: I am thinking about whether to make wooden kayak paddles or purchase store
: bought.

: 1) Can someone comment on the performance of wooden paddles (such as the
: plans in "Kayak Shop") vs store bought?

You can make handmade wood paddles that are every bit as nice as store bought all wood or glass-handled/plastic-bladed paddles. It's difficult to make wood paddles that are as light AND stiff as store-bought graphite paddles. However, there is a huge difference in price. You can make wood paddles for under $20. You can buy them, or glass/plastic paddles for $80-120. You can buy carbon fiber paddles for $350-450.

: 2) Where are some good links on the web for building wooden paddles
: (preferably with diagrams)?

It just so happens I've got a few pages! ;)

Shawn