: How much money are we talking about here? Forgive my ignorance, but I haven't
: started shopping for a paddle yet.

James, Werners and Lightnings glass paddles are about $225. Lightnings are made with s-glass in the blades. The Whetstones are carbon/glass shaft, carbon/s-glass blades for $185. A comparable carbon blade by Werner or Lightning is around $340. I still think Lightnings are worth the money. Whetstone must be trying to jump into the market with those prices because I can't imagine they've managed to do something the other manufacturers haven't.