Friends,
Looking to purchase my first high quality paddles and I'm excited about it. Before buying anything, I thought I'd seek your advice. I did do a brief search through the pages, but didn't find many direct discussions on the topic, surprisingly, but feel free to link me if I missed them. It seems like many folks like Sanborn and esp. Bending Branches. Prices differ quite a bit in their models.

I'm looking for two paddles with an eye towards aesthetics AND performance with a max of $500 for the set. They will primarily be used in a tandem situation, but sometimes solo. In particular I need:

1. One paddle for an 11 day trip we're doing in Quetico with a permit for Kawnipi.
2. Another paddle for short and extended river tripping both on and off whitewater (class 1-2+)

Any recommendations and rationales based on your experiences and/or expertise? This is a big (and long term) investment for me.

Thanks!
Travis

For flat water, look at Zaveral, zre.com. Super light and very efficient. They’re a joy when crossing a lake.

For flatwater (and moderate whitewater) carbon fiber bentshafts are hard to beat. Zaverals are nice (I've been using one for almost 20 years), but you can get entirely serviceable and less expensive paddles from Wenonah, Bending Branches, and Gray Owl. For whitewater, a more robust straight shaft is preferred for ruggedness and better control. I don't have suggestions there (I still use a fiberglass Seda I bought used in 1982. I haven't used it to split firewood, but it'd probably do the trick). I just bought a Bending Branches Expedition for an upcoming trip, but I haven't used it yet.

Wenonah/grey owl clearance

Travis,
Wenonah is having a serious clearance sale on their carbon/arimid ProLite Elbow (10 degree bent) paddle and three Grey Owl wood models. I just received my 50" ProLite Elbow and have used it twice on the lake. Love it. $119.97 with free shipping.

This is my first bent shaft paddle, so I would listen to the advice of the more experienced experts on this board, than my recommendation.
MattM posted the original link in another thread.

Hi Travis: My recommendation is to be absolutely sure you know which paddle you want before you spend the money. Paddles are very personal objects, differences in length of an inch or two can be a very big deal. Additionally, manufacturers have vastly different shapes for the paddle shafts and grips. Maybe you can try some friends paddles or rent some paddles before you plunk down your cash. Once you purchase a paddle it does not have much value on the used market. If you can swing a trip to the Sanborn Canoe shop those guys have great customer service and may be able to give you some additional advice. Good luck!!

whitecedar: "Hi Travis: My recommendation is to be absolutely sure you know which paddle you want before you spend the money. Paddles are very personal objects, differences in length of an inch or two can be a very big deal. Additionally, manufacturers have vastly different shapes for the paddle

While I'll agree that paddle taste can be very personal once you've used a lot and have developed preferences (I've lost count of how many I've had, and have), I do think, that as a first nice paddle, the recommendations given are sound. Certainly, if he can fondle the paddle, I'd highly recommend that. But, he probably can't go too far wrong with the information given.

One thing I didn't mention with my recommendation for a bent shaft for flatwater paddling is preferred paddling style. Bent shaft paddles are especially good for "sit and switch" paddling, an efficient means of going forward, using fairly subtle steering strokes, if any. For many paddlers, "sit and switch" is anathema to the legacy of canoeing, and these paddlers use the J, C, or other strokes in a more contemplative, and, I'd say, more artistic style. If this is how you prefer to paddle, then some type of straight shaft may be preferred (and I love the classic beavertail and ottertail designs, particularly made by Gray Owl. They're probably not quite as versatile as more contemporary designs, as they require deeper water). Wood paddles, whether bent or straight, have a real appeal, and a different feel than carbon.

The companies really focused on paddles can also be a good source of advice. When we bought our Zaverals in 2001, we called them up and discussed the sort of paddling and canoes we used and our current paddles. They chose lengths for us that were spot on.

With some of the more standard paddles you might only have 2” increments and then there is less ability to fine tune and you sort of take what you can get and it will likely be great, too.

I think you'll want to stick with a straight-shaft wood paddle for the whitewater. I use a Bending Branches Expedition Plus for that, and they work fine. Not sure if they're any better than the other manufacturers out there, but most of the BB's line seems to come highly recommended.

This is all helpful advice. Thanks so much!

I checked out the Zaveral and it sounds like a great paddle, but I have to say I have I an affinity for the aesthetics of natural wood. In terms of paddling style, I like sit and switch, so it was good to learn that this style works well with bent paddles. Still not decided on whether I want to go with a bent or straight shaft for Quetico touring though.

I've yet to check out the Wenonah sale, but I've been looking around online and, at this point, I'm looking closely at the Bending Branches Java (https://bendingbranches.com/canoe-paddles/premium/java/bent) for touring Quetico and the Expedition (https://bendingbranches.com/canoe-paddles/expedition/expedition-plus/straight) for tripping on whitewater. The Java woodwork is beautiful and it's pretty light. Definitely going straight shaft for the Expedition if I get one.

I don't really have many opportunities to test out paddles and I don't wanna wait until the end of summer to upgrade, so probably going to risk it and hope I grow into it. I think I can hold out for about a week at best, so I'm going to keep researching.

I agree that it is a good idea to get a bent and a straight and take both on the quetico trip. Then you can find out what you like. I carry a bending branches straight along with my Zaveral.

For an almost entirely wood straight, I would look at the Sanborn Nessmuk or Gunflint. The carbon fiber backed wood blades let’s them shave important ounces while maintaining a paddle with a good balance and wood feeling in the hands. And I do like wood, too. I just have learned that I really, really like light weight.

I do not like the various paddles with carbon fiber shafts and wood blades. They just don’t feel balanced to me. But the Sanborn paddles feel good to me. At least in a store.

I'm actually going to be in Minneapolis next weekend for a day. I'm assuming Minneapolis has some pretty good canoe and paddle shops or outdoor stores that carry Bending Branches, Sanborn, and other beautiful wood performance paddles.

I'll have time to peek into one or maybe two stores at best. Any recommendations? I'm thinking I should take the opportunity to touch and feel some of the different kinds of handcrafted quality paddles.

I have seen paddles in very good shape sell for a decent percentage of their off-the-shelf value, so if you do find that you don't like one, putting it here in the "For Sale" forum would probably bring you much of your money back. Just a thought.