Making Canoe Paddles in Wood
By Graham Warren
84 pages. 5 3/4 x 8 3/4 inches, paper
59 B&W line drawings, bibliography.
Raven Rock Books, Derbyshire, UK $12.95
ISBN 0-9530352-0-4
Reviewed by Henry "Mac" McCarthy (Wooden Canoe Issue #85)
February 1998
The author covers everything Ñ types of wood, useful tools, types of glue to use. He describes in words and pictures different grip, shaft and blade designs.
Approximately half the book is devoted to paddle construction and techniques and the other half is spent describing eleven different styles of paddles and then furnishing measured drawings to enable the reader to build the style of his choice. I found the system he used for paddle offsets a little difficult to follow, but then I tend to draw something out on a piece of wood and cut away everything that isn't paddle. Sometimes that works great, sometimes it is a disaster. For anyone building their first paddle it is far better to follow a set of accurate drawings and Graham has certainly furnished a wide variety.
I am surprised that be did not include at least one double paddle design in the book. He does, however, devote some space to mentioning my article on the use of the double paddle in Wooden Canoe Issue #56.
Graham goes out of his way to give credit by name to writers and people who have furnished information he used in writing the book. I find this refreshing.
I would recommend this book to anyone thinking of making their own paddle or paddles.
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