Over the weekend we travelled to Elmira, ON for a canoe paddle making workshop with Bruce Smith, a retired school teacher and master canoe and paddle maker. The workshop runs out of Bruce’s personal workshop under a barn. Hundreds of paddles in all shapes and sizes line the walls, featuring some of the most surreal wood types and grains. Birdseye Maple is a personal favourite. This was my first time working with hand tools and wood. The power of a sharp spokeshave slicing through wood is incredible. The paddle awaits some coats of linseed oil, and this post will see an update.
All photos were shot with the Nikon D800 and 50mm f1.8
