Jeff Horton
Member
- Messages
- 4,272
- Location
- The Heart of Dixie
Just finished up a new paddle and thought I would show it off.
Every couple of weeks when I go to the lumber yard I go down to the basement and look through the western red cedar bin where they keep the 2x lumber. Mostly just junky, knot ridden boards. But the other day I could hardly believe my eyes. Obviously a lumber grader let this one slip through. A beautifully straight grained piece with hardly a knot in it. I have never seen a nicer board around here. Needless to say I grabbed it quickly. I found one other decent one and got it too. It's a simple case of I take what ever I find that is usable even if I don't need it. I will latter on.
I took a break from the TV console and built me a new paddle last Saturday. I took some photo for the web site today.
This is all my good ones. I have a couple of experiments and works in progress in the Lab. And yes those skinny sticks do work just fine. Much easier on the shoulders and you are less tired at the end of the day too. They surprise everyone that tries them. Most don't want to give them back after paddling with one.
Fist one is the one I just built. Beautiful piece or WRC with Cherry tips.Next is the first GP I built. It's ugly and of the four sides of the blade each one is different. I learned a lot making that paddle and it is still my favorite for some reason. Just feels right.
The last one was an experimental thing. Works well and has a hollow shaft. So it is an amazingly light weight paddle.
Here are closeups of my latest two. The darker one with the stripe has a pretty irregular grain and makes a beautiful paddle but straight grain is much preferred but the strip down the middle gives is better strength I think.
The light colored one is the new one. I tried it today an I like it! I am going to offer that one for sale though. I have a piece of wood I am saving to make me that 'perfect paddle' out of. Just haven't settled on exactly I want. But this one is close! I made is little longer and really like it. I will paddle with it till it sells and then improve the next one.
Every couple of weeks when I go to the lumber yard I go down to the basement and look through the western red cedar bin where they keep the 2x lumber. Mostly just junky, knot ridden boards. But the other day I could hardly believe my eyes. Obviously a lumber grader let this one slip through. A beautifully straight grained piece with hardly a knot in it. I have never seen a nicer board around here. Needless to say I grabbed it quickly. I found one other decent one and got it too. It's a simple case of I take what ever I find that is usable even if I don't need it. I will latter on.
I took a break from the TV console and built me a new paddle last Saturday. I took some photo for the web site today.
This is all my good ones. I have a couple of experiments and works in progress in the Lab. And yes those skinny sticks do work just fine. Much easier on the shoulders and you are less tired at the end of the day too. They surprise everyone that tries them. Most don't want to give them back after paddling with one.
Fist one is the one I just built. Beautiful piece or WRC with Cherry tips.Next is the first GP I built. It's ugly and of the four sides of the blade each one is different. I learned a lot making that paddle and it is still my favorite for some reason. Just feels right.
The last one was an experimental thing. Works well and has a hollow shaft. So it is an amazingly light weight paddle.
Here are closeups of my latest two. The darker one with the stripe has a pretty irregular grain and makes a beautiful paddle but straight grain is much preferred but the strip down the middle gives is better strength I think.
The light colored one is the new one. I tried it today an I like it! I am going to offer that one for sale though. I have a piece of wood I am saving to make me that 'perfect paddle' out of. Just haven't settled on exactly I want. But this one is close! I made is little longer and really like it. I will paddle with it till it sells and then improve the next one.