Subject: Re: [baidarka] Redwood Paddles
From: Peter Chopelas (pac@premier1.net)
Date: Fri Jul 02 2004 - 20:55:44 EDT
> I can't find any yellow cedar in town, and the rest of the cedar is pretty
> spendy. Is redwood a suitable paddle material?
Any wood with reasonably clear and strait grain would work, some are heavier
than others, and some are harder to work. But almos anything will work. I
have used western hemlock, Doug fir (heavy but strong), red cedar (light but
edges damage easily, even so it is my favorite). I have also laminated
hollow shafts and blades with doug fir and red cedar, very strong and light
(only 19 oz).
Redwood has a very high strength to weight ratio and it is very rot
resistant. The one disadvantave it is rather stiff and brittle (so do not
allow any section to be too thin). If you can find a piece with fairly
close/small grain size it should make a fine paddle, thought the tips and
edges may get a little beat up (this is also true of low density cedar). I
would use red wood if I could find it around here.
Peter
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