I agree, though I've found that all ping pong paddles are NOT created the same. We used to have one that hurt something fierce (in a good way, of course) but it got misplaced on one of our out of town adventures. I've bought a couple since then, but none compare.
YOWZA!! That sounds horrid! (psst, but is there a little bit of pleasure once the initial pain goes away...you know, the after effects like an hour or so later?)Its a 3/4 inch pexpipe encased in leather about 1 meter long and hurts like a son of a bitch!
I forgot about the good old wooden spoon! Holy crap, I think that's harsher than the rod (and probably why I put it out of my mind. lol) I think the non-flexibility of it is what makes it so mean.