Canoe with a View : : Canadian Open Canoe forum

My paddle collection is now looking a little tired, Graeme @ YC is repairing my favourite one with a glass wrap on the shaft. My Whiskey Jack has been sold awaiting my new Grey Owl bent shaft replacement so I am left with my old Red Tail sugar island 'shovel' the red bladed Red Tail and the Grey Owl Chieftain. Both Red Tails are looking more than a little tired so it is time to put a bit of life back into them.




First up is the shovel. This is a varnished paddle but has suffered a little in its life being my river and shallow water paddle.

First the logo was removed and a full sanding starting with course then medium and fine sand paper. A little reshaping was done to round off the square sections, mainly due to the wood being worn and flaky. The handle also received attention, thinning down the area where the handle meets shaft as this is quite a large grip and a little uncomfortable.
After sanding the paddle is wiped down with meths to clean, after drying the first of 6 coats of varnish applied. Varnish has been chosen for this one over oiling as it is my GP and shallow water paddle so will receive a bit of abuse so the toughness afforded by varnish is necessary.



I will post more when the next steps are complete.

I understand another member is also going through a paddle refurb at this time

(16-05-09 08:53 PM)LAS247 Wrote: [ -> ]I understand another member is also going through a paddle refurb at this time

Yes its going very well thank you

you guys obviously move in different paddle circles! I never refurb my blades... adds to the stories.

I would make good any major damage i.e. when my Blackwood blade delaminated through 10years of use I re- epoxied it.

Matt my excuse is I had damage
Well go on then my cheap redtail had split up the blade by about 3 inch so dried it out then epoxyed the split.
Then decided to do go the whole hog but create some thing a little different, and more akin to a true deepwater blade.
First thing I did was strip the paint and varnish of by sanding .
After that I reshaped it by dropping the shoulders, narrowing the blade and otterising the tip I am pretty pleased with the shape next was the finish as you know I like things to be a break from the norm so I went for a distressed look whilst still honouring C-waV and the original red blade call it *patina* for paddles the repair adds to this it looks like the paddle could tell a story. (*Patina* is big in the VW scene where they make a vehicle look intentionally distressed but it is really in good condition :cool
So I went for a dark stain that gave the impression that it was very old and had been used for years but masked the original C-wav logo and a red border that was feathered into the dark stain to give it an old sign written feel.
Its only had one coat of thinned varnish so far there's still a long way to go I will cut it back then re varnish at least another 3 times to achieve a deep lustre.
Anyway hers the pics so far.

Sanded repaired and re shaped.













When its completely finished I will post a pic of it.

what with you guys refurbing your blades and John's post on making his Northwoods, I believe I am going to have to pick up some wood and start making again... It's been nearly 5 years since I last made me a paddle.

They all look good.

(17-05-09 09:14 AM)mattT Wrote: [ -> ]what with you guys refurbing your blades and John's post on making his Northwoods, I believe I am going to have to pick up some wood and start making again... It's been nearly 5 years since I last made me a paddle.

They all look good.

Go for it Matt, when and if you do don't forget to show us I really don't think I have the patience for paddle making, sanding mine down was bad enough but I never tire of reading about others endeavours.

Right of to rub a coat of varnish down and apply another.

Retro, I sanded down an old grey owl guide, and it was an awful, very time consuming job. It doesn't take that much longer to make one from scratch.

(18-05-09 11:47 AM)saarlak Wrote: [ -> ]Retro, I sanded down an old grey owl guide, and it was an awful, very time consuming job. It doesn't take that much longer to make one from scratch.

I may give it a go with a bit of pine to see if I have the skills and the patience to do it I suppose with a soft wood you can't go as thin

I have just given my red tail its third coat of thinned varnish and its really starting to shine.

i was about to object tot his post then i read with my failing eyesight,
old paddles, not old paddlers

Thats the next thread Pops, besides you're more like fine old furniture;

Small antique chest, heavily distressed and weathered finish, annoying creaks and groans, queen anne legs with claw feet,

(18-05-09 08:02 PM)LAS247 Wrote: [ -> ]Thats the next thread Pops, besides you're more like fine old furniture;

Small antique chest, heavily distressed and weathered finish, annoying creaks and groans, queen anne legs with claw feet,

so you would be MFI bolt together, goes soft when damp-wont last long if you give it some stick?

(18-05-09 08:54 PM)andym Wrote: [ -> ]

(18-05-09 08:02 PM)LAS247 Wrote: [ -> ]Thats the next thread Pops, besides you're more like fine old furniture;

Small antique chest, heavily distressed and weathered finish, annoying creaks and groans, queen anne legs with claw feet,

so you would be MFI bolt together, goes soft when damp-wont last long if you give it some stick?

LMAO very funny boys

Have just finished my paddle five coats of varnish now on and have just applied an epoxy resin tip.
Will post a pic tomorrow.

The finished article its not perfect but I am quite pleased with it

That's fine looking 'old' paddle - looks like it has a few stories to tell. Given to you by that old injun Big Chief CWaV (Canoes-with-a-view), perhaps.

The stain has worked quite well - do you know what timber the paddle is made from?



Biff