a word about wood from Bruce
the woods I use...
black cherry is the most popular choice of wood for a canoe paddle, especially for serious canoeists and trippers. It's fairly strong, yet light, very resistant to splitting, and flexible. It has amazing grain patterns, attractive, unique little flaws and red colours that deepen into rich shades over time. Black Cherry stands up well against rot and moisture damage. Also an excellent choice for cedar canoe gunwales, seats & thwarts.
Black Cherry Tripper Blade
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3 Black Cherry paddles L to R:
Tripper; 2 Bruce Smith Classics
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black walnut is also a favourite because of its uniqueness, dark colour, and interesting grain. It is not as flexible as Black Cherry and therefore not as suitable for rigourous canoe tripping. However it makes a beautiful paddle and is a popular choice for the recreational canoeist.
Black Walnut Bruce Smith Classic
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Black Walnut Ottertail Blade
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maple and ash make very tough, durable paddles. These are heavier woods so I carve these paddles a little thinner to try to compensate. Although these paddles will still last many years, they must be maintained and cared for properly as they are slightly more prone to water damage on the blade and tip over time than cherry or walnut.
Maple Bruce Smith Classic with Black Walnut lamination on shaft
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White Ash Tripper
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European Larch Modified Ottertail
One of my favourite paddles of all time was made
from a northern tamarack tree or larch that came from the woods around Atikokan, Ontario. It was strong and very unique. It frayed a bit around the throat from normal paddling friction so I had to varnish it regularly. It was strong, flexible and dynamic in the water. I am using european larch now (which is grown in North America,
despite its name) when I can find it clear.
specialty woods
Butternut Ottertails;
L- Black Walnut on shaft
butternut is very light weight and has
nice grain as well. It is becoming very
rare because of a disease that is killing
the trees. I have a Butternut paddle and
I love it for certain light-use situations…
not tripping though. I often like to
laminate a stronger species like cherry,
maple or walnut on to the shaft to give it
extra strength.
bird's eye maple makes a fine paddle and is one of the most unique paddles you can buy. Again, it's usually a little heavier than Black Cherry but so striking that people don't mind the trade-off. The wood is also rare, so this is reflected in the paddle price. curly maple & tiger maple are other specialty maples. I like the cuts near the maple heartwood; they can have artistic brown and greenish streaks.
Bruce Smith Classic Blade; Bird's Eye Maple
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Extreme Bird's Eye Maple
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Ottertail Blades: L Bird's Eye Maple;
R Tiger Maple with Heartwood
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We come across pieces in all woods where the grain has quite a bit of figure, is curly or wavy, or has unusual blonde or dark streaks. This also puts them in the Specialty Woods category.
Black Walnut with Blonde Streaks; Modified Ottertail Blade
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Black Cherry with Figure; Solo Ottertail Blade
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shaft laminations
shaft laminations are recommended primarily for recreational paddles. They are available in almost any combination of woods. black walnut, black cherry and bird's eye maple create some favourite colour contrasts. I use the highest quality waterproof urethane glue to add these laminations, but regular maintenance is recommended.
Variety of Paddles with Shaft Laminations
Bird's Eye Maple with Black Walnut on shaft; Bruce Smith Classic
Black Cherry with Black Walnut on shaft; Bruce Smith Classic
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Tiger Maple with Black Walnut on shaft; Passamaquoddy
Black Cherry with Bird's Eye Maple on shaft; Modified Ottertail
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