: Good looking paddle, but I am not following how you made it. You say the
: shaft is hollow? How did attach the blades then?

: I have been tossing this idea around for a while. But not had a great idea
: for installing the blades.

Search the archives for "paddle" and "birdsmouth", or "birds mouth" I think that should bring up a series of posts from people who make hollow-shafted paddles.

They start with 1/4 inch cedar strips, and cut a "V" notch at an angle (about 45 degrees) in one edge. The square edge of an adjacent strip fits into this, giving tow long gluing surfaces. In a cross-section view the square-edged strip appears to be caught in the open beak of a bird, giving rise to the name.

Since the shaft is made from several strips, you can use scarfed strips and stagger the joints without sacrificing strength. joining many short pieces of wood could give a very decorative effect.

Hope this helps

PGJ