: The raised spine at the center of the paddle does make the paddle climb
: during sculling with very little wrist twist. It also reduces flutter.

: Ross

Greg,

I was advised early on to avoid using redwood for solid (non laminated) paddles due to its brittle nature. Cedar is as brittle a wood as I care to use.

Many traditional paddles used around ice have bone tips secured to the blades with a mortise/tenon and two pins. I haven't bothered to add tips to my blades but have seen paddles with plastic or ash tips used to good effect. If you want to add traditional blade tips, John Heath's full-sized Greenland paddle plans, orginally published in SeaKayaker, illustrate the blades/tips and joinery very well (see the URL below).

Although I used a "flat" bladed storm paddle for quite some time, I agree with Ross that the traditional cross-section performs better for generating lift for sculling, sweeping and rolling. You will also find that the elliptical (or diamond) blade cross-section fills the hollow of your hand and permits a lighter grip, more comfort and enables you to easily control the blade angle (degree of forward tilt).

Greg Stamer