I’m looking to buy a new paddle and would like to get something of real quality which at the same time is the best for the job.

I have been paddling for 50 years and while I’m no Bill Mason, my skills are adequate to my needs. I’ll be using this paddle for tandem canoeing, mostly on lengthy wilderness trips, on flat water (lakes and slow moving rivers – this will not be a stick for white water.) I paddle a Bell Northstar (stern) mostly sitting (though when the wind comes up I tend to shift to the kneeling position.) I’m definitely old school and continue to use and prefer a straight shaft. I am most comfortable with the Canadian stroke. I’m not a big guy, around 5’ 6” but I’m a strong paddler. I want something light that I can paddle for hours at a time but that will still move the boat in a stiff wind. My current favourite is a beautiful wood paddle with a kind of modified beaver tail (based on a design of Omer Stringer’s, I’m told.) I love it when the water is calm but it doesn’t really have enough backbone for windy conditions. 

There are a number of paddles that I have been considering and I’d be appreciative if anyone out there that has used one of these blades (and especially if you have used more than one) would care to comment or offer any insights that would help me in my selection.

The Cricket Honey Island Small.   (You need to Login or Register
This really looks like the perfect paddle for me. My only concern is that it would be too delicate for wilderness tripping. I am careful with my paddles but at the same time I don’t want to be feeling that I have to baby it. I would certainly like to hear from anyone who owns or has used one of these.

I am also considering the Mitchell Surreal   (You need to Login or Register
This looks like a pretty cool stick. Again my concern would be for durability. I have also heard some rather mixed reviews about this paddle – that it doesn’t move that well through the water and that it is a bit clunky (though it certainly doesn’t look it.)

The Bending Branches Sunburst ST looks pretty interesting as well   (You need to Login or Register ... unburst-st
The carbon shaft could be a good idea or it might be eccentricity for eccentricity's sake.

All of the above mentioned paddles are wood or wood and composite.  I’ve been a traditionalist most of my paddling career but a few years ago I caved and bought a Kevlar/carbon canoe and I’ll never go back.  So maybe it’s time to try a carbon fiber canoe paddle.  I’ve been looking at the Zeveral Z Medium with a straight shaft.   (You need to Login or Register This would be a radical shift for me but at 10 oz, I could paddle all day and be fresh as a daisy.  I realize that these paddles were designed primarily as bent shafts for high cadence stroke and switch paddling.  Has anyone used one of these as a straight shaft model?  How does it paddle using a traditional Canadian stroke?

All of these paddles have a shorter and wider blade than what I currently use that will best suit my current needs. Unfortunately none of these paddles seem to be available in the Toronto area, certainly not the Cricket or a straight shafted Zaveral so I’m not able to bop down to my local MEC and try onet out. Before I drive long distances to try one of these paddles I’d like to get whatever feedback I can. Also if you feel I’m overlooking a paddle that might fill the bill I’d like to hear about it. I have tried the Whiskey Jack Straight which MEC does carry but was underwhelmed.

Thanks for listening. I appreciate any suggestions or comments you may have.

Kerry

Kerry,
I like my Sawyer Ottertail traditional paddle, I am currently looking for a Ottertail in a shorter model then what I have.  I have contacted Sanborn Paddle Company of Winona, MN to make me one in my size and style.  I also have a bent shaft Carbon paddle.  I like the straight shaft in wood and bent shaft traditional.  They can custom make you a paddle for sure.  Those Zav paddles rock also.  I also own a NorthStar and love it and my Solo RockStar.
SunCatcher :D

as part of my ongoing "lightening up my load process", I was looking at paddles this year, trying to drop a few ounces...

I have a Bending Branches Sun Shadow Straight that I like, and so was looking at the BB Sunburst - very similar, but about 4 ounces lighter per the specified weight (BB weights are apparently for the shortest length of the padle, not average length - spec weight of the Sun Shadow is 19 oz - my 58" actually weighs 21.8 oz.).  Piragis was having a sale on blems, and it was tempting.  But I decided that if I was going to spend a fair chunk of change for a lighter paddle, I might as well do better than just 4 ounces lighter and looked at the Zav paddles and some others including Wenonahs carbon paddles.  Went with the Zav Z medium with an 8.25" wide blade and straight shaft option - checking the box for factory second offset the added charge for straight shaft, and I can't find any blemish on the paddle.  My brother used it for our Quetico trip this year, coincidentally in the stern of my Northstar, and really liked it - we don't hit n' switch, just normal forward stroke and J in the stern.

I have only used it a couple of times so far at the local lake in my solo boat - I usually try to do 2 or 3 laps around the shoreline, and use my Sun Shadow for the first lap and the Zav for the second lap, where the UL weight makes for a refreshing change.  I use a "C" in my solo lake boats, and I don't think there was much difference other than the weight between the two paddles performance - the BB has a larger blade, and that was noticeable when I changed to the Zav, but it(zav) had plenty enough blade to fight the wind.  IT was nice and stiff as well.  In short, I liked it a lot more than I thought I would, and would recommend one.  My brother isn't particularly gentle with the paddle and used to to push off a few times, and I've hit a couple of rocks when using it - no problem so far.

no experience with any of the other makers you mentioned

Two paddles I can comment on,
I own and use a Mitchell Surreal for rec paddling locally, and like it. One guy I tripped with used his on our arctic river trips, with a backup paddle for the whitewater sections. But yes it's pretty light and thin in the blade. I talked to Mitchell/owner and he offered to lay one up a bit heavier if I liked. So you can contact them and ask.

