C-Forum

I have a Silver Creek paddle which I am reluctantly accepting is not long for this world. I have had it since Dagger first started making the Cascade (no, I don't really want to know when that was) and despite my best efforts it is showing its age. So who is making quality wood paddles? Opinions and experiences?

mitchell wood-wood. or you can go modern and get a wood shaft with a carbon blade. gives you the flex of wood but the grab, weight, and recovery of a carbon paddle.

I like my Mitchell with wood shaft and carbon blade.

There are lots of good options out there, ranging from $200-$400. How much money do you want to spend?

Fritz Orr - beautiful. Don't know much about them.
Clinch River (Bailey Johnson) - good luck getting him to make another batch though.
RivrStyx (Jim Snyder) - beautiful handcrafted paddles - probably the best looking I have ever seen.
Echo (Andy Convery) - popular among Canadians, good looking sticks.
Mitchell - good bang for your buck
Zap (Vince Zappia) - a Georgia local, and my choice.

If you're interested in the Zap paddles, I can tell you about mine, or I can put you directly in touch with Vince.

I've got both a wood Mitchell and a wood Echo. Each has it's own attributes but overall they are both excellet. The Mitchell is more affordable which is usually the attribute most paddlers put the most weight on.

Bob Wiggins wrote:mitchell wood-wood. or you can go modern and get a wood shaft with a carbon blade. gives you the flex of wood but the grab, weight, and recovery of a carbon paddle.

The mitchell wood shaft/wood blade and wood shaft/carbon blade are identical except for the carbon rather than fiberglass covering the face and back of the blade. In reality, the weight difference for this is negligible and carbon does not adhear to aluminum as well as glass does so you're more likely to see tip delamination in this configuration. A true carbon paddle (like a gala) is worlds lighter.

Check out Blunt Family Paddles when u get a chance. Kenny Kiley apprenticed with Keith Backlund, and he's got mad skills. Only guy I could get to build a bentshaft for whitewater. Custom wood stick seem expensive, but u only gonna haveta buy it once. With some care it will last as long as u paddle. And the feel and balance will be light years ahead of more "mass produced" sticks. Do the earth a favor, steer clear of the throwaways.

I've long admired Echo's (my flat water Echo is a piece of art!), I have a Mitchell, have used a Backlund, but I have to say after seeing it at the Armada Jim Snyder's blades are amazing - Mike Watson's slight spoon "slalom" style stick is amazing. I need to talk to Jimi this year or next....

Bailey (Clinch River) on a "How long you willin' ta' wait?" status are my personal favorites.

Mitchell makes a nice paddle... they have for decades.

But... if I had to go out and purchase a brand new retail paddle right now... I'll ditto the comments on Echo paddles. They feel 'right' in the water... and I honestly don't know how to better explain it than that.

http://www.echopaddles.com/canoe_paddle ... water.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

wood is good.. .

You're in GA, so check out Brandy and John Lesan's wooden paddles up around the Chattooga. Pothole Paddles. http://www.potholepaddles.net" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Brandy started making wood paddles in Eighties He does fine work, makes bent shaft kayak paddles, bent shaft canoe and regular. He can spoon your blade too. The website doesn't show canoe paddles, if I remember right, but he's made many sweet ones. I have three, a bent shaft sprint, a short play stick, and a stout, big water paddle. They hang on my wall when not in water. Prices very reasonable for the quality.

Have you looked into repair of your Silver Creek? I seem to recall Mitchell will repair paddles built by others...probably other paddle builders will, too. Also, this guy seems to specialize in wood paddle repair:

http://polarpaddles.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Roy

Craig Smerda wrote:Bailey (Clinch River) on a "How long you willin' ta' wait?" status are my personal favorites.

Agreed. I'm waiting for a second from Bailey....

I have a Pothole canoe paddle as well and have been very satisfied.

Bailey Makes a dam Fine stick, dam shame, Shipping crates are in such High Demand in Eastern Tennessee !

wish i could get a JimmiStyk .... River Styx paddles are a work of art

Can we see pics of those Bailey sticks??
Cheers