: I've got a wood two piece paddle with brass ferrules that connect the two
: halves. It's a slip fit, and I find that after a while the feathering
: angle between the two halves shifts on me. I'm looking for a brass or
: stainless spring loaded ferrule. Any sources?

Why not conver the one you have. All you need is the spring and then dril a couple of holes to fit the thing in. Folbot offers the springs at 2 for $6 on their website.

Assemble your paddle in the usual way, aligning the blades to give you whatever feathering you want. Without moving the blade alignment, drill a hole in the ferrule about 3/8 to 1/2 inch from end of the inner piece. You will want this to be the same diameter as the button on hese springs. drill the hole deep enough that you get to the center of the wood that is in the inner ferrule, or you can go a bit past that.

You may have to line up the ferruled ends and mark the outer piece with a piece of tape, or a permanent marker, to show how far in the inner ferrule extends when the paddle is assembled.

Now take apart the paddle and drill into the end of the half that has the inner ferrule. This hole should be at least as deep as the length of the spring plus 1/2 inch.

With a chisel remove the wood between the center hole and the hole that goes thorugh the ferrule. This will give you room for the button to come completely inside the ferrule when you want the connect or disconnect the paddle.

A slot which can be cut into the wood inside that ferrule ( use the same chisel, or use a saber saw blade held in a vise grip pliers for this minor cut) on the other side of the center hole from the button hole will give more room for the spring, if needed.

Push the spring and button into the end of the inner ferrule and away you go.

hope this helps

PGJ