> Does anyone know where in Ontario I can buy quarter cut lumber?
> I haven't been able to find anything except sitka spruce, which in
> far to expensive, at least from the one supplier I've found. (I could
> almost buy a finished paddle for the price of a 2" x 4"
> x 8'.)

> I'd like to try making some Greenland paddles, but even if I
> buy a 6" x 6" and cut it down, all the wood around here
> comes from such tiny trees there would be pith in, or near, the centre.
> Sorry to to say, but I want some old growth!

I have built a very nice double paddle from wood found in our local lumberyard. If you are willing to take the time to go through what could possibly be a few hundred sticks. I have always found a piece or two of quarter sawn spruce (northern which makes a fine paddle) in the 2 x 10's. I have 5, perfectly straight, 10' long paddle handles with tight,perfectly straight grain. I milled these from a 2 x10 I found laying right on top of a new stack! It was a lucky day that day. Usually I have to go through some piles to find a couple of useable pieces. The blades may be made from almost anything if you laminate and cover them with a layer of fiberglass.

I hope that will be of some help...