Paddle Making in the Desert
By: Jack Skinkle
I had the amazing opportunity to travel to Arizona this semester
to learn about paddle crafting, which was an incredible experience. The
purpose of the trip was to learn about and complete the multi-step
process of creating a wooden canoe paddle. Traveling to Flagstaff, AZ
provided the perfect opportunity for exploring this unique craft. Arizona
was the destination of choice because of the amazing craftsman Greg
Fishell who made this journey possible and an unforgettable adventure.
Each step of the process, from sourcing the perfect wood to shaping
and finishing a paddle, offered a unique glimpse into the intersection of
art, functionality, and tradition. This guide explores the highlights of the
trip and the insights gained about both the craft and the craftsman.
The process began by choosing the right paddle for me, Greg is
known for making a variety of otter tail style paddles, each of the unique styles he offers has a
unique purpose and are custom made for the paddlers height and needs, some of the styles he
offers are; Modified Otter Tail, which is a classic otter tail
shape with broader shoulders at the top of the blade. The
Modified Ottertail is for those paddlers who are looking for
more surface area than the traditional Ottertail, another style
Greg offers is the Ray Special which is 50% blade and 50%
handle, this style is their number one seller. This results in a
paddle that is mechanically superior to other paddles. Greg
offers many other paddles than the ones I highlighted here
and I highly recommend looking at his website if you are
interested in buying a new paddle
After choosing the right paddle for my needs we jumped right into making the paddle!
The first step was drawing out the paddle shape using the many templates Greg has in his shop
to promote efficiency. Using my chosen 16ft Cherry board we carefully sketched out the design.
Greg’s advice on preferred paddle shapes for me was the Ray
Special due to my time on long distance canoe trips, and my time
spent solo canoeing at my cottage in the early mornings! After
finalizing my paddle choice, we moved to cutting the wood on the
bandsaw. This required special techniques, however this was the
beginning of very specific and precise cuts and movements we
would have to do in order to get the perfect paddle shape Greg
gets over and over again even though he handcrafts each paddle,
once we cut the shoulders and general shape down we had to find
the centre of the paddle for the next step on the lathe Greg
explained this step took him 5 years to master with his mentor
Ray! I tried a couple times, and after multiple corrections we finally were happy with the results
and moved onto the next step: the lathe! One of the most fascinating parts was working on
Greg’s proprietary lathe. This machine, which is the only animated, and most essential part of
the paddle making process, allowed for precision and unique designs that would have been
otherwise impossible without this amazing converted World War II Propeller making lathe.
Observing this machine was absolutely fantastic, and really made the paddle start to look
complete. The final steps involved sanding and planing the paddle. Using tools like a hand
planer we started to shape the shoulders and blade of the
paddle. The lathe does most of the work but the fine
details are all completed by hand, Greg meticulously
walked me through this process as one miss step and the
paddle would have been ruined. After refining the paddle’s
edges, we moved to the sander where the final blade and
grip took shape through the 5 different sanding steps.
Greg was a real artist when achieving the perfect shape
with every paddle he made. After adding a logo, some
laser engraving, and varnish coat the paddle was
complete!
A significant aspect of Greg’s business involves
shipping paddles from the US to Canada. He highlighted
challenges such as import and export cost and strategies like storing cherry stock in Huntsville,
Canada for faster and cheaper shipping. Another topic we chatted about was sourcing the
correct lumber to the desert, Greg explained he sources his wood from the East Coast of the
USA, as his mentor did, this ensures high-quality materials. He also has built trust so the
shipper will hold the lumber for him for a year until he resupplies, his lumber
preferences are Ash, Maple, Cherry, and minimal Walnut. Each paddle averagely
cost approximately $200 dollars, with an average production time of 1 hour per
paddle. Factors that influence these costs include Canada versus USA shipping,
another one is the cost of lumber which has increased due to the transportation of
the lumber across the USA.
Greg's journey to paddle-making began at 14 years old, when he crafted his first
canoe paddle from an old ash blank he found in his grandfather's basement. By
16, he upgraded his skills with a cherry wood board and sought advice from
paddle legend Ray Kettlewell, who became his mentor. In 2001, Greg followed in
his father’s footsteps by attending Pine Crest, this is where Ray recognized Greg
and encouraged his craft. When Ray retired in 2013, he collaborated with his
family to acquire Ray’s business, launching Fishell Paddles in 2014. Ray guided
Greg through the transition, sharing his expertise and becoming like a grandfather
to him. In 2019, Greg moved the shop from Kinmount, Ontario, to Flagstaff,
Arizona, balancing the challenges of relocation with the growth and family life.
Today, Fishell Paddles thrives, combining tradition and innovation. Greg is very
grateful for the support of customers who have made his dream of being a professional paddle
maker a reality. If you would like to learn more about Greg I urge you to take a look at his
website. He has a lot of fantastic info on there and some contact info, he is great at answering
questions.
The trip to Arizona provided inspiring insights into the art and business of paddle
crafting. Through hands-on experience and guidance from the skilled craftsman, Greg Fishell, I
was able to appreciate the process behind creating a wooden canoe paddle. From selecting the
ideal wood to the final finishing touches, each stage demonstrated the harmony of
craftsmanship, utility, and tradition. Additionally, the trip shed light on the business side of
paddle crafting, highlighting the dedication, marketing, and customer relationships that are
essential for success in this unique field. Overall, this journey deepened my understanding of
the craft and gave me a new perspective on the intersection of artistry and entrepreneurship in
paddle crafting.
If you are interested in buying a paddle from Greg, here is a link to Greg’s website:
https://www.fishellpaddles.com/