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Thwarted
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The one I have and the one I don't have. I can't afford to have both. What I have is a ZRE bent shaft that I love/hate. I love the light weight and propulsion. I hate the feel of plastic and that it gets hot to the touch. Is there something better out there? I long for a paddle I can cherish for the rest of my life. What should I do?
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Ausable
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If i were in your situation, I'd be looking at the ultra-light, carbon-backed paddles from Sanborn Canoe Company. I love the way they feel, especially the grip. I don't like the 14-degree bend, but maybe they'd be willing to make a paddle with a smaller angle (assuming that your ZRE is less than 14 degrees).
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Banksiana
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I can't help you. I love my ZRE Power Surge Light. Consider it the best bit of gear I've ever purchased. Don't have a problem with the texture or temperature. Previous to the ZRE my main paddle was a beautiful and relatively light hand crafted wood paddle by Gillespie. Feels like a war club to me now.
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em8260
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I have several ZRe's and sanborns. I dont share your issues with the zre, I like the fact that ill never mark the shaft on the gunwhale like wood sometimes gets. Love the weight and look. I do also have several sanborn bents. Sanborn WILL make a different bend if you want for a little extra $, mine are 10 and 12. They also have the nessmuk carbon, wooden shaft and handle, carbon backed blade, beautiful and about 13oz I believe. I use them when i want that traditional or wooden look, but for laying the miles down, I grab my zre and never look back.
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Goldenbadger
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I’ve never paddled with a ZRE, but I do own the Sanborn Gunflint in a straight shaft. I think it only came in bent when I got it. But they made one for me in a straight shaft. I think they now make a straight version. Anyway, I love the feel of it. I’m with you on the feel of wood. Never hot, nice and smooth, love the beauty of wood. I also don’t mind a few gunwale dings in the shaft. It just means the paddle is loved and used. Adds character.
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andym
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Well, I’m not a monk but I’ll try to help.
If you really want a wood shaft then I agree about the Sanborn with the carbon fiber backed blade. In a store, it feels really nice and well balanced. The best mix of wood and carbon fiber that I’ve seen and it does seem to really get the weight pretty low.
I do like the feel of a wood paddle and carry a wood straight and enjoy using it as a change of pace. But as we say around our canoe, “is that a tailwind or a Zaveral?” Completely happy with them.
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