In the past I came across a play partner that specifically liked thuddy impact and after browsing around BDSM toy stores I noticed there weren't many thuddy toys in general. Frustrated with the main options just being simple club sticks that were usually not wide enough and large paddles that were too stingy, I came up with this rope-bat concept.
The starting rope idea came from the thuddy bottom fan herself as she showed me some thick braided rope slapper/floggers she made. These seemed to work well to get most the sting out, but then lacked the weight so they had to be used fairly hard to get the effect or intensity she was looking for. With these observations I then tried to combine the weight of wood with the texture and feel of rope. The weight is to help with the main force while the rope texture and flex creates a slight cushion effect minimizing stingy sensations.
To get the party started I went down to Dom (Home) Depot and started to look around for possible main handles. I forget what all I was considering, looking at garden tools and such, but ended up using a pick axe replacement handle. I like how the handles are elliptical being approx 1.5” x 1.125” as opposed to just circles. They come with big plastic insert wedges on the end which aren't good for much else so was able to make my peace needing to saw that area off. For the rope I then just looked for the bulkiest they had laying around which ended up as 5/8" Black Solid-Braid Poly Rope. Although usually more of a hemp guy when it comes to rope, I thought the poly would be easier to clean when it comes to toy use.
After rounding out the edges on the handle, I added some cord holes to give some places to lash the rope to the handle with using 550 cord. Knowing I wasn't going to be happy with the bright look of the handle I went ahead and stained it a dark brown. Not being a cord or knot master it took me a few times of winging it to lash the rope on in a manner I found tolerable. The starting end is easy where one can wrap the rope over it, but then tucking and securing the lower end tight was tricky for me and I wish I could make a nicer 550 wrap. To add some extra grip without messing with the width much I used a strip of gripper material to wrap around the main handle zone.
The end result size is approx 24” x 2.375”, the rope zone being about 13.5” long and grip zone about 9.25". It probably looks a bit long offhand and this is due to wanting a good rope zone to be able to hit both butt cheeks and a enough room on the handle to use it comfortably 2 handed. She liked to play hard so it was certainly better to go too much than not enough. Clocking in at around 1 pounds 10 oz it has a good amount of heft yet is still possible to use one handed. For more weight I considered drilling out the core of an end and adding lead shot, but I didn't have access to the right tools and may end up overkill in weight anyway.
Although not shown, I also experimented with making a neoprene cover sleeve to soften out any sting even further. The shape needed a little work, but I was happy the idea seemed to work and the sleeve stayed on during use. Overall I am pleased with how the rope bat turned out, yet would certainly like to see a knot pro take a go at it to clean things up and make it more of a final product. Amusingly as a side use, Kate likes it a lot as a general muscle massage device as well.