I need to buy a paddle on the interweb

[memaquay]

I was in Thunder Bay on Monday, and went to the only place that sells good paddles. I wasn't looking to spend a lot of dough, somewhere around 150 bucks. They had some bending branches espresso st's for $125.00. I had a close look at them and was completely unimpressed. Heavy and lots of basic woodworking mistakes. Un-even shoulders, and just a clunky feeling in my hand. In the same sorta price range, I've used the Grey Owl Sugar Island, but snapped the shaft after about one season of use.

I used to make all my own paddles, but I'm finding that I can't get the weight down to that of a well made commercial paddle. So I'm looking for suggestions that I can buy on the interweb.

I'm looking for a 54 to 56 inch straight shaft, sugar island type blade, and all wood construction. It's gotta be durable, I do a lot of prying and stuff.

With the exception of the Grey Owl bent shaft I bought last year, all my paddle buying efforts have been a disappointment, which is probably why I was happy with my own clunkers for so long.

 

[madmike]

http://www.foxworxpaddle.com/straight_shaft_canoe_paddles.html

 

[red langford]

I have two cherry Grey Owl paddles that are 10 years old and have not broken them yet despite all my best efforts. Surprised to hear of your experience. Try something in titanium.

 

[Canotrouge]

Hey Mem, what wood were you using in the paddle you use to make?? Cause that is one good place to shave weight!!

 

[Philtrum]

I'm surprised to hear the EspressoST was heavy and poorly made. I've found Bending Branches' quality to be pretty consistently good. I have a 52" EspressoST that weighs about 19 oz - fairly light.
Sawyer makes some very nice paddles. The only problem is that the indexing on almost every Sawyer paddle I've held has been wrong, such that holding the paddle with the lower hand formed naturally around the shaft leaves the blade at an odd angle.
You can't go wrong with Grey Owl.
The FoxWorx paddles I've seen at Canoecopia looked a little bulky and obviously handmade (inconsistent grip contours).
Do not get a Sanborn paddle unless you want to do some serious rework.
Good luck.

 

[Glenn MacGrady]

I've had Mitchell whitewater paddles for 35 years that still look new when touched up. The Seneca is the mid-price point of the touring paddle line.

http://www.shopcanoeing.com/collections/mitchell-paddles-store/products/mitchell-seneca-canoe-paddle

This is good deal on a very light Mitchell, which was branded for Bell. It appears to have urethane protection on the edges as well as the tip. It is called a whitewater paddle only because it has a t-grip. T-grip paddles can be easily shortened by removing the grip.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/WhiteWater-...132?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cef30fdfc

 

[memaquay]

That Mitchell looks interesting. Has anyone had experience with the Grey Owl Fleetwood? 54" comes in around 16 ounces. Can't find a place that sells it though.

 

[Jim Dodd]

I purchased several Mudbrook paddles on ebay several years ago. They are great.

But the best paddle I ever laided my hands on is a Peter Puddicombe, Wildwood paddle !!
Right now one is in my lap. To me it's like wrapping your hands around Marilyn Monroe ! Sorry ladies for what sounds like a Sexish remark, It's not meant to be !

I rarely use this paddle, but it is heaven in my hands !

Jim

 

[Mihun09]

Right now one is in my lap. To me it's like wrapping your hands around Marilyn Monroe ! Sorry ladies for what sounds like a Sexish remark, It's not meant to be !
I rarely use this paddle, but it is heaven in my hands !

Jim

Oh, what the mind conjures in responce to this, however, I do wish to not be kicked off this site.

Karin

 

[Guest]

The Fleetwood looks nice but I'll bet not durable enough for the OP's purposes: http://www.boundarywaterscatalog.com...t-paddle-58678

Not as sturdy as the Whitewater Glen mentioned, I am sure, but I bought one of these a few weeks ago and I am impressed. Well made, well done, robust but not too heavy, and I like the hot dog t grip. Perfect for touring, which is probably why they call it the touring special: http://www.ebay.com/itm/261710987461...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

[memaquay]

I just looked up the Mitchel on ebay.ca, the Canadian equivalent. By the time I pay the exchange rate, shipping and import fees, it comes to about 230 bucks. If it didn't have that T grip, I might have went for it, but I'm not a t grip fan. The other Mitchell that Glenn listed comes in around 24 ounces, I may as well just buy a Grey Owl Sugar Island for half the price, same weight. One of the big problems of living in the boonies is that most shopping has to be done on-line. Thunder Bay, the only city close by (3 hour drive) has quite a pathetic line up of outdoors stores, considering we live in the middle of prime canoe country. Anyway, I'm grateful for the suggestions and open to more, keep them coming!

 

[yellowcanoe]

I know what I am bringing to Geraldton next trip. Got two extra 52 inch Grey Owl FreeStyle paddles that I got for $70 each.. The old wooden ones. I never bought a Peter Puddicombe paddle. We were at the Quetico entrance on Cache Bay in 1989 and his paddles were for sale there for $53 each. I said we didnt need another paddle ( we were going in) and passed on the purchase..

