Grey Owl Sagamore (Oiled)

Grey Owl Sagamore Oiled Canoe Paddle

The Grey Owl Sagamore is a traditional solid-wood canoe paddle designed for touring on lakes, lochs and deeper rivers. Its long, relatively narrow blade allows the paddler to place the working area fully beneath the surface, making it particularly well suited to smooth, controlled strokes in water where the blade is unlikely to contact the bottom.

Handcrafted from a single piece of solid cherry, the Sagamore combines the warmth and natural feedback of wood with a refined blade shape intended for distance paddling. The cambered blade and finely shaped edges support a clean entry and controlled movement through the water, making the paddle rewarding to use with traditional techniques such as the Canadian or Indian stroke.

This is a paddle we would recommend to canoeists who value rhythm, control and efficiency over the immediate power of a short, wide blade. It is particularly at home on longer touring days, where its slender profile and traditional feel encourage a relaxed, consistent paddling cadence.

Comfortable Traditional Design

The solid-cherry football-style grip is shaped to fit naturally into the palm and allows the hand to move comfortably when changing between corrective and steering strokes. Its oval shaft provides a clear sense of blade alignment, helping the paddler control the paddle without needing to look at the blade.

Because the paddle is made from solid cherry rather than laminated timber, every Sagamore has its own natural grain and appearance. The boiled linseed oil finish leaves the wood feeling more natural in the hands than a high-gloss varnished paddle and can be renewed periodically as part of normal wooden-paddle care.

Designed for Deeper Water

The Sagamore’s longer blade is most effective when it can be completely submerged. It is therefore best suited to deeper lakes, lochs and rivers rather than very shallow, rocky waterways, where a shorter-bladed paddle may be easier to use.

A concealed cast-epoxy insert reinforces the blade tip while maintaining the clean appearance of the solid-cherry blade. It adds protection at a vulnerable point, although—as with any finely edged wooden touring paddle—the Sagamore should still be treated with care around rocks, gravel and hard banks.

Who Is the Grey Owl Sagamore For?

The Sagamore is an excellent choice for:

• Long-distance lake, loch and deep-river touring
• Paddlers who favour traditional Canadian-style strokes
• Solo or tandem canoeists seeking a refined wooden paddle
• Canoeists who prefer a smooth, controlled stroke
• Paddlers who appreciate the feel and appearance of solid cherry
• Those prepared to maintain an oiled wooden paddle periodically

For frequent use in shallow or rocky water, a shorter, wider or more heavily reinforced paddle may be a more practical option.

Features

• Handcrafted solid-cherry construction
• Long, narrow blade for deep-water touring
• Football-style solid-cherry grip
• Oval solid-cherry shaft
• Cambered blade cross-section
• Fine blade edges
• Concealed cast-epoxy tip insert
• Boiled linseed oil finish
• Available in multiple lengths from 52 to 68 inches
• Made in Canada

Specifications

Grip: Solid cherry, football style

Shaft: Solid cherry, oval

Shaft dimensions: 1 1/8 × 1 1/16 inches

Blade: Solid cherry

Blade profile: Cambered

Tip: Cast epoxy, concealed insert

Finish: Boiled linseed oil

Overall lengths: 52–68 inches

Care Advice

An oiled wooden paddle needs occasional maintenance to retain its protection and appearance. Allow the paddle to dry after use, store it away from prolonged heat and direct sunlight, and renew the oil finish when the wood begins to appear dry or faded.

Size Chart