Customer Reviews

Canoe Paddles: A Complete Guide to Making Your Own

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

A fine, clearly written book on paddle making. The author covers wood, tools, paddle types and includes plans for a number of differnt models including a child's paddle. Most require the use of some power tools but if you're stuck in the woods, paddleless with only an axe and a crooked knife you can construct a paddle. No crooked knife in your kit, you say. Instructions for making one are included, although you might need the help of a blacksmith buddy.

This is one of the best wood working books of any kind I have read. Lots of detail and many tips. The paddle building skills mixed with the Native American history of the paddle was very interesting. I can't wait for their next advanced book!

Great Book for making Canoe paddles also on making anything out of wood. I found the easy to read and how much depth it had. You could take a brief look at this book and come
out with enough information to make a good paddle.

I had been eyeing this book for a little longer than a year. Upon receiving it, I was pleasantly surprised by an easy-to-read volume that weaves a bit of history into a discussion of the various aspects of paddle making. You'll find discussions of everything from paddle designs to the characteristics of the various woods that may be used for paddle construction and a review of the kinds of tools you'll need to make a paddle.

If you're looking for an absolute guide that walks you through specific steps to make one of a set number of paddles (e.g., a step-by-step instruction manual to make a specific design), you're looking at the wrong book (though it could be used in that manner). Rather, the authors try to impart the knowledge that will teach you the overall paddle-making process, but then they leave a lot up to you. You can stick to the templates in the book and use them to make a simple one-piece paddle, or you can use them as the starting point for making something that varies (a lot, or a little) from the designs contained therein.

The book contains a lot of useful information about the subtler aspects of paddle making: the balance point, wood selection, wood matching, and many other topics. It also contains a list of contacts for purchasing suitable lumber. [I've not had reason to use any of them, but I'm sure they'll be useful to some.]

I've long had a desire to craft a paddle that is just right for me. This book is the means of my pursuit of that desire. If you've ever wanted something different from those paddles you find on racks at outdoor stores and outfitter shops, and are willing to put in a bit of time to make one, this book is a great place to begin.

TOOLS?
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While the book reviews the kinds of tools you can use, it spends little time providing instruction in how to use them. Rather, it provides tips on how best to to use the tools you choose (e.g. how to establish two square edges if working with a planer, how a plane or spokeshave interacts with the wood grain), and provides some great instruction on making jigs and templates that will make your paddle-making easier. If you are fortunate enough to have a band saw and a belt sander, you'll have some real advantages in your paddle making. However, you can craft a paddle with basic hand tools (e.g., coping saw, combination square, rasps, planers/draw knives/spokeshaves, sandpaper), so don't think you need a garage full of gadgets to get started.

OVERALL
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Even if you never plan to make your own paddle, if you love paddling, you'll find this to be a wonderful book. If you do have an interest in paddle making, this book is a great place to start.

I think this is the best book you can buy if you want to make your own canoe paddles. It covers the full gambit of many paddle designs, (pros and cons), types of wood to use, single wood paddles, lamminate paddles, grain structure of the woods, glues, finishes, tools to use, (depending on how high or low tech you want to be), literally everything. There is a DVD produced by the author that makes a great companion to this book.

If you want to make your own canoe paddles than this is a book you will want to own. Covers many designs and has detailed instructions on how to make them.

This book has a great way of sharing both wood working skills along with a history of paddles. If you want to build your own then this book goes a long way to helping you understand the timbers required and the methods used both historically and current. I recommend it.

Great Book on Paddles, gives history of paddles and how to design and build personalized paddles or use the designs in the book.

This is an excellent, detailed book on making canoe paddles. There is a lot of layout and carving information that a first time paddle maker would not have thought of.
It would be helpful if the chapters were numbered to match the table of contents, but that's a minor quibble. If you want to begin making a paddle of your own, buy this book.

Have now received book "Canoe paddles"Everything seems to be fibre glass or plastic down here, it is a "Breath of fresh air" to see so many paddles in their original form, WOOD.Cannot wait to get started.