Wooden kayaks should be paddled by wooden paddles. After building the Storm LT, I set out to make a Greenland style paddle. A
dozen paddles latter, I am still building them (even thought I don't own a kayak). The paddles are quick to make and very rewarding to
build and use. Two resources are of great benefit.
First is Chuck Holst's very informative pdf with full instructions on construction and use of the Greenland paddle. He also has
instructions for making a storm paddle. Matt Johnson has put together a free video detailing this construction - Carving the Greenland
Paddle.
Brian Nystrom has produced a great book (really worth the price!) on making Greenland Paddles. He offers great tips on every aspect
of the construction and finish. Order it online here.
Tip protection is important. The right three are
fiberglassed. The first two have an epoxy tip while
on the third I wrapped a 1/4" walnut strip around the
tip. The three black tips are epoxy with carbon filler.
The two on the right are unfinished, but will also
have black epoxy tips. Before I oil the shaft and
blade, I paint on one coat of epoxy at the tip. After
finishing the loom and blade, I then paint on two
additional coats of epoxy mixed with graphite
powder.
Greenland Kayak Paddles
The current collection and evolution of
building styles from R to L. The left
most is a storm paddle. All paddles
are made of western red cedar. The
laminated paddles also contain ash,
walnut and basswood.
A view of the blades. The first three paddles on the
right are all solid WRC, but differ greatly in color and
weight: the second weighs 38oz compared to 26oz
on the third.
Chuck Holst's plan calls for a gradual taper on
the loom (seen on the right) while Nystrom's
plans uses a more abrupt taper between the
loom and blade (seen on the left). The verdict is
still out on my preference.