Well, perhaps a decade ago I was paddled by my darling wife with a wooden paint stick, one purchased from Crimson Moon that was coated with shellac, presumably to make it sturdier.
Still, it broke after only about forty smarting smacks, so my investment definitely was not a wise one.
I remember that the 'spankus interruptus' occurred outside at night, with me standing up while leaning forward against the wall of a storage shed, with my pants and briefs at half-mast position.
There's a so-called "Strictly Lickin' Stick," similarly shaped but made of considerably denser wood, which is much more durable, and somewhat more hurtful too...

--C.K.