He was bound to look tipsy in the round bottomed canoe, but I wonder how it would've handled had he thought of carving it with some rocker? Rather poetic had it handled like a leaf.
It was no mean feat doing all that with hand tools. I was totally faked out by the initial extreme tumblehome before he steam bent the sides over that fire.
I remember the smell and enjoyment of the pine tar and torch treatment of wooden Nordic skis once upon a time.
I loved the looks of that fluted blade he carved. I doubt he was worried about any efficiencies or performance in paddle or canoe, just a celebration of skills and wood. What is it about watching and listening to a sharp blade in steady hands carve out clean shavings from a block of wood? He really is an artisan sculptor. I enjoyed that, thanks Red.