> I'm afraid you may find the cedar brittle.I have found that spruce is far
> stronger,and will bend a fair amount before failure,whereas cedar is
> weaker,and will give little or no warning before failure.Spruce 2x4 or 2x3
> can be gotten for less than $3,but you will have to pick thru the pile for
> a decent one. You can make the shaft of spruce, and the blades from
> cedar.One good 2x4 will make 2 paddle shafts. The weight difference is
> negligible.

So far the paddle appears to be quite strong. The cedar had a very tight straight clear grain. The only thing that might cause me any concern is possible damage to the tips. I have some maple, I could epoxy to them, but for now I play with it as is. I'll be making another later after I finish my second boat.

Mike