[Jay H]

As a sea kayaker, I'm thinking of making my own Greenland Paddle:



Being somewhat a beginner and still learning a roll, I found it way more easier to scull with one than a euro blade paddle, but more importantly, it's a lot cheaper to make one with the tools and skill than it would be to buy a commercially made paddle which can be anywhere from $150-$300 (and of course even more). Considering all you need at a minimum is a 2x4 of appropriate length ~80"ish of a good water resistant wood. Cedar is popular or specifically Western Red Cedar, mahogany, etc. etc. and a good quality.

That isn't too expensive, however, tools in woodworking would be something I would also need, and some of course, knowledge and skill in using them.


The below is a nice PDF file of making one:

http://www.qajaqusa.org/QK/makegreen2.pdf

Tools needed mentioned in the above:

hand saw
a knife
a drawknife (I have an idea what this is)
a plane (Sheesh, now I have to make a Cessna??? Just kidding! )
a spoke shave (no idea what this is)
Surform-type perforated metal tools (what?)
sandpaper (ooooh, I have some!)
0000 grade steel wool (can get some)

Now, how much are we talking about for me to get the above tools, namely, the specialty tools like the drawknife, plane, spoke shave, metal tools?

Would I have to go to a specialty woodworking store? Anybody know of a good one in northern NJ? I think I know of a lumbar place that has western red cedar but tools would be a new domain for me.

Jay

[Matt Stryker]

Going bargain basement, here are some prices I found:

Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices - $8.99 (spoke shave)
Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices - $26.48 (drawknife)
Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices - $14.99 (plane)
Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices - $5.99 (hand saw)

the surform is like a cheap plane, you should be able to get them at Home Depot for ~$15 - it basically looks like a cheese grater on the bottom. Surform is a Stanley tools trademark - here is a picture of one of them:

Stanley Hand Tools : 21-115 - 7-1/4" Surform® Shaver

Harbor freight tools should work OK for you, since you aren't going to start a paddle making business, just make a few paddles. Here are their locations in NJ - you can call ahead with the item numbers you want and ask if they have them in stock or if they'd have to order:

BRICK, NJ 2770 HOOPER AVE, STE 1 732-477-5300
EWING, NJ 1550 NORTH OLDEN AVE New Store!
SADDLE BROOK, NJ 441 MARKET ST 201-587-0700
VINELAND, NJ 20 WEST PARK AVE 856-691-4200
WOODBRIDGE, NJ 675 US HWY 1 SOUTH,STE 15 Opening Soon!

I'm a big fan of theirs especially for tools that you rarely use, since you don't pay a premium for ultra long durability for something you might only use 10 times or so. And a lot of their stuff actually comes with a lifetime guarantee. I would also maybe make 1-2 out of just normal SYP 2x4s and then once you get your technique down move on to the more expensive wood.

[Patrick_S]

If you looking at gaining the satisfaction and pride of making your own I would say go ahead and make the paddle. On the other hand if you are looking at this as a way to save money I would suggest that you purchase a paddle in the in the $150 dollar range and enjoy the kayaking.

[Jay H]

It's kind of both, I'm a DIY freak but I'm also a small person and building it myself I can customize the specs to my length, width, etc. So it's a mixture of both. Of course, in addition to the tools, I'll have to buy and apply epoxy for it, so that would add to the price, but I enjoy DIY projects, I learn a lot from it and it is fun.

Jay

[Patrick_S]

With that being the case I say go for it and have fun.

[Dennis Nicholls]

If you talked too much about making a paddle, would that be considered oar-atory?

Quote:

I think I know of a lumbar place

Is that like a chiropractor's office?

[Dave Hahn]

This looks like a fun project!

While drawing the layout lines on the wood blank looks straightforward, I always find this kind of thing challenging.

More importantly, shaping a piece of wood, by hand, is a true art form and has little to do with carpentry as we know it in the 21 century. This is the kind of thing that, say, a ship's carpenter of the 18th or 19th century, using a small number of hand tools could have accomplished in a few hours. The 21st century carpenter or cabinet-maker, with his plethora of power tools, is often stymied by a project like this.

I'd go about it like this: I'd make a test paddle on an inexpensive pine wood blank, the learning experience gained from this would greatly enhance the quality of the paddle made from the more expensive cedar.

[Henry Gale]

You can do this!
Grab a piece of willow about 200 cm long.
Remove everything that doesn't look like a kayak paddle.

[Patrick_S]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Hahn

This is the kind of thing that, say, a ship's carpenter of the 18th or 19th century, using a small number of hand tools could have accomplished in a few hours. The 21st century carpenter or cabinet-maker, with his plethora of power tools, is often stymied by a project like this.

Come on let's not go overboard here, any decent cabinet and or furniture maker could complete this project in a few hours. At least I know I could and I would just consider myself a novice.

I do agree that for the beginner they shouldl practice with the draw knife on some cheap wood in order to get a feel for the tool. The beginner often wants to take far too deep of a cut which leads to trouble.