> I just started building a "greenland style" paddle last night.
> I'm using a cedar 2" x 2" x 8' and 2 cedar 1" x 2" x
> 8's. I cut the 2 x 2 to 1 1/4 x 1 1/2 and beveled the edges to 45 degrees.
> The cross section is like a stretched stop sign. I then cut the 1 x 2s
> into 3 foot lengths and have started gluing them to the shaft. When all
> the blade pieces are glued, I'll have some minor cuting and planing to do.
> So far my material outlay is under $10, I used left over epoxy for the
> glue. It should give me a very light inexpensive easy to make paddle.

> Mike

I'm afraid you may find the cedar brittle.I have found that spruce is far stronger,and will bend a fair amount before failure,whereas cedar is weaker,and will give little or no warning before failure.Spruce 2x4 or 2x3 can be gotten for less than $3,but you will have to pick thru the pile for a decent one. You can make the shaft of spruce, and the blades from cedar.One good 2x4 will make 2 paddle shafts. The weight difference is negligible.