canoe maker

Apologies to followers of my blog for the lack of posting since August. Our family has had a bit of a rough go health-wise with each of us having some issues but we're now on the mend. I had two outbreaks this summer of painful dyshidrotic eczema (pompholyx) all over my hands and arms. It's been recurring for three summers in a row now whenever the heat and humidity get too much. Couldn't use my hands to even type on a keyboard let alone carve or hold any paddles. Really put a damper on my canoeing plans. Unfortunately had to miss the annual Killbear Paddlers Rendezvous and other paddling events planned in September. Also want to apologize for my inability to respond to the emails some folks have sent me. Between work and other stuff, I'll try to respond soon.

Hope to get some more posts up on this site ASAP too, but in the meantime, check out his post on Dick Persson's great blog about a 1930's J.B. Odette 13 foot trapper restoration.

Not directly related to paddle making, but I'm a sucker for these vintage canoeing pics. These ones are LIFE magazine from a series entitled "1942 Potomac Canoe Trip". Love the second shot - the ladies seem perfectly relaxed.  Think I'll be scrounging around some scrap wood to build an appropriate backrest for my special lady.

Here's a link to a great article on paddle making entitled, "The Art of Making a Splash" recently posted on MetroMode Media. It features fellow paddle maker, Kent Lund of Grand Rapids Paddle Company. Kent's fantastic work has been featured on the blog before and if interested, you can read some of those earlier posts by clicking here.

Can't seem to get enough of the online editions of In the Maine Woods. The 1917 Edition has some great photos of some canoe poling. Here's one from Page 70. Check out the crazy bend on the pole as the Guide works the canoe upstream on the Moose River...


A crazy action shot ascending rapids well beyond my abilities found in the 1910 Edition...

Youtuber North61 recently posted a short video about his hand-made paddle made specifically for use with a freighter canoe. After some work with a froe, drawknife and crooked knife, he ended up with a 7 foot 6 inch push paddle for the grand total of $5.00. Here's a shot video of his work...