Aside from Bending Branches, can anyone recommend a good brand for wooden canoe paddles? The other recommendations we’ve gotten (Mitchell, Grey Owl) seem to no longer be in production.
Ideally, I’d like to find a pair of straight shaft Sugar Island style blades for around <$100 each if possible. We don’t mind spending more on a set of nice paddles but don’t feel confident in paddle sizing yet so would prefer not to spend hundreds paddles that are the wrong size.
Grey Owl in Canada I have their guide model I bought from CLC boat works, It is a dark cherrywood and a sort of modified otter tail. I also own two bent shaft paddles from Fox Worx. They are located in NY if I remember right. They also make straight paddles. I am well pleased with both companies.
Opps, I just checked Fox Worx and it looks like they just make bent shaft paddles these days. However, CLC still carries the Grey Owl guide paddle for $84. So, I checked out the GO site and it looks like they are still in business. Although many of their models appear to be sold out.
Grey Owl Paddles: Handcrafted Canadian Canoeing & Kayaking Paddles – GreyOwlPaddles.com
Fishell
Yea Grey Owl’s website seems active but every paddle I clicked on was sold out, so I wasn’t sure what was going on. Good to hear that brand may still be an option - they were highly recommend by our friend. Thanks!
I’ve been using a Grey Owl guide (a beaver tail) and love it. Carl’s Paddlin in Lone Rock WI usually has a good stock of Grey Owls of various models and might ship - try contacting him.
I also like the Sawyer cedar voyageur which is more of your sugar island style paddle.
Alas, availability my be an issue with both, but if you can find either I’d highly recommend them.
There’s a newer company whose products I’ve seen at Canoecopia and they look really good to me - Badger paddles. Might want to check them out. They have one that is sugar islandish.
Another relatively newer paddle maker I saw at Canoecopia is called Old Mustache but I think all their paddles are bent shaft, though they have a 6deg which is barely a bent. Very nice, light, hollow shafts. They might be a bit delicate for some uses though.
Make one.