Strait, or Bent Shaft Paddle??
- Ate My Lunch
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Strait, or Bent Shaft Paddle??
I am purchasing my first brand new kayak paddle (along w/ a Pyrahna Ammo) and I am curious what the consensus is out there on strait or bent shafts. The price difference is only twenty bucks, so money really isn't a factor in my decision here....
Last edited by Ate My Lunch on Tue Jan 19, 2010 6:52 pm, edited 2 times in total.
- okieboater
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Re: Strait, or Bent Shaft Paddle??
I did not vote on your poll as I believe it is a personal decision. I use both styles and it depends on how I feel that day or the run.
I have used several bent shaft kayak paddles. Have a Werner dbl D bent shaft and feel that it is the best feeling bent shaft paddle I have found. I use it mostly on mellow runs. My feelings are a bent shaft gives me a much more powerful forward stroke, but correction strokes and setting up for rolls are a bit harder for me with a bent shaft.
I have a Werner Shogun straight shaft that has become my paddle of choice on runs where I know I will do lots of turns etc and might roll.
I think every one is different. Good thing is Werner has a wide choice of paddles so pick what ever works for you.
How do you find which one works for you? Find a shop that will let you demo even if you pay a fee or paddle with a group and ask someone to let you try their paddle for a while. Most boaters are willing to share their paddles and will also give you good feedback.
I have used several bent shaft kayak paddles. Have a Werner dbl D bent shaft and feel that it is the best feeling bent shaft paddle I have found. I use it mostly on mellow runs. My feelings are a bent shaft gives me a much more powerful forward stroke, but correction strokes and setting up for rolls are a bit harder for me with a bent shaft.
I have a Werner Shogun straight shaft that has become my paddle of choice on runs where I know I will do lots of turns etc and might roll.
I think every one is different. Good thing is Werner has a wide choice of paddles so pick what ever works for you.
How do you find which one works for you? Find a shop that will let you demo even if you pay a fee or paddle with a group and ask someone to let you try their paddle for a while. Most boaters are willing to share their paddles and will also give you good feedback.
Okieboater AKA Dave Reid
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Re: Strait, or Bent Shaft Paddle??
You really need to get out and try one of each. It comes down to what feels right.
I'm not sure where you are located, but you should come out to one of the roll sessions and try out a few paddles.
On the other hand, you cannot go wrong with a cheap used paddle until you decide what is best for you. You can always re-sell it on here later.
I'm not sure where you are located, but you should come out to one of the roll sessions and try out a few paddles.
On the other hand, you cannot go wrong with a cheap used paddle until you decide what is best for you. You can always re-sell it on here later.
- Ryan
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"Confess your Swims!"
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Re: Strait, or Bent Shaft Paddle??
just hurry up and buy a stinkin paddle
- RomanLA
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Re: Strait, or Bent Shaft Paddle??
I prefer a bent shaft, because I've had problems with carpal in the past. I like it better for rolling too. It's easier to find the correct paddle orientation underwater. I prefer the feel of the AT shafts and wouldn't trade my AT2 SL for anything!
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Re: Strait, or Bent Shaft Paddle??
Like Okie, I feel strongly both ways; so strongly I also couldn't vote for one or the other.
I use bent 90% of the time, but often trust the simplicity and strength of a straight shaft on the bigger "big water" days. (I think I still remember one of those...)
IMO, this is one case where "trying one" may not be the full answer; many folks don't start liking a bent shaft or get used to the feel for several days or weeks after making the switch. Trying one for a few hours may not give you an accurate picture of how you would really feel "long term". You almost have to get one on "faith" that the ergonomics really will be better for your wrists over a long period of use.
Flip a coin on bent vs. straight. Then spend some time figuring out the right length, right offset, and how much $$ you can afford to get one that is lighter but still strong enough for river running! (think carbon...)
I use bent 90% of the time, but often trust the simplicity and strength of a straight shaft on the bigger "big water" days. (I think I still remember one of those...)
IMO, this is one case where "trying one" may not be the full answer; many folks don't start liking a bent shaft or get used to the feel for several days or weeks after making the switch. Trying one for a few hours may not give you an accurate picture of how you would really feel "long term". You almost have to get one on "faith" that the ergonomics really will be better for your wrists over a long period of use.
Flip a coin on bent vs. straight. Then spend some time figuring out the right length, right offset, and how much $$ you can afford to get one that is lighter but still strong enough for river running! (think carbon...)
Trash: Get a little every time you go!
- okieboater
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Re: Strait, or Bent Shaft Paddle??
Cowper is right on target with advice to select carefully
Kayaks come and go and over the years I have seen a lot of them pass thru my cedar shed.
Paddles tho are for ever, I sure do like my two werners with the fat blades. Engineered to be good but basically man made fibers that are more like a tool than a extension of a paddlers hands.
But, my true love is my JimiStik followed closely by my Cricket. Both wooden works of art made just like I wanted.
A poor paddle is a club of a weight that you will fight every stroke.
A good paddle makes even a poorly designed kayak dance across the water.
Same for canoes, I think.
Kayaks come and go and over the years I have seen a lot of them pass thru my cedar shed.
Paddles tho are for ever, I sure do like my two werners with the fat blades. Engineered to be good but basically man made fibers that are more like a tool than a extension of a paddlers hands.
But, my true love is my JimiStik followed closely by my Cricket. Both wooden works of art made just like I wanted.
A poor paddle is a club of a weight that you will fight every stroke.
A good paddle makes even a poorly designed kayak dance across the water.
Same for canoes, I think.
Okieboater AKA Dave Reid
We are not sure when childhood ends and adulthood begins.
We are sure that when retirement begins, childhood restarts
We are not sure when childhood ends and adulthood begins.
We are sure that when retirement begins, childhood restarts
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Re: Strait, or Bent Shaft Paddle??
I always liked what one of my buddies used to tell me:
If you buy Werner straight shaft paddles then you get your swims at half price.
-Matt
If you buy Werner straight shaft paddles then you get your swims at half price.
-Matt
Re: Strait, or Bent Shaft Paddle??
RomanLA wrote:I prefer a bent shaft, because I've had problems with carpal in the past. I like it better for rolling too. It's easier to find the correct paddle orientation underwater. I prefer the feel of the AT shafts and wouldn't trade my AT2 SL for anything!
Me toooo.......I started out with a bent shaft paddle in 1999 and everyone thought it was weird ......but I loved it! No carpal tunnel problems ....ever! SCORE!
Diona
- shelbyjohnson
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Re: Strait, or Bent Shaft Paddle??
Straight.
'Cause that's what I use! I use a pretty wide hand position and I've never picked up a bent shaft on which I felt my hands were where they belonged on the shaft.
'Cause that's what I use! I use a pretty wide hand position and I've never picked up a bent shaft on which I felt my hands were where they belonged on the shaft.
Re: Strait, or Bent Shaft Paddle??
i use a straight, 0 degree offset, werner player... love that thing
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