Foxworx paddle review

[KNeal]

Thanks for your input, Milkman. That is the informed opinion I consider important. And you well made the point of price-to-expectations about paddles, craftsmanship, function, and durability. Now that ncdavid gave the correct expression to a well-abused cliche, I will gladly use that one instead.

This certainly has been fun.

[Larry Horne]

if everyone applied your same "point of price to expectations" to contractors... now THAT would be fun! Instead, everyone expects the rock bottom bidder to produce the same product as the top bidder.
this oblique rant is officially over sorry guys

[Mike Gardner]

I have two paddling friends who have FoxWorx 3 paddles. Both have used the tar out of 'em. Todd paddles deeper stuff so no probs but Ben, on a trip to back East, put the blade between some rocks and put a 2 inch crack about half way up the outside part of the blade. Split the carbon fiber cover. Still got him down the rest of the Tellico and didn't notice until packing up for another river. Damage can happen to any paddle but this is reasonably tough for a decent price. I have to agree with Larry that poor quality products should be returned unless you are not bothered or the defect is cosmetic then it's your money..

[philcanoe]

excuse me for not believing this...

I was willing to accept a flaw may occur, and was not going to dawg-pile. But to not own up to shoddy workmanship is a deal breaker for me, much as in any endeavor I've worked. Which is exactly what this is, a improperly constructed paddle. shame shame shame you deserve a new paddle, not excuses...

Phil, have you actually USED one of their paddles? It is fine for you to look at the paddle and pass judgment. It is entirely different to offer an experienced opinion. While you don't like their workmanship (and you certainly can state that), there is an expression that goes like this: "proof is in the pudding" (I really don't know what this means ). Those who have USED a Foxworx paddle has posted positive comments. I'll give more weight to their feedback on what it is like to use the paddle more than anyone who has no experience with the actual product.

Like I said earlier, the blade looks exactly like wildwater canoe blades. They have asymetrical blades so the paddle can pass closer to the boat. I have never heard of a performance difference with that design. If you know of a performance difference with the asymetrical blade, please share that knowledge.

actually

There was no commentary on this paddles function, it's feel, it's reliability, or it's value. Only to not believing the gibberish being offered from this company, about it being perfectly fine to sell an obvious BLEM for full retail. I've been a self employed contractor for 15 years, and top-level Sys-Admin (with a Fortune 500 Company) for the 20 before that. During this time I've also built a few dozen boats for other people, made deck plates, and helmets. AND NEVER - NEVER EVER - would I tell a customer that substandard work should be accepted AS-IS. I don't care if it was a complete kitchen, a boat, a multi-million system, heavy glass work, patching dry wall, or simply fixing a dragging door. A man is not only known by his handwork, but how he handles something not performed as advertised. And this was indeed an obvious BLEM, as the company indicated the paddle moved when routed.

Please I don't need any puddling added, when I never asked for any.

[gumpy]

i have a foxworx paddle. the tip & edging fell apart in 3 months of abusive boating. i had Walt Jepson of Polar Paddles in Friendsville, MD put dynel edging and tip on it, and it's been absolutely bomber for the last year and a half. love it.

[KNeal]

actually

There was no commentary on this paddles function, it's feel, it's reliability, or it's value. Only to not believing the gibberish being offered from this company, about it being perfectly fine to sell an obvious BLEM for full retail.

Read what milkman, mike gardner, and gumpy had to say about actually using this paddle. I understand what you are saying about craftsmanship and I'm not debating that. Simply that customer satisfaction with the paddle is the measure of what I am looking for. Paddles get beat up whether it is a highly crafted/artisan paddle made by Mitchell or Jim Snyder or a less expensive paddle like Norse and Foxworx. I am looking for responses from cboaters who have actually used the paddle and if they feel they are getting their money's worth out of it. Sounds like they are satisfied.

Please I don't need any puddling added, when I never asked for any.

Pudding while paddling?

[philcanoe]

I am looking for responses from cboaters who have actually used the paddle and if they feel they are getting their money's worth out of it. Sounds like they are satisfied....

Actually you didn't ask anything, this was milkman's thread. You simply decided to assume ownership and debate most everything which has been mentioned. Including posting several replies offering almost nothing at all.... including this claim:

The spine is centered along the shaft. It is the blade design that is asymetrical.

Which the builder claimed (as in denied) was never his intention at all. Basically you've adding nothing of real benefit , including adding some lame mention of "the prove being in the pudding...."

A few have mentioned liking the paddle, another was not satisfied with the paddle, and some more didn't like the business ethic of this company's reply... these are all valid responses.

Except for yours... which have only resulted in the many reposts by others. Post like mine, made only in response to your rebuttals. This is a opinion driven forum, people do not have to accept your views. For we all know what opinions are like - and you can leave mine alone.

[KNeal]

Actually you didn't ask anything

Read my very first post to you, Phil. You NEVER answered the question.

Basically you've adding nothing of real benefit , including adding some lame mention of "the prove being in the pudding...."

You're right about that. I wanted opinions from those who actually used the paddle. What you typed in blue was what I was looking for--that is the "proof in the pudding". Everything else has been "inert filler".

This is a opinion driven forum, people do not have to accept your views. For we all know what opinions are like - and you can leave mine alone.

Don't be surprised if someone (me, maybe?) continues to question you about your opinions. You have way more experience with boating than I do and with artisanship, but you offered nothing solid about what it is like to actually use the paddle. That was my original question to you.

[Riverken]

After reading all these posts I became curious and went back to see whether the blade is offset to the shaft on my paddle. I can't tell for sure because one side is so worn, but it does not look like the blade was offset. Having said that, clearly the finish work on the paddle is not as good as other paddles that cost considerably more. It has an amateurish look to it compared to, say, a Mitchell.

Having said THAT, I looked at my log and found that this paddle now has more than 100 trips to its credit and has had pretty rocky time of it. I've never paid any attention to trying to preserve it and have used it for pushing off rocks and digging in the sand. You can see it at work in most of the videos I've posted on vimeo. This paddle is tough. And I've been generally happy with its performance, although my Galasport all carbon that cost about $80 more does handle a bit better. At the price, there had to be some sort of give, and in this case it was a nice finish.

At this price, I can use it, abuse it, and even lose it without major angst. When I finally wear it out, I'm going to make it into a counter top. :D