Steve Kovach Native Inspired Paddles

From a now expired Ebay listing showcasing a hand-carved Tiger Maple paddle...

The seller's listing info...

"This is a one of a kind Hand Carved Algonquin style CANOE PADDLE. I made this using traditional hand tools from a single piece of beautiful figured tiger maple (rock maple). This paddle has stunning sculptural form and brilliant almost iridescent wood grain pattern. This paddle is based on examples of traditional Abanaki, Passamoquoddy, Maliceet paddles (the same native Americans who built the spectacular and technologically advanced birch bark canoes). I have always admired the amazing and beautiful sculptural form in the original native American paddles made from various American hardwoods including Birdseye and tiger maple, Cherry, ash. Many were decorated with incised designs, I prefer the pure shape and highly figured wood.... 

This paddle offered in this auction is 67-3/4"" long, blade is 7-1/4" wide (as thin as 3/16"in places) shaft is 1- 1/4" thick at widest point and weighs approx 2- 1/2 pounds. Signed "SK" (Steve Kovach) with my personal brand on end of grip."

Included in the array of photos was an additional set of some of the other paddles made by the same seller. Nice collection with some lovely grain patterns...

Craig Johnson's Northwoods Paddle

A recent story (Oct 31, 2012) appeared online at AthensOhioToday.com entitled Canoe heirloom brings together three generations. It features paddling friend Craig Johnson who I had the pleasure of meeting back at the Killbear Rendezvous back in 2011. Craig is a fantastic woodworker and has a growing collection of wood canvas canoes. Apart from some of his glorious looking paddles, Craig recently restored his father's Old Town Canoe and took it with his daughter on fantastic backcountry journey through Quetico Provincial Park this summer. Very touching that this cherished heirloom has new life and is being used appropriately!

Included in the online article are some pics of Craig's work including a beautiful Northwoods paddle in action.

 Craig  paddling... 

Craig's Wood Canvas Fleet

Manly Way to Portage a Canoe

Came across this great pic featuring the "tough guy" way to portage a canoe...

Source: http://nipigonmuseumtheblog.blogspot.ca/2011/08/diary-of-mad-fisherman.html

Ebay Late 19th Century Penobscot Paddle

An Ebay posting found today of a Tiger Maple paddle. Seller claims it is late 19th century from the Penobscot Nation in Maine...

Seller's Description:

A beautifully made and gracefully shaped canoe paddle from the Penobscot nation of northern Maine. The wear and color of the lovely surface makes it evident that it is significantly old, most probably late 19th century. There is no damage. It is 56 3/4" long by 4 3/8" wide.

Exquisite Rick Nash Paddle & Display Case

In my opinion, Rick Nash of Woodland Heirlooms is the finest traditional paddle carver around today. His magnificent paddle creations (all featured previously - click here) are just stunning to amateur hobbyists like myself. His latest creation for a client included an equally beautiful display case made from butternut (73" x10") and lined with a dark teal coloured velvet. It was constructed with a special channel in the middle so that the shaft of the paddle fits with pressure.  Feast your eyes on the gorgeous paddle art below...

Paddle & Display Case

Blade Closeup with etched patterns

Pics Courtesy of R Nash - Woodland Heirlooms