Gunflint Canoe Paddle

Bent shaft available in 48-54" lengths, Straight Shaft available in 54-60" lengths. Made to order.

Named for the Gunflint Trail in Northern Minnesota, the Gunflint paddle is the most versatile and popular paddle offered by Sanborn Canoe Co, designed to tackle any of the narrow streams,winding rivers, and broad lakes that the area is known for. The large surface area of the paddle’s blade makes it easy to get your canoe moving with only a few strokes, and has loads of power on offer when the current or wind is against you. Because it keeps its width right to the bottom it maintains excellent power even in shallow-water conditions where a longer blade couldn’t be sufficiently submerged. 

Sanborn paddles are also normally delivered with the grip unfinished. Ultimately this means you can finish the grip how you prefer; we recommend an oil finish, as it's extremely smooth, comfortable even after a full day of paddling, and it is simple and easy to maintain. It’s a bit more effort, but it’s well worth it. For an nominal fee, we can pre-oil the grip for you prior to shipping, but you'll still want to maintain the grip oil over its life. Click Here to learn more about caring for your paddle grip. 

The Gunflint comes with an array of options allowing you a dedicated paddle that perfectly conforms to your needs. A 12° Bent-Shaft option offers maximum power and bite to propel your canoe even in strong headwinds and rapid currents, while a straight-shaft option allows for more deft ruddering-strokes and a more traditional look and feel. The Gunflint is also offered in three different durability choices: Standard, Wilderness, and Ultralight. The Standard option utilizes Cedar and Aspen with a fiberglass coating to offer a lightweight paddle that perfectly balances weight and durability without sacrificing affordability, making it our most popular choice. If you’re pushing off rocks or tackling tricky currents in narrow rivers or streams, step up to the Wilderness option. Walnut, Ash, and Cherry hardwoods supplement the standard features to offer a tougher paddle that handles almost anything you can throw at it while only adding a few ounces to the weight. But if your trips require long portages or all-day paddling endurance, consider the Ultralight option. The thinner blade is backed with carbon fiber, and the shaft thinned relative to the standard model, making an extremely comfortable, lightweight paddle that still feels like a feather even after hours of paddling. Because of the reduced weight, this paddle should only be touching air or water; no shoving off rocks with this option.  

Lastly, you can only love a paddle that fits you perfectly. The Gunflint is offered in a range of lengths to suit any paddler. Click Here to learn how to find the paddle length that’s perfect for you.