: Hey folks, quick question - I'm in AK, and the lumber I got locally
: is white spruce with plenty of knots in it. "We don't have
: clear lumber", the guy said. SO. Do I have to cut out and
: scarf at every knot? Or are ones on the edges more ok, are small
: ones ok, anything like that? I feel like if I cut them all out,
: losing 8-10 inches each time, I'll have about 4 feet left of 16.
: They are 1x3 at this point. Help?

: Should I just get new lumber from the big national corporation?

: This is my first kayak and wood project. Just trying to figure
: stuff out, and I've just got hand tools. Thanks!

"We don't have clear lumber in Ak" That is a bucket of "do-do". In Anchorage when last there I nosed around the lumber yards and found the most beautiful lumber I have ever seen (WRC or any other stripping lumber Clear and long lengths).
You are talking to the wrong people. or you are not doing your homework.....
Don't phone the yards - Go and see yourself. There is plenty of beautiful stuff available.