Paddle making for $$??

Norm Hein

Norm Hein

Canoe Codger
My plan is to "retire" to my shop in a couple of years. I figure I will build and or repair a couple of canoes a year and do some other projects for a bit of extra cash. Paddles keep coming to mind. They are not to involved, you don't have to invest a lot of money in materials and they would be enjoyable to make. So the question is: can any money be made making and selling paddles? I personally enjoy the traditional solid wood paddle but it looks like most of the wood paddles on the market are laminated. Does one seem to sell better than the other?
I have made and sold furniture on the side for over 30 years so I understand it not a big money maker but it has supported my hobbies over the years and that's what I hope to do with more canoe/outdoors related items. Any input would be most appreciated.
Norm
 
If your plan is to make paddles that people will use with canoes then it will probably be difficult to make much money. Paddles that get hung on the wall as art might be more profitable. However, these will need to be have interesting designs: laminated, painted, incised, carved, or burned on them to be distinguished from ordinary paddles. See http://www.wcha.org/forums/index.php?threads/8420/ and http://www.wcha.org/forums/index.php?threads/social-media-images.15877/#post-81410 for some examples. I am looking for a nice Penobscot, Maliseet, or Passamaquoddy style one. Good luck,

Benson
 
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I've been thinking a lot about this too. The problem (as I see it) is that if you want to compete with and expensive maker like Shaw & Tenny you'll need to mechanize the process a fair amount. Like incorporating CNC routers big dip tanks, massive drum sander, etc..

All this for a client base of DIY folks that take pleasure/pride in making their own stuff. I think the key to this would be to diversify into a hot paddling segment of non-DIY folks. That would be the SUP and possibly kayak, rafters, and even kevlar canoe folks.

The other approach would be what Benson suggests and become an artisan. Building such a reputation would be the key.
 
Benson, Monki,
Good information. I really like the one man operation, low production, high quality products. I am fortunate to know some sporting goods stores owners and Canoe/kayak rental/sales businesses that would be glad to display my wares. Diversity is going to be key I agree. Diversity in product and users.
 
These guys are making a go of it. The video gives you a good idea of what's involved in their operation. They are going after a hipster outdoorsman type client. Which is a thing that WCHA might start looking at? I really don't know if there is a there, there. But it's an interesting burgeoning market.
 
Hard to compete with big makers like Sawyer or Grey Owl. I think you need to add something no one else has like solid birds eye maple, trad paint, oil finish, Voyageur designs, etc. Then people will pay a premium. A friend of mine used to give me glued up paddle blanks made with mahogany, walnut and white ash and ponderosa pine.
 
A friend of mine bought a Sanborn a year ago. On her first trip out with it, varnish started peeling on the blade. On her way home, she stopped at the store, they called Sanborn (on a Sunday, yet), who said to give her a new one. They stand behind their product, which is important in any commercial enterprise, but even more so in a niche market lke the one they're in. Obviously they're a good outfit.
 
Norm;
I have carved about 100. My first paddle was carved from a 2x8 picked up at a construction site. I got into laminating; for strength, weight containment and contrast/decorative, then went back to more traditional solid wood. I have also experimented with a variety of end/tip protective treatments (fibreglass sheath, transverse spline, epoxy).

It's a "labour of love". I call it, "supporting my habit".

Many are gifts. Sales tend to be charitable (eg. WCHA Assembly auction, YMCA) and
special interest/ceremonial; wedding and retirement presents, commemorative (events), etc.

Here in Ontario, the market is saturated with paddle-makers.
Several companies seem to have come and gone for a variety of reasons.
Turtle Paddleworks, WhiskeyJack Paddles, Holz Canoe Paddles,..
Ray Kettlewell retired and passed along the business to the younger generation;
Fishell (formerly Kettlewell) Paddles; https://www.fishellpaddles.com/

Larger commercial producers;
Grey Owl; https://greyowlpaddles.com/
Redtail Paddles; https://redtailpaddle.com/

Smaller, artisanal producers;
Badger Paddles have acquired a CNC duplicator, and use "eco-friendly" hempseed oil finish; https://badgerpaddles.com/

Adanac Paddles specializes in traditional greenland style paddles aka "skinny sticks" (as well as kayaks and harpoons!); http://www.adanacpaddles.com/

Some new entries are innovating new designs, materials, etc.;
XYZ produces handcrafted, modern laminated designs;
http://www.xycompany.ca/products.html

Brian Cook (Cook Craft), resurrected a long forgotten canoe building shop, and also carves rough textured coloured paddles from oak (!); http://cookcraft.ca/paddles/

Roger Foster (Carlisle Canoe Company) runs a viable business (25 yrs+) offering canoe building and paddle carving workshops; https://carlislecanoe.ca/courses-seminars/

If you are not already familiar with Murat Vardar's paddle-making oddysey, check out the photos here; https://www.pinterest.ca/muratv/traditional-canoe-paddles/

And his blog, "Paddlemaking (and other canoe stuff)" here; http://paddlemaking.blogspot.com/

Murat has done a lot of research into historical paddle designs and decoration.
He used to have a "rolling" photo archive of his paddles, but I am not sure how to view that.

Some artists specialize in decorating paddles;
Dot Bonnenfant, Heritage Paddle Designs; http://heritagepaddles.com/
Jo Mann Artist - Custom Paddles; http://www.jo-mann.com/custom-paddles.html

Also, for a selection of photos of "modern" wooden paddles, check out , for example, Pinterest; https://www.pinterest.com/pin/539587599078293972/
or Flickr; (search"paddle")
 
Rob,
Wow! Thanks for all the information. I'll have to do some studying. My goal is about the same as you mentioned, it's mostly to support my habit and stay connected to the craft and the canoeing/outdoor world.
 
Merwin Haight said:
Norm how is the paddle business going?
Click to expand...
Well Merwin thanks for asking , I haven’t retired yet so time to get into it much hasn’t been available. They company I’m working with is l down sizing so I’ll probably be leaving by the end of the year.
I have made a handful of paddles and really enjoy it so it will be something I make more of. My outlook on retirement has changed somewhat. I’m not going to concentrate on making money as much as I will be making what I want to make. If it sells great if it doesn’t no problem it’s something I can use or give as a gift. I’ve also been trying my hand at making long bows and duck calls. Both are a lot of fun to make.
 
Dave Wermuth said:
Longbows? right up my alley. Using them, and breaking them. Never successfully built one.
Click to expand...
I blew up my first attempt. This is my second one. It’s a pretty good shooter. 66” hickory 38# @ 28” draw
IMG_1173.jpeg
 
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