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.