: YES! Several of his replicas had a more oval shaft, and were stiffer than
: anything I had done before. I like those changes.

Stiff is what I prefer,too. Seems like no effort is lost with a stiff one. Still, many like the "kick-back" of a flexy shaft.

: shapes and sizes, long skinny ones and short fat ones. Another one he had
: that I liked was a leaf-shaped blade, and I like that too. It seems to
: have a nicer entry. That's the current #12, and when I get the length
: right I'll use it some more and let you know.

Derek Hutchinson seems to have become a "leaf-shape fan" lately, too. But he likes them long, at 8 feet. It'll be interesting to hear what length you'll end up preferring. I'll probably have to make a leaf-shaped one eventually, its different enough to be included in the paddle farm.

:And, I'm playing with
: shoulders vs smooth transitions. I like them both, and cant decide which
: better.

With shoulders, and without; do you find the tilt comes as naturally, or is there a difference such as more attention required? I used the shoulders purposefully to fix the tilt, fitting them to my hands and the angle so that it is all now sort of "fixed". You probably have more free play and alternatives?

: I did try a narrower one, and it flutters worse. That could be the
: cross-section, but I have a hunch not. It's shown in the picture on this
: thread. 3-1/2" seems 'bout right' for me. Wider, and it's a little
: too much beef. But this #12 is a hair wider, and it is looking good...
: Narrower, and it flutters.

Yep, Greg Stamer told how the greenlanders too were real individual as it came to width: all sorts were preferred by at least a few people!

: But of course, if you ask me again next year,
: I'll reserve the right to have changed that tune.

That's my credo as well, exactly!

:Harvey seemed to
: indicate that the narrow-long combo is easier on the joints. His were
: thicker-bladed than mine, it'll take a few more experiments along this
: line.

Hmmm.... that looks like there's gonna be at least another dozen on the horizon, by then you may well be back using euros