: If you're going to add a rigid ferrule to the loom of GP, you're
: going to need to make it out of something other than cedar. As
: you paddle, the hard-edged ferrule will compress the soft cedar
: and eventually the joint will fail. You can probably get away
: with sandwiching the core of the loom with hardwood on the sides
: that take the bulk of the paddling stress. One additional
: downside to commercial ferrules is that they're round, so you
: can't have a nice ovalized loom, at least not in the center.

The end result doesn't have to be a round spot in the middle....if you plan ahead :)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4129/5044284502_7747662c9a_m.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4149/5044283588_1fb565ba04_m.jpg

Best Wishes
Roy