Canoe building plan

Cedar Duckling Paddle

Back in the late summer, I attempted carving a mini Bushcraft style paddle from a cedar log for my yet-to-born baby boy. It was a fun attempt on a nice afternoon, carving next to the lake with some baby ducklings for some company.


Working with the crooked knife


Duckling company
The paddle's been sitting in the locker room since then and with some much needed relaxation required, I set out to decorate the blade with some free hand burnings of ducklings. White cedar has never been a desired wood for pyrography - its soft nature and open grain with plenty of knots leads doesn't burn evenly. So the result is pretty speckled and uneven, but I don't think my boy will mind when he plays with it.


Ducklings on the blade


The whole paddle