A little effort goes a long way with this paddle. Because of the thickness and weight, there's some nice thud to it, and the harder the strikes, the more intense the sting this paddle produces. But it doesn't take much strength or a heavy hand to produce a hearty sting, due to the nature of the material. That's where this paddle shines, in its ability to produce delightfully intense sensations with low effort. And with more effort, it stings a LOT. It can also be used lightly for less intense sensation, of course.
Bonus usage - using the side edge of the paddle creates an interesting alternative sensation, adding thud and cutting down on sting.
It's an added bonus for me (and may be essential to others) that this paddle can be easily cleaned, and even sanitized.
I find the handle comfortable, but people who want a more ergonomic handle without edges will likely prefer the rounded handle of the Plunge (which doubles as a dildo). The striking end of that paddle seems to be identical to that of the Thwack.
Overall, this is my favorite paddle, over wooden and leather ones, due to the ability for it to create high intensity for low effort.