Greenland Paddles > Making
Making a Greenland Paddle
It is relatively straightforward to make a Greenland style paddle using simple tools, as the following pages demonstrateOverview
Chuck Holst has written a useful guide Making a West Greenland Paddle on the general principles of making a Greenland paddleThe Greenland paddle has become increasingly popular among sea kayakers in North America, Europe, and other parts of the world. Apart from its romantic association with the people who taught Europeans to kayak and to roll, the narrow-bladed Greenland paddle is popular because it is easy to brace and roll with and is not very susceptible to strong winds. Also, because it slips a little at the beginning of a stroke, it is easier on the muscles, and thus less fatiguing on day-long trips than wide-bladed "Euro"-style paddles....
A Greenland paddle is a paddle in the style of those traditionally used by the Inuit of Greenland. It is characterized by long, narrow, tapering blades and a relatively short loom, or shaft, that is typically one-quarter and no more than one-third the length of the paddle. Unlike Inuit paddles across the Davis Strait, the loom is not carved in any way that would interfere with the sliding stroke.
Traditional Greenland paddles have bone tips, and usually bone edges, to protect them from sea ice, but outside Greenland and even in Greenland itself, most modern replicas are made entirely of wood.
A Greenland paddle is narrow so the hand can grasp the blade near the end without having to grasp the tip, which on a traditional paddle is connected to the blade by a mortise and tenon joint. So the extreme width of a Greenland blade should be no wider than the paddler can grasp between the web of the thumb and the second joint of the forefinger. A paddle that has a blade too wide to grasp is not a Greenland paddle, because it cannot be used like one. more
Hints and tips on making your first Greenland paddle
- Use a cheap length of softwood to practice on
- Take your time, and follow the maxim of measure twice, cut once
- Enjoy the process
- Look for advice on the Web - videos, websites, books
Some useful links about making your own paddle
Carving The Greenland Paddle Videos by Matt JohnsonMake your own Greenland Paddles Website and book by Brian Nystrom
Making a Greenland Paddle with a Router on Sea Kayaking Dot Net
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