Never used the Werner Nantahala, but it looks more like a whitewater paddle. That's what the Nantahala River is famous for. I also don't care for the pronounced ridge.
I am a proponent of buying an appropriate paddle for the type of paddling you are doing, and then USING it. What the heck good is a "great" paddle if it's hanging on the wall or standing in the corner. By my definition, such a paddle is the opposite of great: It's useless. Waste of money useless.
So if the right paddle is wood, USE it. It's natural purpose of existence is to get dinged and scratched occasionally as it propels, just as the purpose of your car tires and shoe soles is to wear out as they propel. Fortunately, wood scratches and dings are easily repairable and can be made to look new.
For a general tripping-cruising-messing around shape that's fairly light and not too expensive, I would recommend two wood paddles: the Mitchell Seneca and the Sawyer Voyager. I believe they are both lighter and less expensive than the Nantahala. Both come standard (or can be made) with modified palm grips in 60" lengths. If you order direct from a paddle manufacturer, as I've almost always done, they will usually be willing to put any kind of grip you want on the shaft and make it any length.
60", BTW, is a long sucker paddle for seated or kneel flatwater cruising unless you are well over 6' tall. For whitewater, longer paddles are appropriate for reach, high and low braces.
Mitchells are near indestructible, more so than the Bending Branches and Foxworx paddles I have. I've had wooden Mitchell whitewater paddles for 30+ years, used in hard whitewater, and they still look just fine with some touch-up. I also have a 10 year old Sawyer paddle that still looks knew.
Good luck. Many of us end up with several paddles, some for legitimately different purposes, others as gear sluttish impulse buys.
I used to be faced with the three paddle temptation when tripping: one short bent for flatwater, one medium straight for flatwater, and one long and strong straight for whitewater. I have now reduced my entire arsenal to two paddles for all occasions, both carbon ZRE's: a 48.5" 10 oz. bent shaft and a 57" 13 oz. straight with the "whitewater blade". Both have the ZRE flex shaft for a more "wood-like" spring in the shaft. That's an expensive duo, but they do everything for me and are a joy to swing and carry.