: 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.

I liked a flexy blade, until I broke one. It gives a little snap to the exit. Whether thats any faster I doubt, but I liked the feel of it.

: 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.

#12 is 8' leaf-shaped, and it's too long for me. Not that I dont like the feel of it, I do. But it has too much power, much more euro-feeling than native. And I'm used to the give of the native style. That's why I'm hoping a little shorter will do the trick. But right now I'm re-doing my dust collection, which part of will be a fume hood ofer the RAS table. That turpentine makes a nice thinner, but it gives me a headache. This will hopefully pull it outside. Then I'll fix the paddle.

: 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 like the shoulders for the same reason. The oval shaft does the same thing, only more subtle. The shoulders give a better grip, but the smooth makes extending and sliding easier. The shoulders 'fix' the position, and the oval lets you play with it more. I really cant decide on this one. My tilt comes as much from feel as anything, and to my knowledge I dont maintain it at any given angle. I use more on the sweeps, less on the forwards. Or is it less - and more? I just dont think about it. If it dives too much I have too much tilt. If it cavitates, not enough.

I guess I'll know more after a long day paddling with #12 - I do notice that the shoulders put a strain on the muscles which reach over my wrist to control the #1 finger, and I think this is from the tilt. It was pronounced at first, but now only after a long day. If the oval/smooth is less then I'll probably move in that direction.

One thing for sure - Ive tried some "commercial" native style paddles, and I like mine a lot better. Especially the sharp edges.

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

I kind of doubt I'll ever go euro. I have never developed that technique, I switched to the native before learning to roll, and when I try the euro now it just doesnt do anything for me. I even use my skinny-stick in the surf, which people think I'm nuts for. But I really think the familiarity is safer than the little bit of added acceleration you get from a euro. Besides, I'll never spend $100 on a paddle, much less 2 or 3 hundred. I'd rather spend the money on things I cant build, like drysuits and VHF's.

I'm finding, as I refine the paddles, that I tend to use better and better materials. Weight is more important now than it was, and I intend to duplicate some of the favorites using something to protect the edges. I guess that's because I'm reasonably sure of getting a paddle I like, so am willing to put more effort into asthetics, weight, and durability. I enjoy building them, and I'm sure that has a lot to do with it too. Next I'll fix #12, rebuild the rock, and go from there. I'll probably start playing with colored laminations, I really like the look of Kent Boutillier's work. And steam-bent ash edges are on the "to-try" list. So much to do, so little time...

Life is short guys, get at it!