School me on carbon Fibre paddles

[memaquay]

So I used Alan Gage's old Black Bart paddle for two hours yesterday. I picked up my good old Grey Owl half way through the paddle and it felt like a war club. Couldn't believe the difference. So now I want a 54 inch Straight shaft carbon paddle. What is out there, I am completely a newb with cf paddles.

 

[Mason]

Wenonah (https://wenonah.com/Items.aspx?id=4), Werner (https://wernerpaddles.com/collection...aight-shaftand) Zaveral (https://www.zre.com/shop/paddles-c-22.htmlall) make CF straight shafts. I don't know if GRB Newman makes a straight shaft, but they seem more custom than others (https://www.grbnewmandesigns.com/pad...nd-accessories) . That's all I know.....

 

[yknpdlr]

I would definitely check with Gene or John Newman at GRB. I bet they would make exactly what you want. I have 7 of their carbon paddles, all bent shaft.

 

[Sdrew22]

Zre

 

[ShawnD]

I’m a convert too. Full day of paddling it’s makes a much bigger difference than I thought it would when I bought my first one.

I use a GRB 6 degree solo. Zre straight in the stern for more control and GRB 12 degree in the bow for more power.

 

[memaquay]

Looking at the GRB paddles, wondering if anyone has ever used the six degree?

 

[ShawnD]

Me ! Far left in my pic above. Got it at the beginning of last year. Was my solo single blade last year. I really like it. 10 oz or there abouts I think. GRBs are cheaper than ZRE but comparable quality IMO.

 

[Jim Dodd]

Funny, how those Black Paddles grab you ! Oldest Son, took his to College with him ! He didn't trust Dad to take care of it, like all his other possessions he left behind.
I take at least one on every BWCA trip. Helps this old guy keep up with the Pack !

 

[kona]

Are zre straight paddles also truly symmetrical?

I have used the all carbon Werner journey a lot in the last seven months. Mine is 53.75” end to end (bought as 54”) and weighs 13.3oz. It seems quite durable. Longer shaft and smaller blade area than many of my straight shafts. I’m a 95% kneeler, and I took it on a fall trip instead of a bent shaft.

I will soon probably buy the 6° GRB that has been so highly recommended by Gumpus and also here. I prefer the lower angled options of my many bent shaft paddles, as a kneeler.

I would really love to pay more than fair money for an appropriate length straight shaft Black Bart Troublemaker and/or a Moore cue. I have not seen either for sale in the five years that I’ve been watching. Anyone?

I still love wood paddles, especially the better balanced ones with big blades (tall order). I’d love to find a nice 56” grey owl freestyle, which would be a better length for me than the 58” one I have and love.

 

[Alan Gage]

You probably won't believe me but when you get a new carbon paddle that Black Bart will feel like a club.

All my carbons are ZRE, including a couple straights (54 and 56). The 54" has the asymmetrical palm grip and the 56" as the wooden T grip, which I like on a straight. Not plugging them over anyone else but it's all I have experience with.

I've really been amazed at how tough they are. Multiple times I've wedged the blade between rocks when power paddling up rapids and expected to pull back half a blade but never any damage.

What they seem most susceptible to is paddling in shallow water where you're constantly dragging the tip across an abrasive bottom (rock or gravel). I put a layer or two of dynel on the tips of my tripping paddles.

Alan

 

[memaquay]

Almost impossible to find anything in Canada right now, spent the afternoon trying. Sent a message to GRB, will see what they have to say, or if they will even ship to the armpit of the world.

 

[Paddlinhal]

I picked up a couple of ZREs when Millbrook Boats had a sale. I have to admit though, the discount evaporated when I picked them up at a brew pub half way between us. By coincidence I just read this morning an article by Cliff Jacobson in defense of the bent shaft for tripping. I have always babied them, used just for day trips and racing, but now it's got me thinking...

 

[Mason]

I have always babied them, used just for day trips and racing, but now it's got me thinking...

They're surprisingly sturdy. My Zav lasted over 20 years, and it was my main paddle for everything. I took it on a 45 day northern Canada trip with no qualms and no problems. BUT, I replaced it with a lighter paddle (same model, just 4 oz lighter (11 oz)), and I have another trip scheduled. I'm not sure.........

 

[gumpus]

I have a six degree degree GRB snd love it and I agree that the quality is equal to the more expensive ZRE's. I think the six degree angle is ideal for kneelers. I've also put a lot of miles on straight shaft ZRE's and although they are not fully symmetric they are great for cruising and they're tougher than you'd expect. I'd like to try one of the new Werners. You can order a Werner, ZRE or GRB on the long side with the handle unglued and trim the shaft with a hacksaw until it feels perfect (just tape the handle in place while you fine tune).

 

[goonstroke]

I picked up a couple of ZREs when Millbrook Boats had a sale. I have to admit though, the discount evaporated when I picked them up at a brew pub half way between us. By coincidence I just read this morning an article by Cliff Jacobson in defense of the bent shaft for tripping. I have always babied them, used just for day trips and racing, but now it's got me thinking...

Does anyone here do a pitch or j-stroke with a bent shaft in the stern when paddling tandem? I've heard Jacobson opine that it's the way to go, but it doesn't feel natural to me and I just use a straight if I'm not in a hurry and don't want to hut.

To echo others, I have a Zav (Z Medium) and a GRB and they're both great. The $200 GRB is an awesome deal for a performance bent from a helpful small shop.

With a bit of light epoxy work every few years these paddles can live forever. I do a lot of shallow summer upstream and I haven't been able to kill one.

 

[Turtle2]

I have a zre medium straight. the blade where it fastens to the shaft is not symmetrical. it's real lite but gives me blisters and doesn't feel great in the water and the underwater recovery is funky. rarely use it.

 

[scratchypants]

Does anyone here do a pitch or j-stroke with a bent shaft in the stern when paddling tandem?.

I'm curious too. Unless it goes without saying and I'm being simple, it would help to know what style of paddling one does if one is advocating for a certain type of paddle. If a J-stroke is used, the blade of a bent shaft paddle would be facing a direction that counters the intent of said stroke. So if I am paddling on the right, the canoe has tendency to veer left on the power stroke; as I complete the J, the blade is creating an arc that veers the canoe even further to the left.

 

[memaquay]

I use a j stroke with my bent shaft, works fine. Can't really tell the difference between a straight shaft and the bent. My main use for a straight shaft now is for river travel. Looks like I won't be experimenting soon with one, as everything is Canada is dried up, Covid has really bumped up the outdoor adventurers, apparently they all want high end stuff too.

 

[Iskweo]

Have you tried wilderness supply in wpg? They sell Raven paddles.

 

[Canotrouge]

Almost impossible to find anything in Canada right now, spent the afternoon trying. Sent a message to GRB, will see what they have to say, or if they will even ship to the armpit of the world.

Levass paddle in Quebec, are by far the best imo but the guy is a bit of a d¥%€... similar prices as ZRE!