: I am about to make a paddle as described in Nick's book, but I was
: wondering(trouble!), commercial paddles have a type of collar in the
: middle that allows the user to change the relationship of the blades. It
: can be feathered at different angles. Is this locking mechanism available
: commercially?

Yessir. Two that I am immediately aware of, you might find additional sources:

http://www.clcboats.com/paddles.php3?cart_id=CREATE

http://www.newfound.com/kayakacc.htm#FerruleCarbon

Scroll down the pages 'til you find 'em.

Cheers,
Kurt Maurer