Each of John's canoe and kayak paddles are individualized and reflect his interpretation of traditional paddle designs for use or display. John hand selects the individual pieces and types of wood he uses in his paddles from a variety of domestic softwood (eastern white and western red cedar, white pine and tamarack) and hardwood species (black walnut, cherry, birch and maple) as well as a range o
f exotic woods from around the world (e.g., mahogany, paduak, bubinga (Africa Rosewood) and ebony for trim). He works as much as possible with traditional hand tools (block plane, spoke shave, surform and Shinto rasps) and uses only the best adhesives (Titebond III waterproof glue) and finishing products to create his paddles (West System epoxy, Epifanes varnishes and Tung Oil). Typically, John's canoe paddles reflect his interpretation of well-known Sugar Island, Beavertail and Algonquin blade designs, however each of his paddles is truly unique and individualized in terms of wood selection, pattern, length, grip shape and choice of finish. None of the paddles he produces are exactly the same. His paddle creations are an expression of his own preferences developed over a 50+ year history of paddling on lakes and rivers in Ontario. Recently, John expanded into the world of kayak paddle-making and has chosen to exclusively create traditional Greenlandic paddles - a design that has evolved to perfection over thousands of years of use and necessity. If you would like to inquire about purchasing one of John's paddles you can message or phone him to determine what finished paddles he has available, timeframes for paddles under construction or nearing completion or to discuss commissioning him to build a custom, bespoke paddle that suits your tastes, preferences and needs. Land Acknowledgement
John recognizes and deeply respects that fact that he has the privilege of living, creating and paddling on the traditional unceded territories of the Algonquin People and Nation.
