why choose us
a master craftsman & canoeist who hand carves every paddle...
Bruce with the next paddle blank
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Using the rasp for shaping
Sanding... then applying finish.. and more sanding with steel wool
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Bruce is one of a rare breed of paddle makers who truly carves every single paddle by hand, start to finish.
Most canoe paddles on the market today are produced using copy lathes or CNC machines, with only the finishing applied "by hand" (if at all).
Not so with Bruce.
With fifty years of experience, he has become a master at the art of individually carving paddles.
This individualized carving allows him to accommodate the innate features of each piece of wood, which always vary, piece by piece, even within the same species.
The end result is not only a unique, one-of-a-kind creation but also a paddle of superior performance.
And of course, Bruce is an experienced master level canoeist.
Because of his many years of paddling and tripping, he knows what characteristics are needed to make a paddle perform superbly in various settings.
It's this blend of experience that makes Bruce unique:
the intimate knowledge of canoeing...
as well as an artist's skill in working with wood.
It's this blend that you receive when you "choose us".
custom design and special orders
Custom wood burning of initials and date
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Modified Ottertail; blade widened & narrowed as requested
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And Bruce specializes in providing you with paddles that meet your individual needs.
We offer a number of blade designs to choose from... and can also modify them if you wish.
We can recommend an appropriate paddle based on Bruce's years of experience.
Bruce will either find something in his existing inventory of custom paddles, or carve a new order.
He collaborates with you to incorporate your custom features, yet ensures that the paddle is still well-balanced and functional.
To personalize a paddle, further simple, rustic wood burning of initials, names, dates or simple phrases and graphics can be done. (He's a man of many talents...)
unique grip
Traditional Grip
with Bruce's Secondary Grip below
Bruce’s paddles are designed with a unique secondary grip below the main grip which he introduced in 1978 as his established trademark.
This feature has always distinguished Bruce's paddles from all others on the market.
It was inspired by historical paddles that were no longer in use.
This feature was a favourite of canoe instructors early on, who found it very useful in one handed manoeuvres. They called it the "running pry grip".
The running pry and standing pry have always been among the most difficult strokes to master in freestyle or solo paddling.
This feature has always distinguished Bruce's paddles from all others on the market.
It was inspired by historical paddles that were no longer in use.
This feature was a favourite of canoe instructors early on, who found it very useful in one handed manoeuvres. They called it the "running pry grip".
The running pry and standing pry have always been among the most difficult strokes to master in freestyle or solo paddling.
finest materials and workmanship
Picking a paddle from his beautiful selection of figured black cherry, walnut and maples
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Smoothly finished to bring out an array of colours and grains
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Bruce selects only the finest wood for his paddles with the highest grading standard.
This yields striking and beautiful grain patterns and still provides great resistance to splitting at the tip.
We've considered having paintings done on our paddles in the past - and decided against it.
Because we use such beautiful woods, the grain and colouring create natural "artwork" on the paddle, which we love.
Bruce's paddles are also sanded and oiled to the smoothest of finishes.
featured in The Globe and Mail, 2009
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Experienced canoe instructors have referred to Bruce’s paddles as
“paddles with life!”
We invite you to try them... and see if you agree.