Sunday 31 October 2010

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.

jon mac spoon carver

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

jon mac spoon carver

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 !...

jon mac spoon carver

jon mac spoon carver

jon mac spoon carver

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

jon mac spoon carver

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....

jon mac spoon carver

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

ENJOY...










9 comments:

  1. Hi Altaf...Great to hear from you. Drop me a line and let me know how things are going...All the best...J

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  2. Many many thanks Jon from me Nev and ofcourse Alex
    John Radoux

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  3. Hi John Hi Leigh...No problem...J

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  4. Great blog! The photos are amazing!
    - Survival Metrics.com

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  5. Glad you could pop in S.Metrics...All the best...J

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  6. If you can get your hands on an ash board your paddle will be much easier and sturdier when finished.

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  7. Hi Ron. Great advice. I used this plank of pine as it was a 'Hobsons choice' I recently planked up a bit of Sycamore, unfortunately it was a little old and lifeless. I will source a nice piece of green Sycamore as soon as possible and plank it up and have another go...All the best and thanks for passing by...Jon Mac

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