I finally invested in a ping pong paddle yesterday, and christened it Mjöllnir as per Jason’s suggestion. It’s a Harvard Tournament Series 50, which only set me back about $14. It’s proving a worthwhile investment already, as my control is much improved, and I can get about 70% more spin with it than with the cheap plywood pips-out house paddles I’ve been using up to now. Beware the mighty hammer of Thor!