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 to view media files and links)
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 to view media files and links)
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 to view media files and links) ... 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 to view media files and links) 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

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

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.

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

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!