SNIP) > >He calls it Toksook. It has foam core symmetrical blades with the paddle >shaft extended nearly to the end of the blade as a faired in 'backbone'. >This faired in backbone gives the blade a wing cross section having the >same convex surface on both faces. The blade edges are thicker than most >blades that I've seen. That's my best description of it construction. > >My experience using it was immediately positive. We had been practicing >sculling and I found it much easier to scull with his blade. It was more >forgiving than my thin blade with a curved power face; it was less likely >to dive or flutter. Sweeps were easier to control, more predictable. >Others in the group had similar experiences with the Toksook. > >Can anyone tell me more about this paddle? Are there other designs like it? > (SNIP) Some time back we had the usual debate about paddles (Greenland style - high aspect ratio paddle versus Euro style - low aspect ratio) with the usual objections to the lack of lift provided by the low aspect ratio paddle. At the time I pointed out that low aspect ratio paddles could also be made with thick foil sections that should, according to aero data, produce more driving force than the higher aspect ratio paddles. The Toksook moves that direction slightly but some of its benefits in creating lift get offset by the ridge that destroys the flow across the blade. The leaf shape has more aesthetic appeal than functional value for modern paddlers. Nothing in my tank testing indicated that variations in profile had any measurable impact on thrust. The Inuit may have had a functional use for it but I can't recall it. The increased sensation of control comes from the thicker edges that delay stall. Something any paddle can have. Some theoretical ship rudders have Dumbbell shapes that may also make excellent paddle shapes. Building your own Toksook without the ridge and with a slightly lower aspect ratio should produce a lighter and even better performing paddle. Once the ice leaves I can restart my paddle testing program that I had to terminate last winter. Will report back when done. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
>>He calls it Toksook. Derek calls it a "willow leaf" shape, but if they're true to form, willows in England must have different shaped leaves than they do here in the colonies. The couple Toksook paddles that I saw were pretty heavy (one was a 4 piece which aggravates that problem). They are extremely overbuilt and could be lightened up considerably. Derek was a blacksmith, by the way, so paddle weight wouldn't bother him. I'm a "competing" paddle manufacturer so won't spout what I think are advantages or disadvantages of Derek's design. The importer used to be Paddle Plus or something like that, Terry Harlow, in Connecticut, I think. I've not had any luck with finding his Web site recently either. Used to have an e-mail address for him, I'll try to find it and let people know if it doesn't bounce on me. Hank Hays Lightning Paddles *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Hank Hays wrote: > > >>He calls it Toksook. > > Derek calls it a "willow leaf" shape, but if they're true to form, willows > in England must have different shaped leaves than they do here in the > colonies. > > The couple Toksook paddles that I saw were pretty heavy (one was a 4 piece > which aggravates that problem). They are extremely overbuilt and could be > lightened up considerably. Derek was a blacksmith, by the way, so paddle > weight wouldn't bother him. > > I'm a "competing" paddle manufacturer so won't spout what I think are > advantages or disadvantages of Derek's design.. > > Hank Hays > Lightning Paddles > Hank's Lightning paddles are terrible! Don't go near them. They are so light and great that you will want to toss away all of your other paddles, i.e. a very expensive experience. :-) I have resisted using a Lightning paddle beyond holding one for a second. But last year I did get conned by Ken Fink down in Delaware to try one out that another friend, Jeremy Speer, had with him. (Jeremy is a local NYC paddler whose Lightning paddles I had declined for years to touch because I knew what would happen! But I had to be nice to Ken since he is kayak icon.) It was a hateful experience in that it took a long time to start loving my Werner Camano and other paddles again. I have 3 pr of Camanos (2-piece, normal layup, older model, which is a bit heavier than current ones), a Feathercraft 4 piece (made by Aquabound at the time) and another paddle carbon, forget the make as I covered its black blade with reflective tape. Only the last one comes near the weight of the Lightning but the Lightning has the advantage of being yellow bladed and a better feel. Perhaps I should paddle one of Derek's logs so that my existing inventory would shine once again. ralph diaz -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024 Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com "Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
At 11:32 AM 4/6/99 -0700, rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com wrote: >Hank Hays wrote: >> >> >>He calls it Toksook. >> >> Derek calls it a "willow leaf" shape, but if they're true to form, willows >> in England must have different shaped leaves than they do here in the >> colonies. >> >> The couple Toksook paddles that I saw were pretty heavy (one was a 4 piece >> which aggravates that problem). They are extremely overbuilt and could be >> lightened up considerably. Derek was a blacksmith, by the way, so paddle >> weight wouldn't bother him. >> >> I'm a "competing" paddle manufacturer so won't spout what I think are >> advantages or disadvantages of Derek's design.. >> >> Hank Hays >> Lightning Paddles >> > >Hank's Lightning paddles are terrible! Don't go near them. They are so >light and great that you will want to toss away all of your other >paddles, i.e. a very expensive experience. :-) > > > >ralph diaz > >-- ralph Hank says his paddles are the reason paddle leashes were invented. He did not explain if it was that they were so light they would float off if not held on to or if it was to keep others from walking off with them. Dana *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
At 11:32 AM 4/6/99 -0700, rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com wrote: >Hank's Lightning paddles are terrible! Don't go near them. They are so >light and great that you will want to toss away all of your other >paddles, i.e. a very expensive experience. :-) Hi Ralph et al! Last season a friend (a distributor no less, curse his eyes) insisted that I try an ugly black Zavarel graphite paddle. It was a horrible experience, and at the end of 20 or 30 minutes of loathing (a couple of laps around the local puddle), I returned to find that he had somehow contrived to fill the shaft of my lovely wooden paddle with lead. Out came the checkbook. I later tried to foist the lead-filled paddle off on the Ms., but she wasn't having anything to do with it. Out came the checkbook again. I feel that there ought to be a law against this sort of thing. To quote Paul Simon, "If I'd never loved I never would have cried . . ." >Perhaps I should paddle one of Derek's logs so that my existing >inventory would shine once again. Nope, won't work. Tried it. Spent 2 whole minutes using a Mohawk aluminum/plastic paddle last weekend. Severe withdrawal; tenseness in my shoulders, cramps in my forearms, shakes, the works. What we really need is some kinda support group, maybe one of those 12 step programs or something; "My name is S_______, and I am a graphite addict . . ." ;-) ByeBye! S. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
At 8:08 AM -0700 4/6/99, Hank Hays wrote: >>>He calls it Toksook. >The importer used to be Paddle Plus or something like that, Terry Harlow, >in Connecticut, I think. I've not had any luck with finding his Web site >recently either. Used to have an e-mail address for him, I'll try to find >it and let people know if it doesn't bounce on me. Terry is from my home town, Glastonbury, CT. Funny, I hadn't met him until one time we ended up doing the same walk in the woods. He has indeed given up the importing of the Tooksook. I believe someone else was taking over that responsibility. Nick Nick Schade Guillemot Kayaks 10 Ash Swamp Rd Glastonbury, CT 06033 (860) 659-8847 Schade_at_guillemot-kayaks.com http://www.guillemot-kayaks.com/ >>>>"It's not just Art, It's a Craft!"<<<< *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
At 08:08 AM 4/6/99 -0700, Hank Hays wrote: >>>He calls it Toksook. > >Derek calls it a "willow leaf" shape, but if they're true to form, willows >in England must have different shaped leaves than they do here in the >colonies. > > Derek was a blacksmith, by the way, so paddle >weight wouldn't bother him. > >Hank Hays >Lightning Paddles > I know he was a ship fitter (plumber), a school teacher and a military policeman, now he was a blacksmith? Can't he keep a job? he he . Dana *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
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