: I have to wonder how much paddler technique has to do with this? I
: mean, with all due respect to Bryan Nystrom, taking it down to
: 1/8" sounds way too thin to me. I make and use lots of
: paddles, take mine down to 1/4" or so. I value a silent
: paddle as much as anybody possibly can, but in addition to
: durability I'm also thinking hand comfort, since all the blade
: is handle on a GP. I do not like the feel of paddles with razor
: edges.

: But maybe I'm just reading it wrong, that everyone's really saying
: to end up with a 1/8" radius, not diameter??

I was thinking the same thing, an 1/8" diameter would seem that it would hurt when grasping the paddle blade.

Mine too are closer to 1/4" diameter (1/8" radius) and are still pretty quiet. I think the end shape and tapering make as much difference in noise as the edge thickness, those with thick squared ends tend to be much more noisy.

Bill H.