DIY Bent Shaft Canoe Paddle (with normal tools)

[@tacticalskiffs8134]

That trick with elevating the paddle is a good one. I just plane the back of the shaft to the point where the transition is tightened up a bit, but your approach does create some other options.

[@tbcarleton]

Thank you, I'll be making 4.

[@mad_dog_b52]

I took a class to learn how to make one and am now building more for a nephew. I use dark western red cedar and pine cut into 3/16 strips and alternate 7 strips dark and light. The contrast looks great. Gluing is messy, no way around it. I cut a taper in the handle before gluing the handle blocks on so there’s not so much material to remove by sanding or if you’re like me, by spoke shave and draw knife. It’s a fun project! The hardest part is finding nice knot free lumber to start with especially the darker cedar. I enjoyed the video.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

It looks like you're a bit more careful, precise and discriminating than I am! I'll use whatever wood I can get ahold of - knotty or not! I find that for normal paddling, any wood will do, but I'm positive yours will look better! Thanks for watching.

[@tacticalskiffs8134]

That is a dangerous cut on a table saw, for the grip. Particularly since the blade is pulling the piece away from the fence. And it is too short, wide and thick. It was also light, and your fingers were not involved. So easy when you know how. People sometimes forget you can just split pieces like that out. It won't work if the piece is gnarly, but I wouldn't choose a piece like that for a paddle grip. I've been building bent shafts, now and again for my own use, for 45 years. At one point I took a friend (later wife) out in a canoe, and as we rounded a point the wind picked up, and I masterfully took charge. At which point the carbon fiber kick point below the grip let go with a bang! Never had that happen with my all wood paddles. A common theme in boatbuilding, it takes more carbon than you think. Happily in human affairs, it only takes one trip in a canoe...

[@kendellharbin]

Wow I so very much appreciate your simple strategy. Seeing someone makea paddle using simple tools and materials makes the whole process a lot more approachable!

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

thanks for the encouraging input!

[@PineMartyn]

Excellent tutorial. I will be trying this!

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Yup - and it's not hard - the key is the jig. Once you know the process of glueing and clamping, the mystery is solved!

[@PineMartyn]

@@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904 I thought I should let you know that I did make my own bentshaft paddle in much the way you demonstrated in your video. It was a complete success. And I think I may now be a convert to the advantages of the bent shaft paddle. Gratefully, - Martin

[@DinoAlberini]

every ten seconds I have an “Aha!” moment watching this.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

That was the idea! I know that everyone I spoke to about paddles before I did the video had no idea how to bend a shaft! Cheers,

[@scottf9044]

the different color designs in paddles is what intrigues me. There are some beautiful pieces out there. I'm guessing from your video that you simply need to use wood that has the natural color you're looking for, since no staining is done?

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Correct! I tried to stain at one point, but the stain does not penetrate very deep into the wood, and when you start sanding to shape the blade and shaft, etc. the stain will sand out. There may be a way to "precision stain" sections after you're done shaping, but most of the gorgeous designs you see online are done with different wood types. Great question!

[@jimsenior403]

Now that you have used a bent shaft, you might consider trying a double bend shaft.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Maybe, but I like my current one and I'm not sure what advantages a double bent really offers.

[@jimsenior403]

I used a single bend for about 10years. I tried a double bend in 2016, I have put my 3 remaining singles away. If you have a chance to try one please do. It may not be for you, but then again...

[@gonefishingtwo]

Awesome crafting.🇮🇪

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Encouragement and constructive criticism is always welcome! Cheers,

[@delkelso]

great video, very helpful, thanks! feel like it might not be polite, but wondering how much it weighs? i have a similar manufactured panel that weighs 2 pounds.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Great question! Mine weighs 1 lb 6.7 oz total. Cheers,

[@sholland88862]

Great video. Very helpful. Thanks

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@SterlingCorrodusCounterCulture]

Good job

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

I did my best - though not perfectly. It was my first bent shaft.

[@gutrench23]

Awesome. thank you for the video!

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

When I get a chance, I'll make another bent shaft but instead of a hardwood tip, I'll use epoxy to see if it wears better! Thanks for watching!

[@gutrench23]

@@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904 i was thinking that too. I will be making one soon after im done restoring my canoe.

[@mattdjmorris]

Nicely done! Thanks for sharing!

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Thanks for watching! Always appreciate encouragement or constructive criticism!