Dumb moment..for sure.

I am surprised at the Espresso lack of quality control. I rather like mine but I have had it three or four years.

 

[Mihun09]

Douglas Ingram out here in Manitoba makes paddles, perhaps a custom made one is just right for you. May be out of your price range though, but you would get what you with the craftsmanship you are seeking.

 

[Guest]

They had some bending branches espresso st's for $125.00. I had a close look at them and was completely unimpressed. Heavy and lots of basic woodworking mistakes. Un-even shoulders, and just a clunky feeling in my hand. In the same sorta price range, I've used the Grey Owl Sugar Island, but snapped the shaft after about one season of use.

That was enough to make me go have a look at our BB Espresso. Actually an Espresso Plus. The shoulders are even, the grain is straight and true and the paddle feel nicely balanced in hand. We also have an Expedition Plus that is likewise well crafted, symmetrical and pleasant, if a bit heavy.

Perhaps BB’s quality was slipped, or maybe the retailer somehow got a bad lot.

About snapping paddles, prying and stuff, I’m guessing that a paddle with a laminated shaft would hold up better (feel free to disabuse me of that notion if untrue). Is there an inherent strength/durability difference between round and oval shafts?

I will second MadMike on Foxworks (nee Camp). They have a reputation for good craftsmanship and folks who have them all seem pleased.

We have one ancient Camp bent shaft and its one of my favorites. Not something you would want to pry with, the shaft is oval and tapers to a toothpicky 9/16 inch below the grip.

 

[Glenn MacGrady]

Not as sturdy as the Whitewater Glen mentioned, I am sure, but I bought one of these a few weeks ago and I am impressed. Well made, well done, robust but not too heavy, and I like the hot dog t grip. Perfect for touring, which is probably why they call it the touring special: http://www.ebay.com/itm/261710987461...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Interesting that that seller has two Bell branded Mitchells, both supposedly 20 oz., at such different prices. In fact, that seller is ORC Industries, the owner of the defunct Bell Canoe Works. This must be them selling off their remaining canoe accessories.

I once looked through a stack of Expresso paddles at a canoe shop in the Adirondacks. The differences in shaft flexibility were wildly inconsistent. Some seemed as floppy as a noodle (which was a fine German word until replaced by trendy "pasta".)

Marilyn Monroe may look good on the wall and feel good in your hands, but my paddles are meant to be used on a daily basis in the waters I paddle. But, hey, if you have the bucks just to collect paddles, that can be a good hobby too.

Mem, are you saying you are limited to online purchases from Canadian sources only because the shipping and socialistic taxes make foreign products too expensive? If so, it's no use recommending U.S. paddles at all.

 

[Alan Gage]

I say buy a light carbon bent shaft and carry your straight bruiser as a spare for moving water. Or maybe a wood shaft with carbon blade would give the needed shaft strength for pries but eliminate a lot of the weight, especially in the blade which seems to make the biggest difference.

I've got an old Black Bart I'd sell you cheap. I got it used with an old C1 racing canoe and it's too long and heavy for me. Looks to be pretty heavy duty and in good shape. 53" I believe. Probably 12oz. I think they're something like a 14* bend rather than the more standard 12*

Alan

 

[memaquay]

Ha ha, Glenn, recommendations are never in vain, and the mitchell is still on the list. I'm just wondering if it's worth the 230 bucks I would have to spend to get it. I'm stingy right now because I'm still waiting to pay for my winter tent. The pace in Thunder Bay had some espresso's earlier in the year that were quite nice. I should have bought one then. I believe they were made out of willow. They had a reddish brown colour, were quite light and very easy on the eyes. The ones I looked at on Monday, although still called an espresso were a different bird altogether. Looked like a basswood shaft and a lighter coloured blade. Felt heavier than the willow ones, and like I said, workmanship was inferior.

I emailed Grey Owl asking them what Canadian retailer carried the Fleetwood. They got back to me within 20 minutes, which I thought was awesome, telling me that since there was no retailer in the area, I could order directly from the factory. 135 bucks plus 20 shipping plus about another 20 in taxes. I am a wee bit worried about it's durability. Holmes did a good review of it here. http://www.canoetripping.net/forums/forum/gear/reviews/18882-grey-owl-fleetwood-first-impressions

Then I saw this Mitchell on ebay.
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Northwind-St...837?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a9e6a6c4d

Liked the looks and the price, but description says it has a spruce shaft, and with the exception of my Clements, I have broken every spruce shaft I have ever had. Anyone have experience with this paddle?

 

[memaquay]

Alan, I just saw your post, thanks muchly, sounds very interesting, but looking for a straight right now.

 

[Canotrouge]

Look up Echo paddle made here in Canada. Andy makes a good paddle for a decent price.

 

[Canotrouge]

Ho and well made with good wood space shaft will last you a life time, but not many big company care enough to select good wood and to orient it the right way to make a good paddle shaft! So I would leave the "commercial" paddle alone, and go to a small maker like Echo, Douglas Ingram, I'm sure there is other right here in canada, but I can't think of them.....