Paddle Options

Solid or Laminated

Solid paddles are crafted from a single piece of lumber, typically a two-by-four (which in reality only measures 1-1/2" x 3-1/2") of appropriate length. Laminated paddles are crafted from multiple woods which are glued together to create the starting blank from which a paddle is carved. Lamination involves mixing different species and colors of woods to create unique paddle designs. The most common design are stripes. Lamination can involve gluing as few as two pieces of lumber together or as many as nine strips of wood -- more complex glue-ups can create very attractive patterns within the paddle.

Wood Choice

The lightest wooden Greenland paddles tend to be crafted from Western Red Cedar which is a fairly soft and easy-to-carve material. Besides its terrific color and aroma, paddles crafted using this wood tend to balance weight and strength for a fairly light and durable paddle.

The ancient Inuit of Greenland crafted their paddles from whatever wood was available to them. There were no lumber yards to hunt through in pursuit of the perfect piece of wood with the proper grain direction and weight. If they needed a paddle, they simply built a paddle from what they could find. Today, choice of lumber material is a matter of personal opinion, preference, and availability. For example, expected use, performance vs function, and cost are all important considerations.

• Western Red Cedar is light and strong but solid pieces of quality are harder to find - plus its cost has risen over the years

• Douglas Fir and Pine are heavier than Cedar but less expensive and easier to find - finding straight knot-free pieces can be a challenge

• Lamination mixes multiple pieces of woods which helps to overcome difficulty of finding quality 2" x 4" solid lumber. Lamination also balances strength, weight, and style by incorporating stronger harder woods with softer woods, often of varying colors.

Finishes

My full-size Greenland and Norsaq Rolling paddles are finished with 100% Pure Tung Oil. Tung Oil creates a warm natural finish and touch - it also offers excellent water protection. My application process is as follows:

1. Sand the paddle using increasingly finer grits

2. Thoroughly wet it down with water to raise the grain

3. After it dries, I sand it with even finer grits to knock off the raised grain

4. Several more sanding sessions create a very smooth surface

5. Apply 100% Pure Tung Oil with a foam brush

6. Let it soak in for 20-30 minutes

7. Wipe off the excess and let it dry

8. Repeat steps 5, 6, and 7 multiple times

9. Let the paddle cure for 1-2 weeks before use

For Decorative Wall Paddles that will be put on display and not used in a kayak, I offer multiple choices of finishes. Since these paddles will not be exposed to water and "hand feel" is not a priority, protection is not as critical. Here are some of the choices:

• 100% Pure Tung Oil brings out the natural wood grain and color - I typically don't stain when using oil

• Stained with a satin polyurethane finish changes the color of the wood, shows the wood grain, and offers protection

• Unstained with a satin polyurethane finish displays the natural color and grain of the wood while offering protection

Expected Use

How will you be using your new paddle? Will it become your favorite kayak accessory that accompanies you on all your journeys? Will it become your new Greenland Roll buddy? A good performing paddle that will be used for long excursions may necessitate a lighter, fine-tuned paddle crafted from Western Red Cedar (or Carbon Fiber). On the other hand, if one is going to use their paddle in rough terrain or simply want a budget-friendly option to get from point A to point B, then perhaps a less expensive wood, like Douglas Fir or Pine might be an option for you. Though heavier than Cedar, these woods make great entry-level starter paddles if you're on the fence about investing in a high-priced Greenland paddle.