Samuels, Edward A. (Edward Augustus), 1897
page 295
Here's a closeup. It seems that the paddle has what looks like a knot or other blemish on the mid portion of the blade.
Thursday, September 15, 2016
Historic Paddle Photo: With Rod and Gun in New England
Here's another grainy photo from With Rod and Gun in New England and the Maritime Provinces, published in 1897. It features a profile shot of bark canoe with the guide on the far left holding up a paddle.
Email this post
Monday, September 12, 2016
Woodworkers Journal "Northwoods" Paddle template
Missed this last year, but the June 2015 issue of Woodworkers Journal featured a tutorial by Dan Cary entitled, "How to Make a Canoe Paddle - Summer Fun Project".
For the time being, the article still also appears online on their website, albeit under a different title. It showcases a paddle making tutorial at the North House Folk School by instructor, Mike Schelmeske. Along with a detailed photo sequence and a quick YouTube video, the article includes paddle plans for a basic beavertail blade and standard pear shape grip. This might be useful for any readers wanting to embark on their first paddle creation.
The paddle plans are available in *.pdf format and can be downloaded by clicking here
For the time being, the article still also appears online on their website, albeit under a different title. It showcases a paddle making tutorial at the North House Folk School by instructor, Mike Schelmeske. Along with a detailed photo sequence and a quick YouTube video, the article includes paddle plans for a basic beavertail blade and standard pear shape grip. This might be useful for any readers wanting to embark on their first paddle creation.
The paddle plans are available in *.pdf format and can be downloaded by clicking here
Friday, September 9, 2016
Historic Paddle Photo: Island Home of the Penobscots Postcard
Here's an image of a circa 1905 postcard featuring a Penobscot guide confidently standing in his canoe...
paddle closeup
Tuesday, September 6, 2016
Historic Paddle Illustration: Wigwams at Pointe de Levy, Lower Canada
Here are two images of mid-19th century paintings showcasing a Mi'kmaq camp. Looks like the original watercolour painting of
Wigwams at Pointe de Levy, Lower Canada dates to 1836.
Another version with darker colours is attributed to a different artist and dates to a few years later...
Here's a closeup of one of the paddles...
Wigwams at Pointe de Levy, Lower Canada
ca. 1836
Artist: Whitmore, George St. Vincent, 1798-1851.
Credit: W.H. Coverdale Collection of Canadiana
Copyright: Expired.
Another version with darker colours is attributed to a different artist and dates to a few years later...
Encampment of Micmac Indians at Point Levi
ca. 1838-1842
Artist: Chaplin, Millicent Mary, 1790-1858.
Credit: Library and Archives Canada, Acc. No. 1956-62-50
Copyright: Expired
Here's a closeup of one of the paddles...
Thursday, September 1, 2016
Sassafras Tripping Paddle
Multiple canoe related projects have been a distraction from actual paddle making over the last year. A few summers back I obtained a batch of Sassafras stock from fellow paddle maker Craig Johnson. From one of these premium boards, a blank was cut out...
After converting my cherry guide paddle into an heirloom gift from my 2nd son, I've had plans to replicate the original design to serve as a user. This paddle shape with its elongated blade and long tapering grip is one of my favourites for tripping. It is similar in shape to the working paddlings used by the two Maliseet Guides in W.C. Gaynor 's "Diary of a Canoe Trip" (see this previous post).
Photo Source: "Diary of a Canoe Trip" by W.C. Gaynor
Rod and Gun in Canada, Sept 1910 Vol. 12 No.4 p491
Over a few days during a wicked heat wave in the city, the paddle was worked down to have a slight spine on the handle and upper portion of the blade. I leave the shaft area until the end so the shaving horse has a square surface for better clamping.
Here's another shot with the paddle shaft worked down and wetted for a bit of colour contrast and to raise the grain.
One deviation from the original cherry paddle is that the shaft diameter has been reduced down to a 1" circular diameter. Most readings and tutorials for hardwood paddles mention 1 -1/8" diameter as being ideal although a 1" shaft diameter is not unusual, especially for strong flexible woods. The classic plans appearing in the Rick Waters' article "The North Woods Paddle" (Wooden Boat Magazine - Issue #67, November/December 1985) mentions having a 1" thick shaft with these ash paddles.
As for decoration, the preliminary plan is to fully burn the grip using the shou-sugi-ban technique learned from Luke McNair and David Gendron (post here). The blade will be decorated based on the second side on the painted c1849 Penobscot recently on display at the Peabody Museum.
October 2016 Update: Paddle has been decorated and is now complete. Read part 2 of the post here.
A new paddle in the works
After converting my cherry guide paddle into an heirloom gift from my 2nd son, I've had plans to replicate the original design to serve as a user. This paddle shape with its elongated blade and long tapering grip is one of my favourites for tripping. It is similar in shape to the working paddlings used by the two Maliseet Guides in W.C. Gaynor 's "Diary of a Canoe Trip" (see this previous post).
Photo Source: "Diary of a Canoe Trip" by W.C. Gaynor
Rod and Gun in Canada, Sept 1910 Vol. 12 No.4 p491
Over a few days during a wicked heat wave in the city, the paddle was worked down to have a slight spine on the handle and upper portion of the blade. I leave the shaft area until the end so the shaving horse has a square surface for better clamping.
Here's another shot with the paddle shaft worked down and wetted for a bit of colour contrast and to raise the grain.
Ready for a quick sand
One deviation from the original cherry paddle is that the shaft diameter has been reduced down to a 1" circular diameter. Most readings and tutorials for hardwood paddles mention 1 -1/8" diameter as being ideal although a 1" shaft diameter is not unusual, especially for strong flexible woods. The classic plans appearing in the Rick Waters' article "The North Woods Paddle" (Wooden Boat Magazine - Issue #67, November/December 1985) mentions having a 1" thick shaft with these ash paddles.
As for decoration, the preliminary plan is to fully burn the grip using the shou-sugi-ban technique learned from Luke McNair and David Gendron (post here). The blade will be decorated based on the second side on the painted c1849 Penobscot recently on display at the Peabody Museum.
October 2016 Update: Paddle has been decorated and is now complete. Read part 2 of the post here.
