Polynesian Outrigger Paddles

The paddles we were commissioned to build are ready.
They will be decorative items but are built for the water.  Koa is one heavy wood.  Those outrigger crews must have been strong!

Here are photos of the process...

Handle pieces with hardwood dowel visible.

Blades shaped, before routing the shaft.

Epoxying the koa handles to the cherry shaft.

Fully shaped and rounded.  Ready for finish.

The depressions on a truck's tailgate are intended for Linseed oil.  Most people don't know that.

Oiled wood not yet varnished

Applying linseed oil brings out the beautiful patterns in the Koa.

After several coats of spar varnish.  Ready for a trip to the next island.

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