How to Make a Canoe Paddle

By John Stultz
Published on July 1, 1984
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To begin construction, use a band or table saw to cut the two boards.
To begin construction, use a band or table saw to cut the two boards.
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This sturdy, beautiful canoe paddle is a joy to use!
This sturdy, beautiful canoe paddle is a joy to use!
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Grip pattern.
Grip pattern.
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Taper the blade's thickness from 7/8-inch at the throat to at least 3/8-inch at the tip of the paddle.
Taper the blade's thickness from 7/8-inch at the throat to at least 3/8-inch at the tip of the paddle.
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Blade pattern.
Blade pattern.
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Draw the patterns on the glued-together wood strips.
Draw the patterns on the glued-together wood strips.
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Shape the grip so that it fits your personal taste and feel.
Shape the grip so that it fits your personal taste and feel.
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Once the completed canoe paddle is sanded and finished, it resembles a work of art.
Once the completed canoe paddle is sanded and finished, it resembles a work of art.

For centuries, the canoe has been an economical, reliable, and swift means of transportation and recreation. Many enthusiasts attribute this long history of service not only to the small boat’s durable design but also to its simple method of propulsion: the canoe paddle.

Not just any paddle, however, will do the job. To generate maximum performance and enjoyment, it must be strong, lightweight, and properly fitted to the individual canoeist. Unfortunately, many mass-produced versions lack the surface area necessary for power. They break under stress, and they aren’t nearly as comfortable to use as a customized paddle that conforms perfectly to an individual’s height and grip.

Lovely and Lightweight

You can solve these problems by making a quality, personalized paddle. For materials, you’ll need only one 1/2″ X 6″ X 72″ board of hardwood (such as oak, ash, walnut, or hickory) and one 1/2″ X 6″ X 72″ board of softwood (such as poplar, redwood, or Sitka spruce–don’t use yellow pine). Almost any lumberyard stocks these woods.

To begin construction, use a band or table saw to cut your two boards into the size strips shown in the Image Gallery chart.

Now, starting with the 1/2″ X 1″ X 72″ strip of hardwood at the center, lay the pieces of wood side by side, alternating hardwood and softwood, and on edge, so that the 1″ width serves as the paddle’s thickness. The three 72″ strips will extend the entire length of the paddle; they’ll become the shaft and form the center of both the blade and the grip. The 30″ strips at the bottom, on either side of the three center strips, will form the rest of the blade, and the 4″ pieces will make up the grip.

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