Performance Canoe Paddles
Honey Island Special II, Cricket
Weight:25 oz.
Shaft: straight
Materials: wood
Price:$245.00
www.cricketdesigns.com (800)243-0586
This was the only straight-shaft paddle in the review, and I loved its traditional appeal and feel. It’s aesthetically beautiful, well balanced, and exquisitely crafted. If you’re a die-hard straight-shaft paddler, you’ll cherish this one. The paddle has nice stroke stability, good control, and the flexibility of wood, along with a large grip that you can move your hand around on to a variety of positions. This is a great cruiser and deep-water choice.
Carbon Bent, Bell
Weight: 13oz.
Shaft: 12-degree bend
Materials: carbon
Price:$165.00
www.bellcanoeworks.com (763)631-2231
Here is another extremely light, all-carbon paddle with a broad, powerful blade surface. Very quiet in the water, it felt like it would be a great racing choice. The grip felt more bulbous than I liked, but the lightweight efficiency of the paddle is compelling.
Bent/Wood, Unadilla Boatworks
Weight:14 oz.
Shaft: 12-degree bend
Materials: wood
Price:$200.00
Unadilla@worldnet.att.net (734)433-1651
This one feels sweet from the moment you pick it up, very light and fine for a wood paddle. With its beautiful balance and heft and lovely stroke
characteristics, it’s the kind of paddle that puts an all-day grin on your face. Although it feels frail, a glass tip and reinforcing layer in the blade make it more durable than you’d expect.
Axel, Kialoa
Weight: 15-17oz.
Shaft: 10-degree bend
Materials: carbon/wood
Price:$209.00
www.kialoa.com (541)923-5355
An all-around design with a slight bend (10 degrees) marries a wood shaft and carbon/wood blade for a powerful and efficient stroke. The T-grip translates to solid control of steering and power strokes. At some paddling speeds, the blade has a tendency to flutter in the water, but the Axel is a versatile choice, especially for open-water paddlers.
Double-Bend Leader, Mitchell
Weight: 19oz.
Shaft: double bend, 8 and 15 degrees
Materials:carbon/wood
Price:$208.00
www.mitchellpaddles.com (603)523-7004
This beautiful paddle feels lovely in the hands and has nice ergonomic efficiency. The carbon blade with slight concavity makes for a very stiff, stable feel in the water with only a slight tendency to flutter at some speeds, and good power characteristics. I liked the palm grip, although I wasn’t sure how the angle on the front of the grip would wear. (Mitchell also makes the similar Blackwood Bent for Velocity.)
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