Western red cedar and basswood are the woods that I most often use in paddle making. I
like them both. Cedar, in particular, is just about the perfect wood for paddling. But that does not
mean it is the only wood. If you have made your first few paddles or you have a clear vision of what
you want, I might be able to help supply the wood for that special paddle.
First of all is the combination of Peruvian walnut and poplar. This makes for a blackish and creamish striped looking paddle shaft.
Ebony and Ivory from Stevie Wonder (??) is the earbug going through my head when I look at this combo.
Redwood is also in stock in scarce quantities. Old spruce likewise in small quantities.
Old Spruce with Side Knot for Top of Shaft
Here's my one piece of spruce. So far. I've not had the occasion, until I found this piece, to venture into the spruce world, but it
is a wood with a long history in both boat and plane building. Howard Hughes had his behemoth "Spruce Goose" back in the day right?
Anyway, this old piece of spruce that I stumbled across has the unique option of being cut in such a way that an old branch, now a knot,
comes out of the side of the wood rather than the top. This might just be the most unique
piece of lumber I have ever come across.
So if you are looking for a unique center shaft strip or a shaft top strip, a piece of this might fit your plan!
Walnut and Poplar Shaft Strips and Blade Combination
Simple and yet completely different. This is Peruvian Walnut and Poplar. The black is not
truly black, it's more like chocolate. The white is not truly white it's more of a cream.
Together I think the two add up to a great look that still offers the strength and light weight
that makes a paddle made out of these woods functional.
