Marc Ornstein's latest activity

Several have messaged me, from this and other forums, about better photos of the freestyle blade that was show in the group of four...

Below are some photos of the completed paddle that y'all have been following the build of. Tomorrow it will get crated and shipped.

I designed it, for conditions, such as you encounter. The idea came about during a Pine Barrens (NJ) trip, some years ago. Several folks...

Glen, These are four paddles that are in various stages of completion. From left to right is a Freestyle Blade which is complete and...

In response to several questions about the edging around my river and shallow water special blades, it is Dynel cord, saturated with...

Not a derail, at all. In fact, I anticipated this discussion and thought about initiating it my self. My personal take, after having...

Filling the weave is largely for aesthetic reasons although in theory, the slicker surface should slice more cleanly during in-water...

Mostly, UV protection. Some epoxies are more UV resistant than others but all are susceptible to some degree. A good quality varnish...

The blade is laminated, largely of western red cedar. WRC is quite soft. The blade would have to be built much thicker/heavier to have...

Once the hand sanding is completed, the entire paddle, shaft, grip and blade are sealed with epoxy. A lot of the 1st coat is sucked up...

When paddling single stroke single side in my lighter canoes (22 pound PB Shadow, or 19 pound SR Blackwater), I notice during the...

I have two boats with asymmetrical rocker, a Northwind solo and a Northwind 17. Typically boats like this are meant to be paddled from...

Refining the shape of the grip is all hand/eye work. It's got to look right and feel right. This is mostly done with sandpaper wrapped...

For everyone's information: Under the current administration this site has NEVER had a "policy of open membership," NO registrant has...

I remove the milling marks from the blade, and do a final refinement of it's shape on an inflatable drum sander. Varying the pressure in...