First go at making a paddle

[JohnC]

I read on the SOTP website a tutorial on paddle making

http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/paddle_making.htm

and, needing a paddle for my youngest son and not wanting to spend any money, followed the instructions using and old plank/beam (probably pine)

Following RMs advice on making one in the wilderness (or at least the Trossachs) I wanted to use hand tools only: saw to shorten the plank, axe to shape roughly and knife to smooth, however I ended up using a draw knife to smooth and did use sandpaper at the end.

It took about 4-5 hours (in 30min to 1hr bits spread over a week) to make.

Finally it was finished at got some use this weekend...

Joe liked it, Jane preferred it to her paddle when in the shallower river.

Things I'd have done differently:
1. Wood, the pine was easy to shape, but the grain did catch a bit. If I get a bit of hardwood, I'd make the shaft thinner...
2. I'd like to have been more aggressive in removal of wood with the axe, as it was easy to do, but I was wary of removing too much, so it left me with a lot to take off with the draw knife/knife.
3. Sharpened the drawknife before I started

 

[Marts]

Nice one John. I think you're being a bit hard on yourself too - - Using a draw knife is hardly cheating. Same with sandpaper.

I reckon Ash would be a good wood to try for the next one.

 

[jojo]

I agree with Marts. Using a draw knife ain't cheatin'. It's a hand tool after all, not that easy to use and Native people used a one handed draw knife: the crooked knife
I like the paddle, it's got a nice shape. Ash is a very good wood for paddle, if a little heavy, but you can make it quite thin and flexible.

 

[JohnC]

Thanks for the wood advice, There's a hardwood supplier near here so I may check out their planks.

 

[sxmolloy]

Really nice, I like that a lot.