canoe maker

Copper Tipped Antique Paddles

Another post from the Cherry Gallery's current selection...

Great Pair of Blue Canoe Paddles
This is a pair of beaver-tail paddles in a very appealing shade of original blue paint. The handle and lower shaft were left unpainted for comfort of use, and the blades have protective copper bands around the tips.
Circa 1920
7.5" w, 60" h

There was a recent thread on the Wooden Canoe Heritage Association Forums about replicating these copper tip protectors. The general consensus was that the drilling of holes for tacking on the metal protectors was quite damaging to the paddle. But for the history buff that may want to replicate this feature, I suppose it would add a bit of a traditional turn-of-the century feel.