No doubt I didn't get the best carving done. The last 5-6" of the blades worked out pretty darn flat, and the tapers went towards round quicker than I'd like. Some of that I can fix, since it's about removal, some is I can't, because it's tough to add on. Oh well, at $1.98, it's no big deal. Cutting the main tapers with a handsaw is a bother. Just picked up an antique drawknife. Don't know that it will be any faster, but it will be more satisfying.

I'm 6'1", 185. Boat is an Osprey Standard, so 24" wide by 15'8", and 12" or so a the cockpit. Worked out a 92" length based on a 'standing finger curl'. Works out pretty darn close (90") at armspan + cubit. Squared paddle ends. Started side taper 4" from end, but it got worked to somewhat less than that. Loom is 23 1/2", in part to accomodate boat, in part because that's how it seemed to fall to hand. Loom is rounded front and back, flats abt. 3/4" wide on edge. Blade is 3 1/2" wide, predictably enough.

Have been trying to do the canted stroke, but I don't think I have it right. Certainly not consistent. One pull acts like a flat-bladed 'plonk', another dives towards the bottom, slipping fore and aft as it goes. I can chain some relatively good strokes together, but then my shoulders and wrists start to complain. I believe that's mostly about having the loom a little too large (or perhaps too square) for my hands, and so holding my wrists in a downward cant.

So, there's probably a combination of errors. I'm looking forward to doing the research and testing, and to any advice anyone may have. Thanks.