: >>But what I'd really like, for

: Don, why not target the "up-market": small numbers, exclusive
: design, maybe custom built to suit buyer.

Id like to get there - but I think moving slowly is the way to go. I have a lot to learn about truss structures/core materials, finishing, and production building. The lamination part is here for me - now it's as much materials and production as anything else.

In my experience, Ive never used a paddle for more than a few months. It's always some tweek or another, so I make another. I feel like I'm getting close to what I think are really nice paddles - for me. That doesnt address everybody, and I'm not sure that offering a custom-built paddle to one who is new to the Greenland style is the way to go. Perhaps it would be best to send them a demo, for two weeks or so, and then have them tell me what they dont like about it. Often that information would be more valuable I think. At least that's what has driven me, from major considerations such as overall length, to subtle ones such as 1" vs 1-1/4" on the loom width, shoulders or no shoulders, and tip shapes. It would be an expensive way to do buisness, but ultimately I think of a custom-built thing as to be suited to the individual's needs and his boat. A subtle change, like 1/8" on the loom dimensions, can make a big difference.

I dont know. Perhaps if I limit the options, so I can have blanks laminated up and ready to carve, it would be the best of both worlds.

If nothing else, this will make for a great presentation at R2K2! I cant wait!

: You might never need to produce large numbers to regain investment, and
: that's where the best ROI would be found.

: I think you could thus put your paddle making experiences and knowledge
: gained thus far to good use, and never need to go more than part-time if
: you prefer not to.

: Since the net is here, catching the customers' eye might not be such a
: problem.

This is one of the reasons I want to go slow - I cant realistically quit work, and there's a lot more to a buisness than just carving paddles. Websites, Taxes, Employees, oh my!

: And you could keep on experimenting and getting better and better designs
: from the ideas the customers wanted you to realize for them (anybody can
: dream up designs, few can make them real, and looking cool).

: risto