: When you first start out making GP's it's alot easier to carve them
: from a single piece and you'll want to try it a few times before
: you get a shape you like. Searching through the piles of
: construction 2x4's to find reasonably clear (doesn't need to be
: perfect) light weight (spruce) ones will give you a cheap way to
: experiment. Once you finally find a shape you like,
: "then" play with nicer wood.

: Bill H.

2x4s are not a reliable source of paddle making wood. They are cut from small diameter trees, prone to knots and deformities and are notorious for twisting and bending out of shape later. When people talk about using 2x4s for anything other than house construction, it always reminds me of a high school friend who built an end table from 2x4s.

It warped so badly only two legs ever touched the floor.

You can find clear more stable wood for paddles and strips in spruce 2x10s and 12s. These are cut from larger diameter trees, are more stable, with long clear sections possible, and are usually stored in dry locations in the lumber yard, because they are more expensive than 2x4s.

Having said that, and having used this wood source, northern white spruce 2x (here in the northeast US) are much heavier than cedar.

I glue up my paddles with epoxy and use lower cost 1x western red cedar stock along with hardwood pin stripes. This allows me to ensure I use only sound wood and the contrasting wood stripes make it easier shape the paddle because they act as guides for paddle width and straightness.

I don't joint glue edges, they get used right off the saw.

Just make certain the annual rings in the wood of the paddle shaft are perpendicular to the blade faces for
stiffness.

Rob