Recently I've become interested in picking up a bent-shaft (crank-shaft??) paddle. I got interested recently while looking for a 4-piece break-down paddle for use with a folding kayak. The Lendal caught my eye, for various reasons. Lendal features their bent-shaft paddles rather prominently. Recently, as of this year I guess, Werner got into the act too. The Werner design, however, is rather different in the position of the bent areas, and in the relative position of the blades to the paddle shaft centerline. I'm unfamiliar with any other manufacturers producing such paddles. So my questions are: 1) Are there other manufacturers I've missed? 2) If you tried these paddles, what do you think of them as compared to various straight shaft paddles? 3) Theoretically, do you buy the argument(s) put forth for their use? My one experience with a bent-shaft blade was with a Lendal Archipelago last year. While taking a BCU course, I opted for the equipment provided by the firm offering the course (not wanting to car-top my own boat the five or so hours each way to the class). I had a miserable experience with a boat that fit me poorly (despite making supposed arrangements in advance of the class to make sure that wouldn't happen). The paddle I got was a pure fit too. I eventually borrowed the above mentioned Lendal from one of the instructors, and was able to maneuver much more easily than I had been able to earlier. It took some getting used to, but gave me good control. I forget the manufacturer and model of the first paddle, so maybe I was comparing against absolute crap, but nonetheless it did peek my interest. -- James Durkin jwd_at_phonogram.net -or- jwd_at_acm.org *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
At 12:41 AM 9/11/02 -0500, James Durkin wrote: >Recently I've become interested in picking up a bent-shaft (crank-shaft??) >paddle. I got interested recently while looking for a 4-piece break-down >paddle for use with a folding kayak. The Lendal caught my eye, for >various reasons. Lendal features their bent-shaft paddles rather >prominently. Recently, as of this year I guess, Werner got into the act >too. The Werner design, however, is rather different in the position of >the bent areas, and in the relative position of the blades to the paddle >shaft centerline. I'm unfamiliar with any other manufacturers producing >such paddles. I've used both a bent shaft Lendal and a bent shaft Werner Kaliste. A couple of weeks ago I helped lead a group of the coast of Newfoundland (as soon as the outfitter found out I had a lot of experience he volunteered me to help lead a group of 12 beginners). He let me use his bent shaft Lendal. I didn't like it. The bend felt too far out from where I normally hold a paddle so I never felt secure bracing. A friend of mine recently bought a 220cm Werner Kaliste (graphite) and I liked it quite a bit more. I still prefer a straight shaft though. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I went in with Lew C. from the list and got the Lendal crankshaft which I really like. This is not in disagreement with John as I had the adjustable crankshaft shortened to 210-216 and I don't know where they trimmed the loom. The the spread of the bends are just fine. I find less wrist issues which can aggravate my carpal tunnel (on both wrists), but I had long modified my stroke techniques to compensate on the straight shaft. Indexing is quite nice on the crankshaft. I still can't determine a preference for that, my very lightweight Epic, or my newest stick. They all great fun to paddle with...gabriel > I've used both a bent shaft Lendal and a bent shaft Werner Kaliste. A > couple of weeks ago I helped lead a group of the coast of Newfoundland (as > soon as the outfitter found out I had a lot of experience he volunteered me > to help lead a group of 12 beginners). He let me use his bent shaft > Lendal. I didn't like it. The bend felt too far out from where I normally > hold a paddle so I never felt secure bracing. -- gabriel l romeu ø http://studiofurniture.com ø ø http://journalphoto.org ø ø http://kayakoutfitting.org ø ø http://kayaknavigation.com ø *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
James, I use an AT bent shaft paddle. Very expensive, but my 7 other straight shaft paddles are now for sale. It took zero time to get used to it. It only takes time to get used to a straight shaft paddle nowadays, because the straight shaft seems so unnatural. Theoretical arguments are irrelevant. You must try it. I do not think all bent shaft paddles are alike, but I have not tried any but the AT. Jerry Foodman > Recently I've become interested in picking up a bent-shaft (crank-shaft??) > paddle. > 1) Are there other manufacturers I've missed? > > 2) If you tried these paddles, what do you think of them as compared > to various straight shaft paddles? > > 3) Theoretically, do you buy the argument(s) put forth for their > use? *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
