Paddle ?

bradyboy · Oct 18, 2009

We found this in the NE Georgia area
Its a tad under 6 feet tall
The paddle end has a curve wear on one side suggesting it was used to stir against a rounded bottom, may be a still? which is common for the area
Dont know what the type of wood is
The lenghth and the handle end seems odd to me, I dont have a clue
Thanks for the help
Brady

intimer · Oct 22, 2009

wow! that's some pictures. :icon_scratch:

any chance there is a curve or bend in a boat paddle.

added:
what about the length?
what about where it was found?

taz42o · Oct 22, 2009

intimer said:
wow! that's some pictures.
any chance there is a curve or bend in a boat paddle.

added:
what about the length?
what about where it was found?

What curve?
Paddles can often be bought in lengths from 2'6" to 6'
The wear on tip is from paddle hitting bottom of lake and wear on the blade near handle is from hitting boat side

bradyboy · Oct 23, 2009

Thanks to all of your for the replies
what confuses me is the curved end, only on one side.
Looks like the curve was cut that way and has a purpose
Like the one side was used to churn along a rounded kettle bottom
Also, the glossy material looks to be a glue / epoxy to keep the seam from splitting, its only on one side and in a small area, looks like a modern fix.
The wood isn't stained in any way, the color of the wood is consistent top to bottom, very light in color, its also heavy for its size
no dirt or discoloration
I was thinking it was for a still?
Brady

intimer · Oct 23, 2009

stirring paddles, but not all, generally have holes. very hot pot, less splash!

that's good observation the shiny stuff is 'a fix' rather than urethane. could have split because of being in a liquid.

the wearing down of the edge does look possibly from stirring in an iron pot. so, the stirrer stirred in one direction primarily? possible, i have to say.

i still think because of the length, the substantialness (weight), the similar pictures of shovels that it is a shovel.

is there any wear or patina along the handle that would indicate how the hands were while being used?

Bigcypresshunter · Oct 23, 2009

Looks like my old boat paddle but I burned it when it started to separate in the center, like yours. Mine was also varnished or polyurethaned.

traderoftreasures · Oct 23, 2009

i've seen one on the wall at cracker barrel and one on the wall at famous dave's with fishing stuff

bradyboy · Oct 23, 2009

its odd that there really isn't any kind of patina, dirt or staining
I see no wear where you would see hand grip activity
My Dad, who found it was under the impression it was a canoe paddle

traderoftreasures · Oct 23, 2009

here's one
http://cgi.ebay.com/VERY-OLD-Paddle...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item53dd3f4212

intimer · Oct 23, 2009

but it has a substantial curve. unlike a paddle? or am i just imagining things?

added: that's another heck of a picture!

bradyboy · Oct 23, 2009

By the way, this thing is straight as an arrow, no curve what so ever
looks to be hand made as the top part of the blade sides are so uneven
Brady

intimer · Oct 23, 2009

can't argue with bradyboy noting it is straight! therefore:

well, i thought looking at your original second picture it had a bow or a curve.
it will have to go on record my persisting it could be or is a shovel should be wrong! :dontknow:

hey, i really believed! only because the business end, i thought, had a curve or bow shaped.

i want now to jump off the shovel wagon and jump on the paddle wagon! please! :hello:

hey, traderoftreasures. that ebay seller is one paddle selling person!!!!!

traderoftreasures · Oct 23, 2009

i want now to jump off the shovel wagon and jump on the paddle wagon! please! :hello:

hey, traderoftreasures. that ebay seller is one paddle selling person!!!!!
[/quote]ya they found a way to make good money

intimer · Oct 23, 2009

hey traderoftreasures, how did you find the listing. i looked under completed listings and under their feedback listing. couldn't find it. do you have a way you could share with me! please! :read2:

i'm on the paddle wagon.... the paddle wagon.....! :laughing9:

traderoftreasures · Oct 23, 2009

yes here is the found page on wooden paddles......http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=wooden+paddle&_frs=1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m359

bradyboy · Oct 28, 2009

With all the experts here, I would have thought we would have come to a conclusion on this paddle
no one really knows or recognizes this paddle ?
what would it have been use for?
this a challenge for the experts out there
I would love to solve this - please help

BradyBoy

Bigcypresshunter · Oct 28, 2009

bradyboy said:
With all the experts here, I would have thought we would have come to a conclusion on this paddle
no one really knows or recognizes this paddle ?
what would it have been use for?
this a challenge for the experts out there
I would love to solve this - please help

BradyBoy

It looks exactly like a vintage canoe paddle. Pictures were provided and witnesses have testified. Its used to propel a canoe through the water. I dont think it is possible to verify if this canoe paddle was used for other purposes, but its possible. I recognize it. My wood pieces seperated just like yours and I burned it. These paddles came from the factory with glued together pieces and varnished. Wood does not patina. i vote green check.

intimer · Oct 29, 2009

when i finally figured out it was not curved, in the business end, ii accepted it was a paddle. (without question!) verification, to me, is the center board that originates from the handle, then different widths could be made for different styles and ages of paddling. also, the length

i wonder what specifically makes you question otherwise?

now grant you, because of the uneven wear, it could have been used for other purposes, like stirring...

one more question bradyboy---does it have any taper at all on the edges?