Here is how I have made laminated paddles. Really this method can be used to make alot of paddle shapes and styles. I started a bent shaft a couple of times. One failed miserably, the other is a "work in progress"...which means it is not finished, but I have not given up on it...too many pots on the stove. The method I used I got from Gil Gilpatrick's book, Building a Strip Canoe.
Here are three examples:
The blade and core of the paddle are made of 3/4 x 1/4 inch strips of wood. Strips are laid out to the basic shape, epoxied together, then cut to final shape. This one is basswood strips left over after I finished my canoe:
I used ash for the outside of all my paddles for it's high weight to strength ratio. The two outer pieces are about 3/8 inch thick. Cut to shape, and the end where it meets the paddle blade should be shaped before lamination:
I dry fit them, and drill two holes, 1/4 inch, one at the blade end, and one at the handle (or other blade if a double paddle) to allow for a dowel rod to be used to line it all up when epoxied. I used thickened epoxy for all joints. Shaped the rest of the paddle with rasp and spokeshave.
The blades have a single layer of 6 oz cloth on each surface. Do one surface and let it cure with the edges hanging naturally. Flip the blade, and lay a piece of epoxy soaked 1/8" rope along the bottom edge, around the corners and up the sides a little for protection. Once cured, trim the cloth with a razor blade, and glass the second side. trim the glass, apply an extra coat of epoxy if nesessary to fill the weave:
The whole thing is then sealed with spar varnish. For a hunting paddle, you would obviously use a flat marine paint.
Or for a non hunting paddle, you can get fancy in your designs:
This is one I made for my wife before we were married. Basswood and cherry blade. Ash outer lamination.
Chuck
