What stick to buy from where

[Beaverman]

I'm an old school retread who is getting back into solo/tandem canoeing after 20+ years off kayaking and doing other things, like horses and airplanes. I have a 1972 Mad River Endurall which I was comfortable with up to section IV of the Chattooga and a 1995 Mad River Howler which is my latest addition, although I used to paddle an ME and a Courier, in addition to a Sage C1, a Hahn C1, and a Sedavic C2 back in ancient history. The Endurall is my cargo camping barge today, but the Howler is why I am stick hunting.

I still have some old Norse raft sticks and a very nice New World custom, and an old but good Harmony Fiberglass canoe paddle, but I am hunting the equivalant of a modern Iliad paddle, possibly made of carbon fiber, for Class II-V rocky rivers. I've been known to be tough on sticks in the past and really don't want to tear up my New World or the Harmony as both are irreplaceable and have sentimental value to me and I like the way they feel. I'm keeping them for when the water is up and not so boney. I like a BIG wide blades, but I love the weight of my 7 carbon fiber kayak paddles, with my carbon Lendel Powermaster being my favorite. Although I have tried and am using bent shaft kayak paddles, I think I want a straight shaft straight blade T handled canoe stick as this suits my style.

What canoe stick do y'all recommend to use today for open boating? Thank you for your replies.

ps - anybody know what happened to Iliad paddle company? I assume they died or got bought up and dropped as I can't even find them in an internet search.

[Sir Adam]

Illiad no longer exists...I can't recall if they got purchased by a conglomerate or just went out of business...but I use mine to raft guide on occasion (when not using my Norse:) ).

If you were looking for a Norse look-alike it would be easier - the Shaggy Design folks are building them, and they are great sticks. Not light, though.

I'm sure others will chime in, but I'd recommend you check out both Mitchell (not sure about durability on creeks though), Galasport (my favorite non-creek or rocky river carbon paddle, along with Echo), and ESPECIALLY Rough Stuff - My "Savage C1" Rough Stuff is my go to paddle for everything - it's light and bomber, and has withstood lots of rock hits. Water feel is not as good as an Echo or Galasport, but the durability more than makes up for it, for my standard use.

http://www.echopaddles.com
http://www.roughstuff.ie/portal/index.htm

Welcome back in to the fold

[old and in the way]

Here's a vote for a wood shaft, carbon blade Mitchell. Nothing beats the feel of wood, IMHO.

[Sir Adam]

I REALLY like the older Mitchell sticks...but the newer ones feel more like "production" pieces to me (I have two, both all wood, though one has carbon over the wood blade).

An Echo, on the other hand, feels very special. Better "finish" too (all 4 of the Mitchell's I've purchased (2 as wedding gifts) had varnish / resin "drips").

Mind you, I think Mitchell's are GREAT sticks, backed by one of the best repair policies I've heard of (it almost always costs something, but it's cheaper than purchasing a new stick), but I'd go Echo. And not just because they help sponsor this site:)

[Beaverman]

Thanks for the replies.

I hope my knees hold up. Already had the right one operated on in the past and am liberally padding things up as I go. Dry suit should help me extend my season more comfortably than the old neoprene wetsuits. Lusting over some decked C1 and C2's I saw that may come up for sale soon, but think I will stick with the open's for now. If the Howler is anything like the ME, I should have my hands full knocking off the rust, but it should be fun.

[Bahndo]

If you want all wood I'd look into a Backlund paddle, Keith does really nice work and can make you anything you want. I also support Mitchell paddles although I have not used one in a few years. I currently use galasport paddles and have been really happy with them, but they are all composite and not everybody likes the feel of a composite stick.

[Atucky]

Depending on how much money you are willing to spend, there are many options.

Cheap tuff sticks- aqua bound and werner

Nicer sticks- Mitchell, H20, galasport (typically have to order these)

[NZMatt]

Hi Adam,

Believe it or not....I broke my Rought Stuff last week...on a class 2 with a good flow. I don't know what happened, but I looked down at one point and thought....hmmm...that blade looks mighty flat. Then I noticed the back rib had a fold in it. Buga! Still, it's taken 2+years off alpine creeking to bust it, which isn't too bad.

My Echo has actually lasted better, although it too is now suffering and 've just ordered a new one.

Matt

[oc1paddlr]

welcome back beaverman! i took off about 5 years thinking i was a sailor till i got back on a river and the magic of it all overwhelmed me all over again. i'v always liked a wood stick, but werner bandit is what i use now. maybe a combo mitchell ? let us know what you get

[philcanoe]

have you tried any of the curved blade OC1 paddles... for early catch and power, both on-and-off sides they are used by a lot of people

[bald1]

Mitchell is my current paddle, but I also have a Werner carbon fiber.

They both have curved blades and look very similar in size and shape. The Werner is very light but the mitchell look and feels better.

The Mitchell is wood with carbon wrapped blade. It gets my vote.

-Bryan

[ezwater]

I have two Clinch River curved blade paddles, and a Mitchell with a curved blade. I think Bailey Johnson is closing down his Clinch River operation.

My Mitchell is an excellent paddle, but perhaps more flexible than is appropriate for a tall, heavy person. Both Clinch River paddles are very good paddles.

My opinion is that if you contact Mitchell and work with them directly, you are likely to get what you want. If you just order out of the book, you are taking a chance, as you would with any other paddle maker.

[Beaverman]

Well, I bought "A" paddle, used, got a good deal on it, and I like it, but it will not be my main paddle - probably the paddle for my tandem partner. She's tried it a few times now and liked it.

It is a Wenonah Carbon C1 stick and weighs about 15 ounces. Nice and light, but the blade is not big enough for my taste. Very smooth in the water though.

Still using the Harmony stick and the wood New World for now. May go back to the Norses when it is boney.

Thanks again for your suggestions. WIll check them out when I have money again.