Before industrialization, everything was made by hand from native materials. Today, many hand-crafted goods demand high prices and are cherished as works of art. The wooden canoe paddle is an example of a useful tool that has transcended its humble beginnings. Canoe Paddles, A Complete Guide to Making Your Own, by Graham Warren and David Gidmark, will challenge any canoeist, even those with modest woodworking skills, to design and craft a paddle to their own specifications a beautiful and functional work of heirloom quality. Starting with tribal variations of the paddles made by Native Americans, the book traces the history of canoe travel, the ceremonial uses of paddles in primitive cultures, and how paddles were decorated.
Chapters also explain canoe paddle design and function.
There also are tips on custom constructions, like bent shafts and double blades, and the methods of Native Americans, who worked with just an axe and a crooked-blade knife. Book Review Canoe Paddles E-mail this story to a friend. All rights reserved. Any copying, redistribution, or retransmission of any of the contents of this service without the expressed written consent of the Lexington Herald-Leader is prohibited.