08/29/2024
Bon! I'm rested and about to head down the shop. The thing is that for 47 years, I can believe that I just wrote that, in those days time didn't do anything it seemed endless. Anyhow, I have a different point of view now. There was one department still, that was lacking far behind actually it never progress at all, maybe that I was focusing more on the two others, shaft & blade, But I have to admit it was well worth it. The thing with the grips is that every each one them had a leak, I remember spending a whole weekend ( 20 hours ), to fix 12 grips most of the time I had to go around three to four time taking three hours a grip. Well, three years ago in a combine project with my only and trusty technician and for the past 34 years, We make quite a team, a part of it that we two very different views and at some point heighten argument. SO, OFFICIALLY, Pffff..! it's over yesterday was the 10th perfect grips.
Now, I did mention the out of the box, trials & error we've been through, well they are 0.5 oz.lighter the joint between the two molds is longitudinal right in the middle instead of all around, ( funny thing the length of the join being so is 3 in.shorter and it displays a match like flaming maples guitar backs, I do built guitar too ). One more thing and it does not comes from me is quite special, see when you cut your shaft to size, ( when you get it it's 54 in. ) so, yeah don't forget it's way safer to give yourself 1/4 in. and readjust, now, you insert your handle a quarter counterclockwise, once in place turn it to the right to 12 o'clock and it will lock itself in position. You need to put some 5 min. epx but again just a lick, you save again.
It takes 10 min. to wet sand the seem and ready to go, think about 3 hours and adding in some cases up to 0.4 oz. So now, 7.0 oz.on scale not advertisement like I see on all of the site they figure you're stupid or will never notice and it's the same with their Warranty.
I'm sorry but you only need one customer to tarnish your reputation, but they bet on volumes, GREAT! I can difference myself in going for quality, while they like the feel of money, I savor the refinement, the Rolls Royce pride and don't be shy to write and share your opinion, as for the guaranty if you damage your paddle contact me and send as many pictures as you can zooming on the edges everything, and I'll either send you a new one, not like this guy who's paddle was pretty beat up, and I did recognize the year cause I change tinny detail on the set up, so I told him four years don't you think it's a little far fetch, and he bought a new one.
I did have some period especially after the accident where I went and change the whole lamination, that year 50% broke and all were replaced.
My name is good and will stay, in almost 50 years thrust me I've seen a lot and fixed one problem at the time and the time was overdue for the grips. When you look at it, it almost was the definition of stupidity ( repeating the same procedure expecting a different outcome ). Well, my friend the shop has regain the respect due for. Also there will be a significant improvement over the blade finish I'm going to apply a sealer Epoxy top with Acrylic anti UV protection and this is very important because the UV rays affect Epoxy more then anything else, this will save about 0.15 oz, also the handles are wet sanded with 1200 grit, just like the shaft, so less chance of chalices on your fingers.
47 years I've put my gut and sweat all I have into making the best tool in my hand on 32 years of racing, World Championship, ect..
I'm a very picky guy I can always spot when something is off, the guitar making is helpful in this domain.
Well, that's it, don't forget write to me via Instagram I'd like to ear from you all and I can respond to any question regarding Flat water Canoe Racing like fixing your equipment any subject!!..
LEVAS.
