At Shaw & Tenney we think an artisan paddle should be just that, a work of art, not just a colorful pattern on a piece of wood. We also believe that every paddle we make, whether it’s hanging above your hearth or in the boat house ready for the next adventure, should be of the same exceptional quality and functionality. If you hang around the shop you will hear us refer to our artisan paddles as the "non traditional use of our traditional products" and that is truly what they are. Paddles designed to be used but too beautiful to not hang on the wall or prop in the corner as a reminder of your love of the water.
What defines our Signature Paddles is the finish applied, but really it starts at the wood pile. For our artisan paddles we start with a hand - picked board which stands out from the rest in the pile. Then our craftsman hand-craft the paddle using the same techniques and much of the same machinery we have used since 1858. The result is a hand crafted wooden paddle ready for the rigors of a week long canoe trip, or in this case, a beautiful "canvas" for an artist beginning the process of creating a Shaw & Tenney Artisan Paddle.
Below we highlight each of our Signature Series artisan canoe paddles. Each artisan paddle has a unique story to tell and while most of these paddles will likely be displayed, they are made, like all Shaw & Tenney products, to be used and to last a lifetime.
The Casagrain Series
We are extremely pleased to introduce The Casagrain Series to our Signature Paddle Line.
Our Casagrain Series artisan paddles feature a unique, original pen & ink drawing by Artist Gary Casagrain. Stunning works of art, they are very limited and we offer only a few each year.
At his studio in Tupper Lake, New York, Gary creates each paddle as a one of a kind masterpiece on wood. The scenes capture the essence of the Adirondacks history, wildlife, and boating legacy. There are no two artisan paddles from Gary’s studio alike. Please contact us at Shaw & Tenney for availability.
Gary and Barb Casagrain offer many oil paintings, drawings, prints, and other art created by Gary at Casagrain Gallery in Tupper Lake, NY. Learn more at casagraingallery.com
Paddle Forward, Give Back
Our Paddle Forward, Give Back paddles honor the organizations they represent, The Northern Forest Canoe Trail, The Maine Wardens Service, and The Downeast Lakes Land Trust.
The shaft of each paddle is hand painted in the colors of each organization by a local Orono artist. A portion of the sale of each paddle is donated back to the organization to support their work.
River Series Artisan Paddles
Our first River Series Paddle, The Allagash, celebrates the Wilderness Waterway 50th Anniversary in 2016.
An intricate hand drawn map of the Waterway by our own Sam Martinelli (General Manager and paddler extraordinaire) is engraved on the blade of our handcrafted ash beavertail blade.