Canoe Tripping Paddle Design

Gord Baker, from Algonquin Outfitters, shows off a couple very different paddle designs he's used for canoe tripping.

[@woodsmansfinest3814]

Great video and approach... Very much my opinion and wonderful talk and paddles! I'd call this second tripper a modified Maliseet style... Always wondered why these shapes aren't more popular. Made a wider version of this drop shape and would call it Passamaquoddy influenced. All very reminiscent of the east coast imho. Great video again!!!!

[@sarahappyadventurer9411]

I've never thought about the paddles or the boots in that way but it's so true. And each persons experience with a paddle or whatever is definitely specific to them. This was a great quick little clip, the difference in shape between those two paddles made me laugh at first :D

[@TheHappyCamper]

Sara HappyAdventurer Thanks. It was just a quick glimpse at various paddles - used in different regions

[@dougpacanoemanburns4294]

Nice job I just had a Bending Branches Arrow up in Algonquin, but missed the flex of my Old Town beavertail

[@WaldoVonErich3]

I would like to heard Gord's opinions on canoes. He mentioned that he had a lot of them.

[@petervanduinen6647]

Gord Baker what three canoes do you have? And what would be your opinion on best Canoe for tripping in Algonquin Park?

[@darrenbush2835]

I thought you wrote God's opinions on canoes. He has a lot of them too. :-)

[@hudson8865]

Thank you.

[@MichaelStasica]

Love this, I Miss Ontario water

[@scottengh1175]

Kevin, keep looking for the video of what paddle that you use. Badger tripper ottertail or badgertail? New bigger diameter shaft or traditional? Badger's recommend length or next length shorter? Minnesotan willing to go traditional, not willing to double blade.

[@TheHappyCamper]

I use the Badger Tripper (because it's a little longer) for solo and the Badger Tail tandem.

[@scottengh1175]

@@TheHappyCamper thank you. So your beavertail/tandem is say 3 inches/7.6 cm shorter than your tripper? Thanks for the info. I have spent a few hours searching through your shows. I am contacting a celebrity, author, mentor. Very honored and humbled. Truly.

[@TheHappyCamper]

@@scottengh1175 Let me know if your paddle works out, and enjoy getting out there this season.

[@scottengh1175]

@@TheHappyCamper I am planning to purchase 2 or 3 Badgers and give it a try. Thanks

[@iguanaamphibioustruck7352]

We hiked into the Bob Marshall 45 years ago. We had blow up boats (pack rafts) and took junior canoe paddles that were good for hiking and sometimes a tent pole. Iguana

[@tommacpherson7288]

30 paddles?! I consider myself extravagant with 4.

[@JoeOsChannel]

I don't even keep count of how many paddles I have. I know I've built roughly 1200 to 1500 so far though in my home based woodshop. Canoe paddles, kayak paddles and a few SUP paddles. Got another dozen canoe paddles on the go right now.

[@darrenbush2835]

The Nashwaak model was the Maliseet blade. I have one. I did take a Shaw and Tenney Penobscot and took a pattern maker rasp to the grip and did a reasonable approximation of the Omer grip.

[@Wordsnwood]

I guess I don't really follow the disappointment about the Nashwaak not being produced any more... Paddles are not that hard to build. How tough could it be to duplicate that one?

[@gordonbaker6568]

wordsnwood I would be happy to test paddle your Nashwaak replica. Can you make it a #1 flex, please? (there were five levels of flex available).

[@Wordsnwood]

Gordon Baker Your confidence in my abilities is perhaps a bit misplaced. I have made a few paddles, but only laminated paddles so far. www.wordsnwood.com/2012/paddle2/ I am by no means an expert. That comment about flex mystifies me. How on earth can they guarantee that? Wood is a living thing that comes in a huge variety. Thats one of the lovely things about it. I've found tremendous variation even between boards of the same species of tree.

[@gordonbaker6568]

wordsnwoodJeff Solway, maker of the Nashwaak, went over the top on the flex thing in my opinion. The "five flex" paddle was a noodle, but the "one flex" was just right for me. He had some kind subjective gauge for flex, as did Ray Kettlewell, who is now retired. Each paddle is flexed and tweaked until it has the right feel. Mike Ramsey at Badger does this now. I have never made a paddle because I know too may paddlemakers that make beautiful paddles. It would be harder to do with laminated blades, all of these paddles I refer to are solid hardwood, usually cherry. Any paddle can push a canoe through the water. A finely balanced paddle makes it easier and more pleasurable. Drop by AO on your next Algonquin trip and we will talk paddles.

[@downeastprimitiveskills7688]

Gordon Baker Also note the banjo paddle has a spine that runs down the blade while the Nashwaak has no spine whatsoever. In weaker woods like cedar you can add a spine to the blade. I have a super light cedar paddle with little spine and I have to be careful with it. Mostly used while in a small old town otter kayak.

[@gordonbaker6568]

downeast primitive skills The Sawyer also has a fibreglass-covered blade, like many wide laminated paddles. The bad glass work around the edges was added by me after it started to delaminate a bit.

[@teelaywaht7840]

Can I make sure they have some ship.. No, exactly not. ho and then how you know was him.

[@urbanmusher]

Ohhhh! ...I cant listen to all that ahhhh and ummmm, just a really bad speaker. What's the name of the 2nd paddle? I replayed it 3x and still have no idea other than it starts with an "N". Be pretty helpful to spell the names.

[@urbanmusher]

Robin Lauer Well that's good, and you've spelled it correctly so you're familiar with the product? I am not familiar with it, have never heard of it, but tried as I said above.