Alex's paddle...

First I must say a big 'Thank You' to my good friend and computer genius Ross.R. for getting me back on the Web after an imposed absence of a week, with an improved and faster machine...

Earlier in the week a friend asked me if I could make a Canadian paddle for his friends' three year old  son 'Alex'.  

I think Alex likes to try and steal his dad's paddle as they paddle along, so hopefully if he has his own he will be content...

I took the challenge and for my sins John turned up with a plank of pine from a local builders merchant.

I marked out a paddle shape and set about the job with an Axe or two.

I had to be really careful as the Pine was a little nasty and splitty...

In the near future I am going to set about the task of making one or two bespoke paddles for friends of mine. They can test them and give me some feedback, so this was a good opportunity for a practice run... 

I wont be using Pine though !...

I used a variety of Axes during the job and eventually settled for the Roselli...

as its curved shape gave me lots of scope when using it as a hand Axe, cutting the complex curves joining the shaft to the blade....

Well here's the finished paddle.
I hope Alex can help his father propel their canoe on many adventures...

ENJOY...