: The paddle I broke was a nice wood paddle, manufactured by a pretty well
: known firm (who I don't intend to disparage here) that I'd only had since
: Christmas and had treated with kid gloves. After returning home, I shipped
: both pieces of the paddle back to the folks that built it, explaining how
: it broke and respectfully requesting a replacement. Today i got a call
: from the owner of the company. He told me that there were cracks on the
: throat of the blade as well and the paddle had obviously been stressed
: beyond it's limits.

Funny how easy it is to forget, but WOOD actually ISN'T a man-made material! It does have faulty stuctures of it's own, too, apart from manufacturing defects.

But since it is the manufacturer who chooses and screens his materials, it is he who should cover these faults as well. No doubt about it. Bummer!