: This is separate from the 'oval matching the blade orientation'
: issue, I think.

: When I started kayak paddling (in the 80s,with a feathered blade) I
: was taught to keep a firm grip with the control hand and 'cock
: the wrist' of the control hand to rotate the paddle to orient
: the non-control-side blade. (Recipe for wrist problems, I
: think...)

: Now, I paddle with a 'loose' upper hand, and don't really have a
: 'control hand' any more.

: Some of the paddling technique gurus should jump in here!

Cocking the wrist sounds like a receipt for carpel paddle syndrome! I thought the feathering action came from the rotation of the forearm of the control hand, but to get the correct angle - so the blade did not catch a crab - I had to hold the paddle higher than was comfortable, so I gave up using a feathered paddle. However, if I build a custom paddle I can have the blades at an angle that suits me - it's not set in concrete.