Thanks for the details,

this is interesting. Mine is 2.75" wide but has straight blades, ie. taper only for about 8" and high shoulders, 2/3 of max width. So a departure from Chuck Holst's elegant lines. It also is thin, maybe 1/2" for the first foot or so. Tips are round, as yours are. Rounded thin edges. It is pretty slim and thin, but being spruce has enough strength at least for a sweep roller like me - I try not to use brute force. Has some nervousness in hard acceleration from stand still or in very sloppy strokes, but very slightly. Very good rolling stick, inspires confidence and saves even the most pathetic half-roll with a counter sweep, even when vertical.

In its present assymmetric incarnation this stick has better bite in forward stroke than it had at 3.25" when fully symmetrical, not much more but a bit more. All in all it has been a series on pleasant surprises, getting to know it in various types of weather and use. Wind will not grab it at all, for one. Both sides equally good-natured, just the one with more bite.

But I doubt if one can make an equally slim and thin paddle from WRC, at least without some harder wood laminated into the blank. Just guessing, though.

Let us hear from you when you return!

: Though I reported that I had gotten most of the squirrelly behavior out of
: the paddle, I'm afraid this was only relative to the first, very thick
: asymmetric shape which behaved very badly. Currently the paddle catches
: well, draws fairly well, but has an annoying flutter on exit. The bite is
: pretty strong, probably stronger than I need or desire. The catch is
: quiet, but the exit is pretty noisy. The paddle is still mildly
: unpredictable and thus disconcerting in anything but a forward stroke. I
: might be able to correct some of this with technique and practice. The
: good news is it still has great lift but I'm thinking I will sacrifice
: some of this if I don't get the hang of it soon.

: As you suggest, it looks like I need to move further toward symmetry. I also
: wonder what effect making it narrower without changing the symmetry would
: have. As you say, there is only so much wood to play with. I'm going on
: vacation with it (and my spoke shave) for a couple weeks, I'll report in
: when I get back.

: The blade is currently 3-1/2" wide at the tip with a full, straight
: taper to the loom. About 3/4" thick at the tip, maybe a little less.
: The ends are half circles and the edges are pretty sharp except for the
: tip with is fully rounded.