Tawse

Modern day tawse laying on cushion.

Wikimedia (CC0)

The tawse (sometimes taws, in Scots) is an implement used for corporal punishment which is made up of a strip of leather, that is cut at one end to split it into a number of tails. A tawse can be made up of any number of tails, and any thickness of leather.

Use in BDSM

In BDSM, the tawse is used as an implement during impact play, and is generally used in a similar way to how it was used historically - It may be used as an alternative to the hand when admistering a punishment where a more severe affect is needed, or because the person receiving impacts prefers or needs the type of sensation provided to reach the headspace they wish to be in.

Historical Uses

Schools

Scottish schools used the tawse to punish pupils of either sex on the palm of the outstretched hand. Pupils were usually instructed to hold out one hand with their palm up, and supported by the other hand below. This position ensured that the full force of each stroke was taken by the hand being strapped and meant that it was difficult to move the hand away when being hit.

Punishment with a tawse was usually inflicted by the class teacher in front of the entire class, to act as a deterrent to others - Although it was sometimes done by a designated teacher, such as the Deputy Headmaster, to whom the pupil was sent.

This was wielded in primary as well as secondary schools for both trivial and serious offences, and girls got this punishment as well as boys.

Judicial

The tawse was used for judicial corporal punishment in Scotland as an alternative to the more usual birch. Courts could sentence boys of over 14 but under 16 to up to 36 strokes on the bare buttocks with an extra-heavy tawse for any offence. This practice was abolished in 1948.