Bailey -- I've made one using the plans from the "Kayak Shop". Used 1-1/4" fir closet pole, which I ripped in half. The blades are 5.2mm (2/10") lauan and covered in fiberglass. I've used it twice and seems to work fine. While I covered my blades in fiberglass, it's not really necessary (I'm going to make another this weekend for wife and daughters; will scale it down a little).

I'm also trying my hand a Greenland style paddles. What I've done so far (from left to right): Greenland style (from construction grade pine; first one, not too bad, but heavy and has warped); Greenland style storm (blade, double thickness of lauan, with redwood on loom); "Kayak Shop" paddle, with fiberglass on blades; and Greenland style (made from redwood; very brittle, step on tip and crushed about 2 inches - looking at redoing tips with ash).

Making a paddle is fairly easy; give it a shot! -- Greg

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: I am thinking about whether to make wooden kayak paddles or purchase store
: bought.

: 1) Can someone comment on the performance of wooden paddles (such as the
: plans in "Kayak Shop") vs store bought?

: 2) Where are some good links on the web for building wooden paddles
: (preferably with diagrams)?

: Thanks for any comments or suggestions Bailey--