With a new solo (Trillium), I'm realizing that it's time to try a lightweight, wood, straight shaft for my touring and fledgling freestyle paddle. Have been using a sweet old "Sea-1" from Curtis Canoes in the '80's; It's pretty light (guesstimating 21 oz?) , nicely contoured palm grip, with a 5 or 7 degree bend, 8 x 21 blade (a bit much blade). If it were a straight blade I wouldn't be looking for another.
I'm considering a Java ST Sawyer Voyager, or Grey Owl Fleetwood, primarily. The Sanborn Gillis or Gunflint look very sweet, but I'm rather impetuous and not sure I could deal with the wait time if I went for a Gillis. One thing in particular I can't determine from the websites is what the blades look like in profile; one thing I don't want is a blocky, squared edge, as I find pleasure with the smooth, quiet characteristics of a thinner edge, and all my choices seem to have a guard of some sort as an edge.
Your thoughts on any of this are much appreciated!
I'm considering a Java ST Sawyer Voyager, or Grey Owl Fleetwood, primarily. The Sanborn Gillis or Gunflint look very sweet, but I'm rather impetuous and not sure I could deal with the wait time if I went for a Gillis. One thing in particular I can't determine from the websites is what the blades look like in profile; one thing I don't want is a blocky, squared edge, as I find pleasure with the smooth, quiet characteristics of a thinner edge, and all my choices seem to have a guard of some sort as an edge.
Your thoughts on any of this are much appreciated!