I need a new paddle

[GrisGris]

What does everyone else like.
I'm paddling a Shaman and tend to beat up my paddles especially when clawing my way back up to a play spot.
I have been using a war club Schlegal but the tip finally wore out.
I'm not concerned with weight only durability.
Suggestions?
Thanks

[Roy]

Glass shaft, S/K blade, aluminum tip, Norse. Tough, very tough.

Roy

[Peter K.]

I've been abusing my Echo carbon for years and only had it refinished once. The wood laminate creek stick seems even more durable.

[kaz]

Norse "Millbrook" model in stock here.

[kaz]

I also have a slightly used Norse for sale. Heavier duty, no metal tip, 57". $100.

[Sir Adam]

Norse are bomber. My 'guide stick' for pushing rubber is still going strong after 20+ years.

Now what do I use? well, I really like my Echo (Concept), but I like light paddles with great water feel.

[Paddle Power]

A Rough Stuff paddles have the right name.

[Sir Adam]

I would have mentioned Rough Stuff, but last time I checked they were out of business. Are they back? For abusing paddling my Savage C1 stick (Rough Stuff) is a great blade. Not as nice water feel, but light and I could probably chop wood with it.

[GrisGris]

thanks for the intel
I remember a lot of the Gauley folks paddling Norse 20 years ago
Glad they're still around
I'll look Roughstuff next.
Kaz, what does the Millbrook look like? Couldn't find it on your site.
And what length is the used one.
Cheers

[kaz]

Gris,
Sent you an email.

[arhdc]

Norse are Bomber, dig your fire pit, shovel snow, go to war on a Viking warship bomber. Compression molded glass blade with aluminum tip.

[Roy]

Well, there were the totally-old-school Norse paddles made in PA by Rich Brown. They were aluminum shaft (covered in Dynel), glass blade, aluminum tip paddles. On a case-by-case basis, he would build you any size blade and would make the blade out of any fabric you sent him. Long before Kevlar blades showed up in his "catalog," you could send him some fabric, and he would build you a blade. I expect he would make sticks without the aluminum tip, if you asked.

Today, Norse Paddles makes that same old-school paddle...mostly for raft guides, I expect.

But they also make paddles with fiberglass shafts, have an S-glass/Kevlar blade option, and make them without the aluminum tip. You seem to be able to mix and match just about any design element.

If I was in the market for a bomb-proof straight-blade paddle, I would probably go with the glass shaft Norse.

BTW: I think Rough Stuff has been out of business for quite some time. I have one of their paddles, and found it prone to tip wear (like the Warner Bandit).

Roy

[Bruce Farrenkopf]

H2O Paddles. Very tough. I may wear out before this paddle does.

[GrisGris]

I went with a Werner Bandit. I was totally sold on Norse and about to order one but a shop here in Missoula had the Bandit for 20% off and rather than wait a couple of weeks and pay the shipping I went for it. I doubt it is as bomber as a Norse but it sure smokes that Schlegal war club I'd been using.

[Bruce Farrenkopf]

Good choice for a performance paddle.