I have just finised making two Euro style paddles. One with blade shape as in Nick's book and an overall length of 90". The other has 1/2" wider blades and is 87" long (bigger blade, shorter lever.) The shafts are hollow, 1 1/2" dia. WRC with oval hand grips, and the blades are of WRC, ash and walnut strips. I have used a sheet of 4oz glass just on the backs of the blades, a glass bead protection edge, and joined the two halves using a 4" long internal dowel and a wrap of 4oz glass. The weights worked out at 2lb 7oz and 2lb 6oz. they feel fine in the hand to me but I won't get to use them for several weeks yet. Is their weight OK or am I going to find them heavy.