[@philipjalowiec420]

Awesome!

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@costas_karpi]

Amazing! thanks for showing us that 👍

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

My pleasure!

[@Deb-xm1jw]

Great tutorial! Thanks.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Glad it was helpful!

[@FrankLadd]

Great video, but I like the grip on the paddle in the first minute of the video better. Can you show me how to make that grip?

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Hey Frank. I just took a photo of a really basic (but useful) drawing I made up for you to show you how to make that handle. In a nutshell, when the paddle shaft was unfinished and rough, I shaped it with a "T-top". But, you can just glue 2 chunks on either side of a rough straight shaft to form the "T". Then, I added two more pieces of softwood along the top side of the T on either side to make it thicker. Then, I just shaped it however I liked. If you'd like to see the drawing, email me at [e-mail].

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

I might make another paddle video and show that grip, but unfortunately I'm not making one soon. If it helps, I can tell you that the grip in the paddle I was holding in the first minute, is made exactly the same way as the bent shaft one. The difference is in how it is shaped with a belt sander. Essentially, the shaft is square when I start, so it's easy to glue 2 chunks of wood on either side (2-3 inches long and as wide as the shaft). Then I glue 2 more chunks on the front and back to create what looks like a large, wooden block at the top of my shaft. Then, it's a matter of shaping. Only the bent shaft paddle handle is shaped asymmetrically since it will only be used in one direction/position. I'm not sure that helps, but it's all I've got for now! cheers,

[@jtdonovan6719]

I have a question about figuring the overall length. Is this done based on the length of the straight ahaft prior to bending? For example, if i need a 54" paddle do I make that measurement off the straight shaft? This is the only part of building one that confuses me.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

you might not like my answer but it's an honest one! I throw out all length measurements and go with how it "feels". I took one of my straight shaft paddles that was a perfect length for me and my canoe, and then pretended it was bent shaft. I had to sit in my canoe because each canoe with a seat height from the gunwales that's different than the next canoe requires a different paddle length. I just chose a length I was comfortable with after mimicking my paddling style in my pool. I'm not sure that helps, but it's all I've got! Thanks for watching!

[@jtdonovan6719]

I appreciate the answer and I really enjoyed the video

[@therealsparkman]

Kudos to you for making this video. I'm sure that there are a few ways to make a jig to bend the strips for the shaft, but good idea anyway. Did you use just regular spruce wood or was that cedar? By the way, you can never have enough tools. I look for an excuse to buy one. Wife isn't amused though. LOL!! I'm hoping to make a few paddles over the coming winter. Your video provided me with some good insight how to proceed. Cheers!!

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

I gotta admit that I used 2x4s from Home Depot. They advertise them as Spruce/Pine/Fir so I don't really know. I used a 10-foot long 2x4 I had in the shop! Thanks for checking it out!

[@Knight805]

Fiberglass epoxy?

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Hey M. Not sure what you're asking, but with my DIY paddle, I did not add any fiberglass reinforcement. It's not a bad idea for sure, but I've made about a dozen paddles since around 2007 and none of them have broken from hard use with only Gorilla glue and marine Spar Varnish.

[@Knight805]

@@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904 yes whether or not you use it. I was curious as to how they hold up without it. Thanks for your input. I'm going be making one soon. I built a kayak already, just need a nice paddle too.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

It's the only paddle I use regularly (3 multi-day trips annually and about a dozen local day trips in my area of Southern Ontario). It's only 2 years old but shows no signs of splitting and doesn't make any snapping noises when I bend it with my hands as though I'm trying to break apart the glued blade pieces. The key is to use a good glue (Gorilla wood glue is a great option) and use enough of, AND clamp it tight so glue is squishing out everywhere. If I were to make another one, I'd try a tip made with any sort of hard epoxy instead of black walnut wood which is semi-hardwood. The walnut has taken a bit of a beating over the past year and I've had to re-sand and re-coat. I wish I had done epoxy.

[@scottf9044]

@@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904 would you just finish the tip in hard epoxy or do something entirely different with a different material?

[@Monstamonkey]

Electric planer? For shaping the paddle blade?

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

I used it for a bit since my blade was an inch thick in some places. I needed to shed a whole lot of wood quickly.

[@dcm6073]

Great idea using the planer to take some of the excess off the paddle. I've used just a spoke shave on some straight paddles and it takes hours. Great thought and I will use it on future builds.