: I've cracked my favorite paddle. It is the first paddle that I made, a
: greenland style. I kept trimming it down, thinner and thinner. I got it as
: light as a carbon fiber paddle, I haven't weighed it, just comared it to
: other paddles.

: I was wondering if it would be worth trying to fix. It is made from laminated
: red cedar (3 pieces). It has 3 1" long cracks about 1/4" apart,
: accross the center lamination of the blade, about a foot from the loom.
: I'm thinking of glassing the blades, I would sand them thoroughly and
: clean it with a strong solvent. I used linseed oil, turpentine, and
: kerosene to lightly coat it, but that was some time ago.

: Would I be able to get it cleaned up enough for glassing? Would the glass
: strengthen it enough?

: I do plan on making another just like it, but not as thin. This one would
: become a spare, as I like the feel of raw wood, not fiberglass or epoxy,
: on my paddle. Or should I just hang it on the wall?

: Mike

Hi Mike:

sorry to hear of your paddle loss. I was just looking at red cedar 2x4s this weekend.

anyways, if you want an actual measured weight (by me) on a two piece 220 length whetstone paddle, check for a posting of mine from a few months ago.

good luck with the new paddle.

pete czerpak
albany, NY