Subject: Re: [baidarka] Greenland Paddle
From: Greg Stamer (gstamer@hotmail.com)
Date: Mon Jan 28 2002 - 16:08:34 EST
At 06:59 AM 1/28/2002 -0800, Flemming Sorvin wrote:
>>>So how come no one here is mentioning what the Greenlanders do? Tip your
>>>paddle and line the edges with bone, or a synthetic substitute like UHMW
>>>polyethylene? That way you have a strong "bump-resistant" edge and can
>>>finish your paddle with whatever you want to get the durability and
>>>gripability you desire.<<<
Many of the Greenlanders don't apply a finish at all. A number of paddles
that are not used around ice do not have any bone armor. That said, I would
like to experiment more with tipped and edged paddles as you suggest. I have
heard claims that the weight at the extreme ends of the blades has certain
benefits, such as improved balance and that it "smooths the stroke".
I read recently that some arctic peoples used sharkskin to smooth their
paddles. I will try to find the source. Some of the paddles that I saw in
Greenland still had tool marks on them, and were not sanded smooth.
Regarding finish, sealskin tuiliqs (full kayak jackets) and sealskin mittens
are still very popular in Greenland (for an image see
http://www.qajaqusa.org/temp/001_edit5.jpg). This material is rubbed with
seal fat to keep it waterproof. There is little doubt that this oil would be
transferred to the paddle, during use. Perhaps this is what Scavenius Jensen
refers to in "Den Gronlansdke Kajak Og Dens Redskaber (The Greenlandic kayak
and its implements) when he writes: "The paddle acquires a certain patina on
its surface after having been used in water". As to bone fittings he writes:
"some paddles, especially those made more recently, have no bone protection
whatsoever. This is due partly to a lack of bone material and perhaps also
partly to the limited use of kayaks during the winter, and finally it may be
viewed as the onset of cultural decline".
Greg Stamer
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