paddles
Keep in mind that traditional paddles, whether kayak or canoe, were made by splitting the blank out of the tree ie the grain is going to be pretty straight. Most of us buy sawn lumber, so we need to be choosy when we select our stock.
Clear WRC
I made mine out of Clear western Red Cider . . . $20 for a 8’ 2x4. It is as good as I can get around here.
Thanks for all your help. I glad to find out that it is just the nature of the beast and not the fact that my technique . . . However I’m sure my technique does suck.
Dave