Slippery slope

[pklonowski]

Looks like a pretty good way to do it! Nice to have a jointer that wide... I'm jealous!

 

[wanderlustjake]

Craig,

Thanks for taking the time to document your process. Looks like a good way to go. Envious of the joiner too! BTW, congratulations on making Murat's Blog.

 

[Denis M. Kallery]

Pictures of the process would be much appreciated by everyone --I think
Denis

 

[Easternrivers]

So OK, here is a link to some photos of my paddle making process. Please remember I am just a beginner at paddle making.I know there are many right ways to do anything. I am just showing you mine because some seemed interested.
Craig
http://www.flickr.com/photos/71113210@N08/sets/72157628208640781/

Just click on the first photo to read the descriptions. they don't seem to be included if you click on slideshow. I am not sure though because I just set this up.

When you see the process it looks so simple!
I have not made many paddles as I thought it to be alot of hand work and labour intensive.
Now I gotta go to the shop this winter!
I now have the tools as you show to make this a far easier job...
Thank You Again!
Wendell

 

[Denis M. Kallery]

Craig,
Thank-you! Makes it much clearer.
Denis

 

[Craig Johnson]

finished paddle

I finished the paddle I was making to demonstrate the process and added some photos here. http://www.flickr.com/photos/71113210@N08/sets/

 

[pklonowski]

Excellent! Your workbench looks like mine when I'm working on paddles... planes, spokeshaves, scrapers, & shavings are scattered everywhere. Looks like a nice piece of work!

 

[Kathryn Klos]

Your paddle is my favorite style-- beautifully done!

 

[Craig Johnson]

new paddle done

So if you have been following this thread you might be interested in this. I finished the poplar paddle I was making in the photos I used to demonstrate my method. If you saw my first paddles you can see I like to just let the beautiful wood grain be emphasized along with a pleasing form. Poplar isn't as nice as the other woods but it is nice to paint so I thought I would give that a try. I had been cruising Murat's blog for inspiration, not that I am in any way trying for historical correctness, but I came upon this and I think you can see why it fit.
http://paddlemaking.blogspot.com/2009/12/canoe-museum-paddle-replicas.html
I also used the copper tip I had made and I did decide to shave down the tip of the paddle so that it fit flush with the rest of the blade all the way around. Quite a bit of extra effort but worth it on my own paddle. Then I smeared it with epoxy and jammed it on, hoping the epoxy would fill any voids between wood and copper so the copper wouldn't deform from use. I polished and lacquered the tip, painted the blade and handle with leftover epifanes from my 39 Kennebec restoration, and oiled the grips. Here is a link to more photos.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/71113210@N08/sets/
Thanks.
Craig

 

[Murat V]

Great job, Craig. The whole combination of painting with the shiny copper tip makes the paddle a sweet looking match for your maple leaf Kennebec. Your paddle actually reminded me of a company here in Toronto selling painted paddles based on the Semaphore naval flag system.

http://www.contactvoyagingco.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=102

If you plan on doing any more painting, then maybe some of the patterns might interest you.

 

[Craig Johnson]

Thanks Murat,
Yes I had already seen those on your site and they influenced my decision. Probably going back to natural finished hardwood, maybe some carving.

 

[ozarkpaddler]

Wow, beautiful paddles, especially the walnut. I have a Langford walnut beavertail. A bit heavy, but feels good in the hands.