A:
First of all, let me say that in the BDSM toys world, more expensive does not always equal better. Quite often the most pricy stuff is made to look beautiful and may even be branded in some way to make you feel like you are getting something extra special but when it come to using it, well, that is often where its flaws come to light.
There are lots of excellent independent craftsmen and women making beautiful impact toys but you will rarely find their work in your local sex shop. Instead, try searching for your local fetish fair. If you have one it will likely be full of small independents traders making all sorts of interesting and different impact toys from a huge variety of materials. The prices will vary but you can find something for every budget. If you don't have such a fair near you then the Internet does. Yes, you will have to do a lot more searching but it is worth it to find those small niche retailers.
You can also find plenty of impact toys in your local hardware and cookware shops or thrift shop/market for a fraction of the price. In fact I suspect you even have some of them in your kitchen right now. Wooden spoons, rolling pins, fly swatters, rolls of cling wrap and hairbrushes all make for fabulous impact toys, as do bamboo canes (from your local garden centre), which come in all lengths and widths. We have a narrow bread board (the type you cut French bread on) that we bought at flea market. We have never used it as a bread board, only a paddle for my behind! Don't forget leather belts, which are useful for more than just holding your trousers up as well as slippers and flip flops, which double as perfect paddles. Just be sure to check anything you use for sharp buckles or anything that could cause undue harm. Use your imagination and you will find that the world is surprisingly full of potential BDSM toys. (Learn more about paddles in What's the difference between a wood, leather or silicone spanking paddle?)
