Back to our roots: wooden paddles

We received a commission to make two outrigger paddles.
The client purchased some beautiful Koa wood on a trip to Hawaii and it just recently arrived.
The wood will make two figured blades and handle pieces.
The Koa blank is 3 inches thick 20 inches long and about 9 inches wide with a bark edge.

Today we cut the blank down to 4 blade parts of 5/8 ths thick and 4.5 inches wide.

The off-fall will be cut to make the handles.  The remainder will be returned to the customer for future use.  This stuff is beautiful and precious!

With Cherry shafts cut