: Betsie Bay Kayaks makes their 'rolling sticks' to similar dimensions, but you
: grab the small end so that you get more lift off of the large end.
: Cross-sectionally it is similar to a Greenland paddle -- slightly convex
: on both sides.

Dean,

I used a BBK rolling stick for a number of years until I made my own. I really enjoy the traditional design. It has a diamond shape cross-section that planes well. The channel on the underside, although designed to allow the stick to rest against the harpoon shaft, gives a great finger grip. Most of the Greenlanders hold the throwing stick near the narrow end for rolling as you suggest, but many of them hold it closer to the center than the end. Maligiaq Padilla often holds the stick in this manner, sometimes with his index finger placed down the "spine". The finger detents on a Greenland norsaq (e.g. Kent's example) are for throwing a harpoon, not rolling, but it's fun to add them anyway. A "real" stick would have two holes in it where it mates to pegs in the harpoon.

These tools, including the BBK model, also work great for fishing. It is easy to manage the rod in one hand while holding the norsaq in the other, sculling to move past weed beds, turn the bow, etc. There are many other uses for a small hand-paddle such as this, too, although I won't go there.....

Greg Stamer