Anyone have any particularly comfy grip patterns? Trying to make a paddle or two. Made one at the Urban Boat Builders Class- it was great but I want something a little lighter. Is there anywhere to print off blade or grip templates? Thanks!

I don't know where to find templates and I think there are many nice grip designs out there but Quimby paddles may be the finest wood paddles available so I think you could do a lot worse than copying one of the symmetric grips on his straight shaft paddles. paddle grips

I like a more oval shaped shaft as opposed to round. As far as handles go, I prefer the "T" style seen most often on river paddles. You have more room for wearing gloves, much better grip on a wet paddle and I think I get more wrist action with that style. I currently have a Sanborn Gunflint and that handle is a hybrid between a "T" and a traditional flat fan shaped handle. It's very comfortable, has good grip, good wrist action and has some thickness to it so it's comfortable on the fingers as well. It's been my favorite so far.

I find the traditional paddle handles (flat fan style) hard on my fingers as I dig in to make a "J" stroke. They don't however wear out your palm as easily as a "T" handle can dig in after a few ba-zillion ga-zillion strokes!