Craig Johnson
Lifetime member
Don’t look Benson.
Just finished a new paddle. One of the earliest paddles I carved (white cedar and just 1 lb.) that has served as my main everyday user, developed a crack in the handle after much heavy use. I wrapped it in leather and have continued to use it for the last couple of years. I decided I better have a replacement ready but a search through my white cedar stock didn’t provide a decent blank. Eventually I realized I had this beautiful piece of 80 year old quarter sawn spruce hanging on my garage wall.
I thought “ how any antique Old Town paddles do I really need hanging around as decorations.” I have some that are in better shape that I let others use if I don’t have enough of my own. Let’s face it they are a bit heavy and clunky with a handle about as big around as a baseball bat. Any way after removing anything that didn’t look like the paddle I wanted I was quite pleased and it came near to the same weight.
I am ready to try it out.
old one on left, new on right.
Just finished a new paddle. One of the earliest paddles I carved (white cedar and just 1 lb.) that has served as my main everyday user, developed a crack in the handle after much heavy use. I wrapped it in leather and have continued to use it for the last couple of years. I decided I better have a replacement ready but a search through my white cedar stock didn’t provide a decent blank. Eventually I realized I had this beautiful piece of 80 year old quarter sawn spruce hanging on my garage wall.
I thought “ how any antique Old Town paddles do I really need hanging around as decorations.” I have some that are in better shape that I let others use if I don’t have enough of my own. Let’s face it they are a bit heavy and clunky with a handle about as big around as a baseball bat. Any way after removing anything that didn’t look like the paddle I wanted I was quite pleased and it came near to the same weight.
I am ready to try it out.
old one on left, new on right.
