. The smaller one is perfect for targeting individual cheeks and still just nimble enough for bastinado while the larger one has the right size for hitting the entire ass, thighs or even belly spanking. Through the thickness the aluminum will not give in a bit so the entire kinetic energy of the impact is transformed into pain making the Gripz a stingy toy – like all aluminum paddles. But the rubber pads make it extra nasty. The rubber itself adds even more sting, taking away all of the little thud aluminum impact toys have due their weight. For extra meanness, shift the paddle a bit in the impact moment so it travels over the skin to add a burning abrasive sensation. Due to this the Gripz colors the sub more quickly than other aluminum paddles. Through the pyramids’ “spikey” imprint and abrasion the first color is a bright red which darkens quickly and eventually turns into bruises, depending on the impact force. The paddle is light enough not to pose a threat on well-padded body areas, but when hitting delicate areas like foot soles, caution is advisable in order not to break bones.

An E-Stim Lead attached to the Paddle

The small version is surprisingly well balanced. When I had the chance to try out the larger one from a friend it was like all aluminum paddles head heavy. But since this brute is not made for an hour-long scene, this does not really matter.

Beyond impact play, the rough texture of the pads make the Gripz a fun toys for sensation play. Let it lightly travel over the body for tickling and teasing the sub or rub it over forcefully for a burning sensation. This is especially agonizing at the nipples or the glans. For sensation play, I found the smaller version easier to use because it is more nimble.

Detail of a Custom Engravement

To add a sensation, you can take advantage of the material properties of aluminum. First, it easily takes on temperature. But since the rubber patches are glued to the aluminum, I would not recommend to put it into the freezer to cool it down or to heat the at all Gripz. For cooling down, use cooling pads for a gentle, controlled cooling and enjoy your sub squirming when cold aluminum hits the warm-spanked skin. Aluminum also conducts electricity so I tape a 4mm banana plug lead to the handle, attach the counter-electrode to the balls and choose a program with continuous output on the power box. For safety reasons, the counter electrodes and the impact area must be below the waist! Introducing the paddle to e-stim play is usually very surprising to the sub but since you have to deal with leads dangling between you, the sub and the power box, it is not for long, forceful scenes.