: I've built a few out of cedar and my problem is that they get so dinged up by
: bridging on a rock or something getting in the kayak.Maybe I have to learn
: a better balancing act to deserve a cedar paddle.

Jay,

Yes, I agree that cedar does crush/bruise easily. I use my pine paddle when kayaking in rocky areas or around oyster shells and treat my cedar paddles like they are made of balsa. I found it interesting that at the training camp in Greenland, for getting in/out of the kayak, we were told to extend the paddle toward the water, rather than bridging the paddle on shore. Although the Greenlanders do this because the shore can be steep, this works well with a cedar paddle because of its buoyancy, but only if your kayak has very low, flat decks (the paddle must be fairly horizontal on the water for support). If your kayak design permits this technique it will help keep your paddle from getting dinged before its time. At least with oil finishes, many of the dings will swell and somewhat "heal" themselves (strange but true!)

Cedar does get "work hardened" somewhat from oiling and rubbing with steel wool and I have experimented with "burnishing" the surface with a smooth metal rod, with mixed results. I have even heard of one person "flame hardening" the surface but have never heard of any details. Before I try that, I would probably just pick a different wood!

Greg Stamer