Spruce Oars

I'm looking for a nice pair of spruce oars, I know a bunch of you have them but I don't know where you get them, I am looking for suggestions or a place to buy a pair. I don't want ash oars because of the weight, I mostly float flat water here in Idaho. Looking for recommendations, thanks.

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Permalink Reply by mlwebb on November 8, 2010 at 1:27am
I would second the make your own idea, I just posted some photos of a set of laminated spruce oars I finished yesterday. I followed Ray Heater's suggestion of a full 2" at the oarlock (tapering to about 1 1/2 at the neck), which with leathers is about 2 5/16 at the oarlock. My oars are 8'-8", and weigh about 5 3/4 lbs each. They took a bit of work, but were a fun project, and less than $100 pair (counting the leathers).
Michael
Permalink Reply by Dan Burr on November 8, 2010 at 6:59am
I ended up buying the 9' spruce oars from Barkley Sound and I love them, they are so light in the water that initially I thought something was wrong. I wrapped them with a good nylon braided rope. I have not done anything to the end of the blades yet, I'll probably do what Ray and AJ do to theirs, round the blades a bit and a good soak in oil. These oars are so much lighter to turn over, especially in heavy water, I have found new energy and can hold my boat better for the guy throwing the fly. I'm selling two sets of other oars in anyone is interested, ( Sawyers and Cataracks) and buying another set of Barkley's for my other boat.
Permalink Reply by Lawrence E. Long on November 9, 2010 at 6:18am
Just looked at the pictures of your hand made oars. They are elegant showing some real craftsmanship. The square looms help with the ballance without resorting to lead weights etc. The leathers being sewed on will not have any problems with tacks letting moisture into the wood. I like to preserve and waterproof the leathers with home made tallow. Get some beef tallow- the same stuff I put into my bird feeders- render it down and rub it in while it is still warm.
Great Job!
Permalink Reply by Troy Nicolls on November 9, 2010 at 8:49pm
Michael
I really like the pics of your homemade oars. I'd love to make a pair myself. Did you have plans or instructions, or did you just build them to your own design. If you have the time, I'd love to hear a brief dissertation on how you made such beautiful oars. Design, tools, techniques, etc,.

Troy
Permalink Reply by mlwebb on November 10, 2010 at 12:37pm
Troy-
I'll pull my oar stuff together for a blog post, with some sources. Hopefully I'll also get some pics up of progress on my flycatcher (AKA slightly stretched Trapper).
Michael
Permalink Reply by Randy Dersham on November 10, 2010 at 1:44pm
http://barkleysoundoar.com/Product.htm#products is the link to the Barkley Sound Company. Scroll down to find their Drift Boat oar.

Prices are Canadian, you will need to give them a call. I've ordered from Canada without issues.
Permalink Reply by Stephen Blalock on April 25, 2011 at 4:00pm
I like barkley sound oars also!  I have used them for years!  I am refinishing them now and will post pictures when done.  I may try BLO turpentine and varnish mix. 
Permalink Reply by Dan Burr on April 25, 2011 at 4:13pm
I bought a pair last year and love them, they are so much lighter than the old sawyers I was using, it took me a bit to get used to the extra horse power I had been  to applying.

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