I think I'll try that. The current paddle that I started on last night will be laminated up fairly close to the final shape - fewer shavings. Right now I have the center blank planed down to 3/8" think and thats as far as I got. The plan is to cut the center to the shape, and laminate the tip / edges to it. Then laminate the thickness, and carve it.

It would be pretty easy for me to scroll, or rout, a center cutout from this initial starting blank. Leave 1/4" on the edges, and take 1/2" out of the middle, out into the blades? And taper it to a point? This happens to be a storm paddle, and I want it stiff. The laminations will add quite a bit to it that way and actually that center core part doesnt add any stiffness anyway does it? I'd get a hollow that is 1/2" by 3/8" this way.

: So, Don, GO THE WHOLE HOG! - The worst that can happen is you'll break it
: at R2K2, and so what? You can always blame it on my bad advice !

Nah, I'll blame it on grain run-out