The British Navy used flogging as a punishment. It all depends on the materials and even when using softer leathers, there is much to be said about the application of power.

I have several, one is bullhide, braided, with flat ends coming to pointed tips (all leather) and if I'm not careful, it leave extreme, bruising welts. If I needed to punish my girl and deemed a flogging appropriate, that is the tool I would use...

Almost all of the tools at our disposal that we use for sensual play originate as tools of torture, interrogation, or punishment.