Never beat the old cane or strap, one of our teachers when I was at primary here in the Uk many moons ago had 3 canes and he called them Mr Extra Hard, Mr Hard and Mr Medium, all 3 different thicknesses, he would always ask which one did you want as a punishment on your hand?
Never fall for the trap and say Mr Medium, please, he would then give you 3 whacks with Mr Extra Hard, in Australia, it was the strap.