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
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