Table of Contents
Introduction
Make your own paddles! Chapter One
Diversity: Evolution of the canoe paddle
Prehistoric paddles
The evolution of North American paddles
Tribal variation and adaptation
Fur trade (voyageur) paddles
Identifying native North American single-blade paddles
Paddles from other cultures
Chapter Two
Design: The inner workings of a canoe paddle
Grips
Shaft
Blade
Flexibility
Weight
Balance
Chapter Three
Woods and Adhesives: A guide to choosing your materials
Grain direction
Choice of species
Adhesives
Chapter Four
Tools: Select your level of technology
Tools for marking out
Clamps and holding things steady
Tools for carving
Tools for finishing
Power tools
Homemade tools and jigs
Chapter Five
Paddle making Basics: Making a single-blade paddle
Preparing a one-piece blank
Making a laminated blank
Bandsaw and thickness planer
Laminating checklist
Marking out
Designing your own blade
Cutting out the blank
Adding carving guidelines
Making flexible templates
The keys to paddlemaking
Carving a single-blade paddle
Using a spokeshave
Critical sighting points
Chapter Six
Adding Power: The bent-shaft paddle
Chapter Seven
Twinning Up: Double-blade paddles
Chapter Eight
When Wood Meets Water: Oil or varnish protection for your paddle
Varnish
Oil
Looking Good: Decorating your paddle
Chapter Nine
Care and Repair: Welcome to the real world
Care
Repair
Performances Characteristics
Chapter Ten
Origins: Paddlemaking in the native tradition
Text and Photos © David Gidmark
Paddle woods
Making a paddle
The crooked knife
Chapter Eleven
Paddle Plans
Key paddle dimensions
Traditional beavertail
Ottertail
Voyageur
Algonquin
Sugar Island
Whitewater paddle
Sugar Islet- bent-shaft paddle
Double-blade paddle
Child's beavertail
Paddles for children
Patterns for grip templates
Scalloped guide grip
Tip and throat templates
Glossary
Resources
Suppliers of Materials
Further Information