From: "James Durkin" <jwd_at_phonogram.net> > 1) Are there other manufacturers I've missed? Current Designs, AT, Phantom (or whatever it is from Wehnonah) > 2) If you tried these paddles, what do you think of them as compared > to various straight shaft paddles? > > 3) Theoretically, do you buy the argument(s) put forth for their > use? I have a Lendal Archipelago and consider the bent shaft primarily useful if you need it. Mine also has the variable center join so I can have any feather angle I want. If you tend to have joint problems, the bent shaft is worth it (assuming, of course, the specific problem is in the wrist alignment that the bent shaft corrects). If you don't need it, then it's purely a preference that has a few real advantages and some potential disadvantages. The disadvantages depend on whether you have a blade that leads the shaft, trails the shaft or is neutral. Few of the first are sold; most blades trail the shaft. Werner adds the extra bends to make it neutral. If the blade isn't neutral, it tends to "caster". When I first used my Lendal in a running draw, I nearly flipped over as the blade rotated in line with the water flow and pulled under the hull. I like the way the paddle performs in rolling - it's easy to orient since the bends make it almost self-orienting. The problem I have is that since making Greenland-style paddles (regular and a storm as a spare) I rarely use the Lendal. I just got back from Nova Scotia and used the Lendal to hold up the tarp. I find the Greenland paddles provide the wrist correction (due to the closer hand position) and also result in lower stress on the joints in general. I'm seriously considering selling the Lendal and sticking to the $20 paddles. Mike *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
On Wednesday, September 11, 2002, at 1:45:02 PM PST, Michael Daly wrote: > If you tend to have joint problems, the bent shaft is worth it > (assuming, of course, the specific problem is in the wrist alignment > that the bent shaft corrects). If you don't need it, then it's > purely a preference that has a few real advantages and some > potential disadvantages. I agree with you here, and I'll add a little more from my perspective... Out of curiosity, I've tried several bent shaft paddles in the past, and didn't like any of them. This is probably mostly due to my preferred paddle handling style. I prefer a straight shaft because I can freely move my hands along the shaft, effectively changing the length of the paddle - or the width of my grip - for certain maneuvers/conditions. This is how I've always used a "Euro" paddle. For the past six months or so, I've been using West Greenland style paddles exclusively, and basically have no desire to use a "Euro" paddle anymore. I really like the sliding and extended paddle strokes of the Greenland technique, and being able to slide my hands comfortably all along the length of the narrow blades is a great plus for me. For years, I used only an 80 degree feather Werner, and never had any problems with my wrists, hands, arms, etc., so rather than finding any advantage to the bent shaft paddles, I found only limitations. I've heard people refer to Greenland paddles as "variable length" paddles, and it's one of the many things I really love about them. I also like the fact that the blade faces are symmetrical. It's never a problem finding the "correct" blade face! I also like it when people tell me it looks like I'm paddling with a ski! :-) Melissa -- PGP public keys: mailto:pgp_keys_at_gmx.co.uk?subject=0x46C29887&Body=Please%20send%20keys *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
So my questions are: 1) Are there other manufacturers I've missed? 2) If you tried these paddles, what do you think of them as compared to various straight shaft paddles? 3) Theoretically, do you buy the argument(s) put forth for their use? 1) I have an Adventure Technology (AT) bent shaft paddle and I love it! When I loan out my paddle I often times have a hard time getting it back. 2) I have tried Werner and Swift straight shaft paddles, they are good but my wrists can't handle it. 3) Absolutely! I have severe Rheumatoid Arthritis and my wrists have been hammered by the disease. I don't think I could paddle as much without a bench shaft, my wrist simply could not take the punishment. I feel MUCH better with a bent shaft. I don't care about the scientific explanations; I can tell you for someone with joint problems it is heavenly! -- MZ *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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