This paddle was one of the very first I made. I made it at a time when I was unsure if I would like canoeing as I hadn't done any for years and I was an inexperienced paddler.
When first making paddles it is recommended that the dimensions are kept a bit chunky until you have used the paddle and this is a good rule to follow as you can always remove timber easily at a later stage but it is more difficult to put it back on!
Having used it a few times and found it over heavy I had left it on my rack for quite some time so I decided it was time I shaved it down and made it lighter so I would feel more inclined to use it.
I began by planing down the shaft. This was originally quite a thick oval section. I decided to keep it oval but also taper it down towards the blade.
I also decided the blade itself was over thick for my needs. White water paddles tend to be quite heavily built to withstand the knocks and bashes they often get but as I don't often frequent these waters in my wooden canoe decided it could be thinned quite a bit.
I worked the blade on both sides with the spokeshave until it was how I wanted it and then continued with the shaft.
Finally both shaft and blade were given a good sanding and the whole was re-oiled.
I took it out for a test paddle a few days later and was very pleased with the result. The moral of the story is if you aren't happy with a paddle whether you made it yourself or bought it, it is easy to alter it to make it how you do want it to be but if your skills are not up to it....
and you have a paddle you would like me to adjust or repair for you please feel free to contact me for a quote.