It's kind of like that question. Each has its own characteristics, plusses and minuses depending on the situation. For racing, there is no question that carbon in bent shaft format is a necessity to be competitive today. But for recreational cruising, enjoyable maneuvering, and the sheer pleasure of performing and learning advanced paddle strokes, it is wood for me. A feather edge straight blade ottertail is my preference.
I don't get the whole flexible paddle thing. I paddle marathon canoe races, fully up to 18 hours a day for 6+ straight days in the case of the Y1K, with a stiff carbon blade. Proper technique and training doesn't require the losses from a flexible blade. For recreational paddling my wood paddle is minimally flexible, not because it has to be, but is a characteristic of preferring a thin feather edged blade. Even then i seek out those that have absolute minimal flex.
carbon I have broken wood paddles and Carbon paddles. Per milage of useage I have had much better service from the carbon.6-7000 miles per incidence on carbon (stupidity both times) Wood under a 1000 miles per incidence.
Wow, a lot of ppl seem to like carbon, and because of the weight.
However, I'm looking at Werner Shuna paddles at the moment (the one the Werner Fit Guide says I should go with), and in fiberglass, bent-shaft, it's 29.75 oz.
The Shuna Carbon, in bent-shaft? 29.5 oz. Pretty much the same.
So if the weight difference isn't much (is it?), what's the big hoo-ha over carbon? Is it stiffness? Looks? High-techie-ness?
And if it's increased stiffness, could that have a negative impact on my body/put more strain on my joints?
Just playin' a little devil's advocate here.
I'm kinda checking out wood too, I've always liked wooden paddles visually. Maybe if I get a GP as a second paddle.
Black willow I have carbon and several other wood paddles,but I really like Bending Branches Black willow paddles. They are real lite for a wood paddle,fairly tough,look nice, feel good in the water and are reasonably priced. The Expresso plus straight and Navagator dubble are my facorits.I don’t know if anybody else uses this wood.
My plastic paddles, bought in the early days are for the grandkids, my son, his wife, and their friends who not too kind to them when paddling.
Early on I had an AT full carbon, but a friend lost it in a strainer, while paddling with me, and wanted to try it out. Last time I lent my carbon to anyone.
I have an AT with a carbon shaft and fiberglass blades and 3 all carbon. I prefer my bent shafts due to the ovality at the grip site. For this person, weight really matters for the comfort it gives over heavier paddles. You can tell the difference, especially when paddling for 5-6 hours at a time. It isn’t about being ‘snobbish’, it’s about having a good day.
I’ve had two carbon blades repaired for me by a friend. I finally learned to use caution when pushing off.
Wood But… I have three carbon paddles that I love. For racing or extremely long distances where weight becomes and issue I like carbon. For feel in my hands I like wood best. Specifically sassafras. It is springy and soft that is super comfortable. It also stays cool in the sun and warm in the winter.
most Of the responses here with carbon are talking about single blades. Zre has perfected the carbon single blade paddle, they make them at weights that make it feel like a tennis racket or ping pong paddle.
As far as double blades, my onno wing supposedly weighs about 22-24oz. I don’t know nor have I weighed it, but it is extremely light.The bent shaft you are looking at will add weight.
Hmmmm, Tough Question First off, I’ve broken several wooden paddles, but been using carbon ZRE’s quite a bit since 2003 and never broke one. And I paddle mostly rivers, 99% of the time paddling very abrasive, rocky waters.
Gosh, I like both equally. I like the weight of carbon, but like the “Feel” of wood, especially when paddling when it’s cool outside. And, paddling with a nice wooden beavertail on a quiet morning is “Special.”
I recently found a great deal on a Mitchell Leader with carbon blade and wooden shaft, it may be just the ticket for winter paddling. But I’ll always have a fondness for a nice, wooden beavertail to mess around with when I’m paddling solo.
..... nothing feels as comfortable and natural in my hands as wood .
I have a paddle that I re-engineered from an old fir paddle , one of those old 60" straight jobs . It got a new Cherry shaft built deep into the blade , an Ipe tip gaurd , some blade thinning , water base powder staining , epoxy and cloth coated with varnish top coats . Used it's old palm grip halves fitted to new shaft . It's now 58" and very light weight , feels great in the hands and paddles great too .
That's just one example of what can be done with an old wood paddle . I like my cheap Carlisle Beavertails also , and all my other wood paddles too , the expensive ones and the cheap ones .
Just for the mentioning , you can take most any ol wood paddle (old , new , cheap ect.) and customize it , tweak it to your liking and shazaam , sweet !!
I'm happy in the 18-21 oz. range straight shaft wooden canoe paddle . They all feel different , but all feel good .
If you are considering the carbon Shuna then you need to take a serious look at the Cyprus. In my opinion the foam core blades are head and shoulders above non-foam blades. YMMV