I want a GP...

…I might try and carve one later.



Would like to buy my first,Would some G.P. users make some recomendations,Thank you…Danny

Custom
http://www.lumpypaddles.com/

another
http://www.bealepaddles.com/

Greyak Paddles!
Love mine! GPs, Aleuts, and some non-traditional stuff that’s pretty cool - trouble is he isn’t currently selling any, and would probably be too slow and charge too much if he did! :wink:



For a very good custom sized GP at fair price - contact Don Beale: http://www.bealepaddles.com



I have purchased Beale and Superiors (both very good), and tried many of the “commercial” GPs (some OK, some not so great). I carve my own now.



There are other custom carvers who are good too, but I cannot really recommend what I haven’t tried myself. Others will no doubt testify on their behalf…

Would like to carve…
…But,limited on space for now! I like the price tag on these!,compared to my Werner.



Thanks…Danny

agree
bill makes a very sweet and reasonably priced paddle

It’s
probably better to buy the first one…it’s very rare that the first carved paddle is a good rendition. There are suptle differances in design that most people learn only after paddling with a good Greenland paddle for awhile. The first few, usually become kindling that even tho they’re nice to look at, they lack in the paddling catagory.



Best Wishes

Roy

I will agree.
Not to mention the last time i built something out of wood was in 9th grade woodshop!



A gun cabinet from birch plywood. I remember there was a plan for a canoe i wanted to build

but,Mr glock said “no way kid!” too advanced…



Aww the memories…Danny

Mitchells
I have a Horizon (newer design, w/o the veneer). I would give it a B or a B+. It is not as well shaped as the Beales, but it ain’t bad. Stay away from teh first-generation Mitchells with the veneer - they are clunly and heavy.



Jim

LUMPY
I am quite happy with my lumpy paddle, and Bill is a good guy to work with. My lumpy is my #1 paddle. Thanks Bill!

I tried one from a guy who carved his.
That did it for me. I picked up a couple Western Red Cedar rough sawn 2 x 4’s (they had 16 footers) and plan on making a couple and see what happens.



Yes - - I know - - you folks are going to tell me to buy one first. It’s easier on the pocket, and the wifes wrath if I make my own, besides that, I have all the tools I need to do it.

Mitchell.

– Last Updated: Jul-28-07 7:32 AM EST –

Very reasonably priced, totally laminated (even the loom!) for stength and straightness (not just cut out of a WRC 2x4), and they customize loom, blade length and width, wood type (even with exotic woods such as walnut, cherry, etc.) and they customize overall length. Just for you, exactly as you specify. So, you can basically disregard the numbers on their website. For instance, I have 3 inch wide blades, black walnut, with 17 inch loom and 84 inches overall length. Not a problem. Yvonne Mitchell is great to work with by phone or email.
http://www.mitchellpaddles.com/paddles/kt/horizon.html
And 15% off for PPerks members. Currently, retail is $198, and with PPerks discount, only $168.50 (plus shipping, which is very reasonable, something like $14)! Outstanding bargain from a family-owned paddlemaker in New Hampshire since 1972.
http://www.newfound.com/images/mitchell-greenland-paddles.jpg
The one on the far right in the picture is cherry. Wowzer.
I find them very functional and seaworthy. If I am travelling, as my paddle friends did recently, upstream against a current, I use a Werner Euro paddle for grip. But otherwise, I use the G.P. exclusively. Even working on my G.P. roll. It's good.

Check the grain carefully first
My second paddle is still my favorite GP, so you don’t have to make scores of them. That said, I recommend that you take the time to find clear quartersawn (or at least riftsawn) lumber with NO grain run-out in the loom area (some info on cuts of lumber is at http://www.inthewoodshop.org/methods/lumber.jpg.



While some people like flatsawn GPs, they tend to be too flexible for my taste and are more prone to warping. If you have the tools, you might have good luck working with 4X4’s – often much easier to find good grain than in a 2X4.



You can find info on GP making on the Qajaq USA site at http://www.qajaqusa.org/Equipment/equipment.htm .



Greg Stamer

Novorca…

– Last Updated: Jul-27-07 11:13 PM EST –

http://www.novorca.com/

Ron at Novorca works with you to create custom CAD models of each paddle that you order and then has it carved on his special CNC machine so that you have a perfectly symmetrical paddle. His prices for both wood and carbon paddles are very reasonable as well. Here's a link to a video of his crazy machine in action... http://www.rollingclinic.com/videos/novorca.swf (Ron credits me on the clip as "publicity" but that's a bit of tongue in cheek as he's just a friend of mine who's paddles I happen to really be a fan of.)

Oh and you can't go wrong with Beale paddles either. Don's paddles are among the best and I'm a big fan.

Just Sayin’
You might also want to check out Cricket Designs paddles available at http://www.cricketdesigns.com/greenland.htm and through Water Walker.

Thats what im talk’in bout…
…Optons! Google search,not to good for finding GP’s



…Thank you for all the replies.





…Danny

One thing to Consider
Since it is your first GP you might want to go with an un-shouldered paddle. Without the shoulders you can experimet with different hand widths and find out what works best for you. If possible talk with the builder and see what they think about starting un-shouldered. If you are not getting a custom built GP I would definitely recommend going un-shouldered



I have a laminated un-shouldered GP from Superior Kayaks (Mark Rodgers) and a one-piece western red cedar storm paddle (with shoulders) from Don Beale. I like both of them. Next paddle will probably be a Don Beale one-piece with shoulders. Purchased GP’s are cheaper for me because of the added emergency room expenses when I try to work with sharp tools.



Mark

Yep!
Im no stranger to nuckle bust’in,not look’in for another scar.



Un-shouldered,never considered that one. Sounds like a good idea.Thanks for the hint.



…Danny

Thanks for the added info
I’m just lucky to find any Western Red Cedar in my area. It’s a small little lumber yard that has it, so I’m kinda stuck with what I can get.



If I like what I’ve cut, I may consider gluing up a better blank with possibly some Ash I have hangin around along with WR Cedar. That would also help with the stiffness

Options
Danny,



You can find a list of commercial GP sources at http://www.qajaqusa.org/Equipment/commercial_paddles.htm .



Greg Stamer