I haven't used any Zav straight shaft paddles. I was a dealer for a bit when our club wanted a bulk rate on paddles, and have used many of his bend shaft models. It's like M-M says. Another very light well made paddle. I would only add that Zav's are 3 separate components, handle, shaft, and blade. A heat gun will loosen the epoxy, and you can replace any part if it breaks.

I wouldn't say either was tougher than the other and should be abused. But they're not as delicate as you might think either. That said, bring a spare if you're soloing.

Too many people miss the joy of paddling by only focusing on the quality of their boat and not the paddle too. I think you'll like tripping with either paddle. IMO, thinner blades give you a tighter feel of the water and help you learn finer nuances to your paddling and boat control.

For twenty years I've tripped with a beautiful Gilliespe Quetico (a lightweight bent, crafted from wood). Recently acquired a zav power surge light. 8.5oz of heaven. Initially the smaller blade surface and the ridiculous weight made it feel like a toy, but on the water it sings. Second JJ Solo's comment on the thin blade- feedback from my strokes is immediate- it's made me aware of inefficiencies  in my stroke (trying hard to correct- making progress) and has provided noticeable relief to a damaged shoulder. I love the look and feel of my Gilliespe, but it will be sitting out the next trip.

For the record I paddle solo for the most part and hit and switch.

I vote carbon

Thanks for all your input - very, very helpful.  I especially appreciate your report MM since it sounds like you use your Zav pretty much as I will be.  And I agree, if I want to save weight on a paddle and plan to spend $200+ anyway, why shave a mere 3 or 4 ounzes when, with the Zav, I can shave close to a pound.  That's a lot of weight over an 8 to 10 hour paddle day!  One question, MM.  You mentioned noticing the difference in the blade width between your Bending Branches and the Zav.  If you were to do it again would you consider adding an extra .25 or .5 inches to the blade width or does the standard 8.25" seem about right?
Thanks again folks, much appreciated.
Kerry

Kerry,

the 8-1/4 seems about right to me.  If I were to order another ZRE, I'd stay with that width.  It seemed that I had plenty of power if needed, but still easy to paddle.

I used an 8" wide Aquabound paddle yesterday and I did notice a slight lack of power.  I had been using an 8 1/2" x 21 1/4" bladed Werner Rec paddle for a couple of hours or so, at a fast cruise pace getting a workout and trying to get to the takeout before the afternoon winds kicked in, and then switched to the lighter AQ Odessey for the last 1/2 hour of paddling at a more relaxed pace, but with a higher cadence when the wind was blowing upstream - 15 miles for Sunday.  Based on that, I think an 8" blade width would be just a bit too small, at least for my preference.  Yet with the 8 1/4"  Zav, I didn't feel that way. 

Hard to say/guess how much difference an extra 1/4" of width would make?

My family and Me included have raced canoes for over a decade, and when in comes to paddles there are two options that will make your long journeys heaven. Levas or Zav. you can buy the lightest possible model and unless your pounding rocks in strong current they arent gonna break. for deep water paddling that isnt a concern. Lavas is canadian made and hard to get ahold of..(made in a basement somewheres in Quebec) Zav is much easier to find. only difference in my opinion is grip style. Levas is slightly bigger. I hope this can help anyone looking to find a light paddle. If you want more info just ask, i didnt want to ramble to much!

i use a 54" bending branches bent shaft 8.5 in wide rectangle blade paddle (as opposed to the teardrop, my brother has the teardrop and i prefer the feel/power/control of the rectangle blade). id vote for a bending branches but i havent used any of the other mentioned brands. if i ever bought more paddles id go with bb again because ive been nothing but happy with them.

im a traditionalist in the sense that i will only use wood paddles. something about being up in canada in the middle of the wilderness dictates that you need wood to fit in.

xcskibum1 wrote on Feb 16^th, 2012 at 6:16pm:

Lavas is canadian made and hard to get ahold of..(made in a basement somewheres in Quebec)

You can call Michel Levaseur in Quebec at 819-533-5108 for a custom built paddle made to your specs.  Ordering now will probably get you a paddle by the 2013 season.

I have the 10 oz ZRE paddle, bent shaft. After that, any other paddle feels like a Volkswagon on a stick. If you are willing to spend the money and treat it right, then it is an easy choice.

I recommend Bending Branches' Espresso ST.  It's made of black willow (used to be called the Black Widow) and weighs about 19 ounces.  Not superlight but lighter than the usual 24-ounce wood paddle.  I use mine in all conditions except whitewater and it's just fine.  For tripping when paddling bow I use either a Sawyer Kai bent (bamboo and graphite) or a Bell bent, both under 20 ounces.  The Bell looks like the Mitchell Leader   (You need to Login or Register.

Just to let you all know I took delivery of my new Zaveral Z Medium (10 oz.) straight shaft.  It's so light it feels like a toy.  I can't wait to get it in the water but I don't imagine I'll really get a sense of it until the 8th or 9th hour of a long paddling day.

I've never seen so many sizes/options available: 0-15 deg bend in increments of 1. blade width, length. looks nice....