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...
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| Handle pieces with hardwood dowel visible. |
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| Blades shaped, before routing the shaft. |
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| Epoxying the koa handles to the cherry shaft. |
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| Fully shaped and rounded. Ready for finish. |
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| The depressions on a truck's tailgate are intended for Linseed oil. Most people don't know that. |
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| Oiled wood not yet varnished |
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| Applying linseed oil brings out the beautiful patterns in the Koa. |
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| After several coats of spar varnish. Ready for a trip to the next island. |
